Location(s) Clearfield Heritage ParkClearfield, PASee map: Google MapsI talked to some folks from Clearfield County, PA yesterday at Fort Roberdeau who told me about a VERY ambitious project they're doing -- they're building a heritage park to tell the stories of the

Location(s) PennDOT District 5 officeAllentown, PASee map: Google MapsI found myself in Allentown, PA today. Up til now, all I knew of Allentown was the Billy Joel song.

Location(s) Bellefonte Train Station320 West High Street, Bellefonte, PA, 16823See map: Google Maps

Location(s) Arts revivalButte, MTSee map: Google MapsWhere are the arts making a big comeback?  In Butte, Montana. An article in today's New York Times (click the link below for the story) describes how the historic town is revitalizing itself with a growing arts community.  Butte was founded in the 19th century as a company town built to support the copper mining operations.  When the copper mine closed, so did the town, almost.  In its wake, a stock of well made buildings were left vacant downtown.  Sound familiar?  Across America, many towns and cities have enjoyed the boom and suffered through the bust as changing needs gut local economies of their once vital industries. 

There's an article in today's New York Times that describes the fate of many historic house museums across the United States (you can read the article, "Homes sell, and history goes private" at http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/us/31preserve.html?ex=1325221200&en=d1a820285e884ee7&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss).  For many, admissions and support are down, and the need for costly repairs is rising.  Many of these homes are being offered for sale to private owners, and may never open to the public again.