Culture
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How Philadelphia’s John Fitch Launched America’s First Steamboat on the Delaware River in 1787
Long before Robert Fulton became a household name, a lesser-known inventor was already churning up the Delaware River. In 1787, John Fitch launched what is widely recognized as America’s first functioning passenger and freight steamboat right here in Philadelphia, writes Violet Comber-Wilen for Billy Penn at WHYY. His original 45-foot vessel was a radical idea…
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Bucks County’s Top Indoor and Outdoor Rock Climbing Spots
Whether you’re a seasoned climber or someone who’s never left the ground, Bucks County and the greater Philadelphia region have more rock climbing opportunities than most people realize, writes Kalena Thomhave for The Keystone. At Ralph Stover State Park in Pipersville, the High Rocks Climbing Area rises 150 feet above Tohickon Creek Gorge, drawing climbers…
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New Hope Preserve Among Best Places to Enjoy Wildflowers in Pennsylvania
New Hope is home to one of the six places in Pennsylvania where you can enjoy both vivid fall foliage and gorgeous autumn wildflowers, writes Kalena Thomhave for The Keystone. Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve boasts 4.5 miles of trails that lead you through forests, past streams, and across many meadows. You will be able to…
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“Make a Left at the Airplane”: The Story Behind Penndel’s Most Iconic Landmark
For decades, one phrase instantly told people they were in Lower Bucks County: “Make a left at the airplane.” Long before GPS, nearly everybody knew exactly what that meant. The Airplane Family Restaurant and Diner in Penndel was one of Bucks County’s most unforgettable landmarks. Sitting at the corner of Route 1 and Durham Road,…
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Levittown Photographer’s ‘Stranger Sessions’ Go Viral After Bucks County Shoot Sparks Real Romance
Amanda Johnson, a photographer from Levittown, takes photos of strangers meeting for the first time, and her latest pictures have gone viral, writes Marcella Baietto for CBS News. Johnson enjoys playing matchmaker, offering what she calls “stranger sessions.” “I get two strangers together and we have fun, take a photo shoot, and apparently the internet…
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Bucks County Hotel, in Operation for Over 300 Years, Hits the Market
One of Bucks County’s most well-known hotels has hit the market, and sellers are asking a hefty price for the old estate. JD Mullane wrote about the estate for Yahoo! Sports. The Langhorne Hotel, one of the oldest continuously operated inns in Bucks County, has hit the market for $2.5 million, This historic inn has…
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Pennsylvania’s Other 250-Year-Old Document Deserves Its Own Celebration
As we reach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is natural to focus on that world-changing document. However, the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, written in that same era, deserves just as much attention. While the U.S. Constitution is more famous, Pennsylvania’s original state constitution was actually older and, in several key ways,…
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How to Spend a Perfect Summer Day at Nockamixon State Park
Before most people finish their first cup of coffee, kayaks are already cutting across the glassy surface of Lake Nockamixon. Hikers are lacing up in the parking lot. A sailboat drifts toward the middle of the lake without a sound. This is Nockamixon State Park at its best. And if you time it right, it…
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Philadelphia’s Centennial Exposition 1876: The World’s Fair That Changed Everything
Philadelphia played a defining role in the history of world fairs by hosting the Centennial Exposition, the first official world’s fair in the United States, writes Heidi Mitchell for The Wall Street Journal. Held in 1876 in Fairmount Park to celebrate the nation’s 100th anniversary, the exposition introduced millions of visitors to emerging technologies and…
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These Three Major Pop Stars Have Bucks County Roots
Three major pop stars who are known all around the world all grew up in Bucks County, writes Gianna for 94.5 PST. Pink, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore, is a Doylestown Township native. Over the years, she has released many mega-hits that we all know and loves, including “So What?”, “Perfect”, and “Just…
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Philadelphia Historic Register Eyes Chinatown Factory That Revolutionized American Cosmetics
The former Tetlow Manufacturing Company building in Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood could soon earn a place on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, writes Aaron Moselle for WHYY. Located at 10th and Cherry streets, the five-story factory became home to the cosmetics company in the 1880s and is now being considered for historic designation because of…
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Delaware River Tubing in Bucks County: Where to Go and What to Know
The current, especially after a good rain, does most of the work. That’s part of the appeal. Every summer, as temperatures climb and school lets out, thousands of people from Bucks County, Philadelphia, and the surrounding suburbs make their way to the Delaware River for tubing, kayaking, rafting, and full-day outdoor experiences. For many, it…
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Newtown Man Who Wrote Hundreds of Pen-Pal Letters to WWII Soldiers Honored 75 Years Later
More than 75 years after his death, a Newtown resident who quietly kept hundreds of soldiers connected to home during World War II was honored at his graveside, finally recognized as the “home front hero” he always was, reports Siafa Lewis for CBS Philadelphia. John Janney never wore a uniform or carried a rifle. Instead,…
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New Interactive Map Puts Bucks County’s Revolutionary War History on the Trail
Bucks County has launched a new interactive map showcasing the region’s deep ties to the Revolutionary War, just as the nation gears up for America’s 250th anniversary, writes Emily Neil for WHYY. The Revolutionary War Trail map pinpoints more than a dozen historic sites across the county connected to the founding of the United States,…
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Levittown Native David Uosikkinen of The Hooters Shares Story Behind Drum Set That Inspired Dave Grohl
It’s an incredibly special moment when rock legends get the chance to connect. David Uosikkinen, drummer for the hit 1980s rock band The Hooters and founder of In the Pocket, attended a Foo Fighters concert earlier this month at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, N.J. Before the performance, he was invited backstage by the band’s current drummer, Ilan Rubin, who had…
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Bucks County Lake Listed as One of the Best Spots for Bass Fishing in Pennsylvania
A lake in Bucks County is being recognized as one of the best spots in the state for a long-beloved outdoor activity. Brian Whipkey wrote about the local lake for GoErie. Nockamixon Lake, located within Nockamixon State Park in Quakertown, was listed amongst several large reservoirs in Pennsylvania where bass fishing is plentiful. A popular…
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This Covered Bridge in Solebury Township Is One of Bucks County’s Most Photographed and Most Haunted Spots
Not every landmark in Bucks County comes with a ghost story. The Van Sandt Covered Bridge does. Built in 1875 in Solebury Township, the bridge spans Pidcock Creek using a Town truss design, the signature lattice framework that made Pennsylvania’s covered bridges both sturdy and distinctive. At roughly 86 feet long, it was built for…
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Historic Rock Ford Leads Lancaster’s Role as an America250 Epicenter
As the nation gears up to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, one historic site in Lancaster is stepping into the spotlight as a key “epicenter” of the celebration: Historic Rock Ford. Tucked just beyond downtown and surrounded by the natural beauty of Lancaster County Central Park, Historic Rock Ford is more than a…
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