Although fascinating, canal history remains one of the hidden stories of America's past. Yet canals were integral to the country's growth, providing the first long-distance "highways" that penetrated America's interior. Their importance was short-lived but came at a time when the United States was establishing itself as an industrial power. Without canals and their ability to transfer natural resources, manufactured products, and thousands of immigrants seeking a new life, America's transition from a farm-based economy to one based on heavy industry would have been delayed by several decades.
Following Lafayette’s Footsteps Across Bucks County
Written by Jessica Lordi, DLNHC intern
There are many cities and towns in the United States…
The 1910 Bethlehem Steel Strike: The Failed Protest That Changed U.S. Labor Law
Posted February 11, 2026 by Daniel DiBellaBethlehem Steel Strike of 1910
Written by Carter Drake, DLNHC Museum Coordinator
The National Canal Museum hosted a special exhibition from April…
Flooding Along the Delaware and Lehigh: A History of Turbulent Waters
Posted January 7, 2026 by Daniel DiBellaThe Freshet of 1841
Written by Wendi Blewett, DLNHC Museum Collections Manager
The Delaware and Lehigh Rivers are no strangers to flooding.…
James Blakslee’s Daring Canal Journey: A Forgotten Tale from the 1830s
Posted December 10, 2025 by Daniel DiBellaJames Blakslee’s Voyage on Pennsylvania’s Canals
Written by Martha Capwell Fox, DLNHC Historian
On April 1st, 1833, James Irwin Blakslee, recently turned…
Bucks County Through the Centuries: Facts, Firsts, and Legacy
Posted November 11, 2025 by Daniel DiBellaFrom 1682 to Today: The Story of Bucks County
Written by Wendi Blewett, DLNHC Collections Manager
Bucks County is the oldest county…
Written by Martha Capwell Fox, DLNHC Historian
When we talk or write about the industrial history of the Heritage Corridor, we…
From Industry to Ecology: The Story of Lehigh Gap’s Transformation
Posted September 10, 2025 by Daniel DiBellaThe Landscape Suffers and Heals
For years, Lehigh Gap was both an industrial hub and a place of recreation. In the…
George Harvan’s Journey from Occupied Japan to Pennsylvania’s Coal Mines
Posted August 13, 2025 by Daniel DiBellaGeorge Harvan’s Journey From Japan to PA Coal Mines
On August 14, 1945, Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced his country’s surrender, ending…
