Mark N. Platts, President
Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area
Although we knew our 10th anniversary week would be a big milestone for SGHA, we didn't quite expect it to be earthshaking. But that's what happened Tuesday as a once-a-century earthquake rumbled north from its epicenter in Virginia. As the floors in our historic office at the Zimmerman Center rattled and pictures vibrated on the walls, we took some comfort in working in a building that has likely survived at least two other such tremors over its almost 300-year-old lifetime.
With that long arc of history surrounding us every day at the Zimmerman Center, ten years of work seems like only a down payment on our mission to enhance regional quality of life and economic vitality through heritage preservation, conservation and interpretation. Nonetheless, much has been achieved since Governor Tom Ridge's designation of Lancaster and York counties as a Pennsylvania Heritage Area in 2001. We've launched new websites, maps and guides, released a heritage film, sponsored tours and exhibits, secured a river art collection, completed plans and studies for conservation and community enhancement, helped preserve thousands of acres of scenic riverlands and created new parks and preserves. To finance these projects, SGHA leveraged $1.4 million in local public investment to help attract over $9.8 million in state and federal funds and $3.9 million in private donations for heritage tourism and conservation initiatives.
The 2007 gift of the historic Dritt Mansion marked a turning point for our organization. Through the generosity of John and Kathryn Zimmerman, SGHA became the steward of a remarkable riverfront property at the heart of our region. We also adopted a new river-focused Strategic Plan and a new name to showcase our region's role as a gateway to river history and adventure. These developments helped position SGHA as a leader of regional heritage and conservation initiatives along the Susquehanna, including the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network, Susquehanna Greenway and Lower Susquehanna Conservation Landscape Initiative.
SGHA's success stems from the strong foundation of community vision and partnership that paved the way for state designation. As recognized by Governor Ridge in his August 22, 2001 proclamation, designation of the Heritage Area was "the culmination of an effective planning and public participation process that brought together private and public sector representatives from both Lancaster and York counties." We are grateful for all those who participated in that process and laid the groundwork for the efforts to follow.
We'll be celebrating our 10th birthday with the launch of an exciting new website next week and our 3rd Annual River Experience event on September 17th. We invite you to stay engaged and help support our work to preserve, protect and share our region's rich history and natural wonders with residents and visitors alike.
Mark Platts is President of the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area
Visit our new website next week at www.SusquehannaHeritage.org
