The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a unique place, known as one of the nation’s most important industrial centers for coal, steel and railroads, and also an integral place in the start of our nation’s history. There’s farmland and factories, diverse people and food.
There are some things here you simply can’t see anywhere else.
The Birthplace of American Independence
Philadelphia’s historic district is arguably one of the richest in the country. Old City is a modern neighborhood best known for sites like Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Betsy Ross House.
In Independence Hall in 1776, the Founding Fathers came together to sign the Declaration of Independence and, 11 years later, write the U.S. Constitution.
The Liberty Bell has long been a symbol of the nation, used by the likes of abolitionists, suffragists, Civil Rights advocates, Native Americans, immigrants, and war protestors.
The city still has many cobblestone streets, parks, and cemeteries of old left to walk about.
The Largest Warhol Collection in the World
Next time you’re checking out Pittsburgh houses for sale swing by the Andy Warhol Museum. Not only is it the largest collection specific to Warhol, it’s also the biggest museum dedicated to a single artist in North America.
Within is 900 paintings, close to 2,000 works on paper, over 1,000 published unique prints, 77 sculptures, 4,000 photographs, and over 4,350 Warhol films and videotaped works.
Warhol was born in Pittsburgh, and became a leader in the visual art movement of pop art in the 1960s.
Where Michael Scott of The Office Lives
NBC’s hit comedy takes place in Scranton, a city in the northeast that actually does have a paper company within it (though it’s not Dunder Mifflin).
Scranton, also known as The Electric City, was nicknamed as such when electric lights were introduced in 1880 at the Dickson Manufacturing Company. Six years later, the nation’s first streetcars powered only by electricity began operating here.
It’s also known for the Steamtown National Historic Site, which has century-old locomotives set on a former rail yard.
Fans of the show can take a self-guided tour, checking out places like Poor Richard’s Pub, Alfredo’s Pizza Café, and a Dwight Schrute mural.
A Whole Lot of Elephants…and Candy
Of course, Gettysburg is known for its incredible history and war sites – but if you want to lighten things up, head to Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium.
There are more than 900 varieties of candy and 100 flavors of fudge to choose from, as well as over 12,000 elephant figurines on display.
It began as The Area’s Most Unusual General Store in 1975 and evolved into what it is today. Mister Ed received his first elephant as a wedding gift, bought a few more on his honeymoon, and eventually, family and friends added to his collection, which is now on display.
Ed himself passed away in the spring of 2021, and the store is currently run by his granddaughter Nicole and her husband Isaac.