Travelers who enjoy immersing themselves in history will find that Pennsylvania has a lot to offer. From early Colonial and Revolutionary history in the state’s biggest city, Philadelphia, to Civil War battlefields in Gettysburg, the Quaker State is a treasure trove for anyone keen on a journey back in time. But beyond its famous destinations, Pennsylvania’s smaller towns often hold some of the most charming and unexpected glimpses into the past. Not too far away from Gettysburg is a boomtown borough called New Freedom, where history fiends will find nostalgic architecture and railroad history with a side of tasty grub.
A stroll along the sidewalks of the town’s gently sloping Main Street reveals stately Colonial-style mansions standing between towering trees. Homesteaders settled in what is now New Freedom as far back as the 1780s, establishing a rural agricultural village. As the century progressed, the Northern Central Railway transformed the place into a booming hub. In fact, it’s the railway that carried President Abraham Lincoln to make the now-legendary speech in Gettysburg. Not only is the rail depot included on the National Register of Historic Places, but steam locomotives still regularly whisk passengers along the tracks for a sightseeing journey back to the time of the Civil War.
Aside from puffing trains, history fiends can learn even more about the borough’s past at the Heritage Museum, while outdoor enthusiasts can trek along the Heritage Rail Trail to bask in Pennsylvania’s forested countryside landscapes. What’s more, New Freedom is scattered with a handful of local bars and cute cafes for travelers to enjoy a satisfying meal. Gettysburg locals can drive east to the borough in just under an hour, while road-trippers in Wilmington, Delaware are about two hours away by car…