Culture

February 14, 2022

Celebrate Black History: Julia Collins and her novel

Did you know that the first female African-American novelist was born and raised in the PA Wilds? Celebrate Black History Month by learning and celebrating the life of novelist Julia Collins who lived and wrote in the PA Wilds.

February 2, 2022

Groundhogs – Just the facts

Happy Groundhog Day from the PA Wilds! As you celebrate Punxsutawney Phil, learn some facts about the groundhog species!

January 20, 2022

‘Healthy Invisible Roots’: The Brick Block of Johnsonburg

In the Elk Country landscape of the PA Wilds, there is new life being breathed into the historic structures of Johnsonburg. Healthy Invisible Roots weave through this blog about a historic-structure triage situation stewarded into rejuvenation, in a Pennsylvania Wilds mountain borough.

January 17, 2022

Adventures of William Raymond

What are the odds someone would be a soldier, a singer, and also make a movie appearance long after his death? Well, for one man in Lock Haven, the odds were pretty good. Let Lou Bernard introduce you to William Raymond.

January 10, 2022

Can’t-miss stops during a day trip to Punxsutawney

Punxsutawney Phil is an international household name. But did you know that in the Punxsutawney community there’s a whole host of groundhog-related activities that you can participate in during a day trip? Explore all the awesome things that Punxsutawney has to offer!

January 3, 2022

The Civil War Sub and the discovery of lost silver

A Civil War submarine, a natural genius, and a discovery of silver treasure - this story has it all. Learn about a Frenchman from Philadelphia named Brutus DeVilleroi, who designed a submarine in the 1850s, owned land here in the PA Wilds, and possibly discovered a vein of silver...

December 23, 2021

North Pole in the PA Wilds

Just in time for the holidays, Lou Bernard tells a tale of two men who found the North Pole...in the PA Wilds.

December 4, 2021

SHC mystery in the Dark Skies Landscape

Lou Bernard delves into the mystery of spontaneous human combustion (SHC) that occurred in 1966 in the Dark Skies Landscape of the PA Wilds.

November 25, 2021

Something’s fishy in the forest

Something's fishy...in the forest? Learn about PA's charismatic fisher (Pekania pennanti), whose population has made a comeback over the last century.

November 22, 2021

Helen Keller visits the PA Wilds

Helen Keller visited the PA Wilds in April of 1926 doing work for American Foundation For The Blind in Williamsport when she made a quick trip to Lock Haven.