The Brandywine Conservancy is leading an ambitious new initiative to further protect and elevate the natural and cultural treasures of the Greater Brandywine Valley region. The project is a cooperative effort, engaging with residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, and local governments to designate the Greater Brandywine Valley in Pennsylvania and Delaware as a National Heritage Area.

What it means for our region

A National Heritage Area (NHA) is a place designated by the United States Congress where natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources combine to form a cohesive, national distinctive landscape. They are lived-in landscapes where collaboration with the community is key to success. Designation does not involve any federal regulation or ownership of private property and participations is entirely voluntary.

To date, 62 National Heritage Areas have been designated across 36 states including eight in Pennsylvania. These Heritage Areas span from the Hudson River Valley in New York to the Northern Rio Grande River in New Mexico to the coast of Washington. Our two neighboring Heritage Areas, the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area (encompassing the Schuylkill River watershed from Schuylkill County to Philadelphia) and the Susquehanna National Heritage Area (covering York and Lancaster Counties), are also Pennsylvania designated State Heritage Areas. This additional designation will be sought for the Pennsylvania portion of the region during this initiative as most of the work and requirements overlap. 

Designation provides tremendous benefits to the regions by increasing connections between various stakeholders that can lead to tangible results like natural resource conservation, trail connections, historic property rehabilitation, and educational programming. NHAs boost the local economy through tourism and supporting community jobs. All the activities that result from NHA collaboration are based on a community’s history and traditions, and on its residents’ interest in interpreting the area for current and future generations. 

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Next steps

Gaining designation is a long and complex process that starts with coalition building of a broad array of constituents followed by a detailed feasibility study that identifies if the region meets the criteria set by the National Park Service. Only then, once determined feasible, does the National Heritage Area make it to the Congressional floor where our representatives promote and vote on its designation.

In coordination with partner organizations, Brandywine is currently working with Point Heritage Development Consulting, headed by Dr. Nancy Morgan, as a project consultant to complete a comprehensive feasibility study for the initiative. The firm was chosen for their expertise regarding the multi-layered nature of National Heritage Areas, the feasibility study process, and experience with legislative advocacy.

Now underway, the feasibility study is a 14-month process, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of both the Untied States in 2026 and the Battle of Brandywine in 2027. If the Greater Brandywine Valley ultimately receives designation status as a National Heritage Area, it will become a lasting legacy of the 250 anniversary celebrations. Regional themes, resource identification, formal boundaries, and program management are some of the items covered in a study of this scope, and public engagement will also be a key component of its success..

Landscapes that tell our story

With its unique culture, rich history, and outstanding natural resources forming a complex and layered landscape, the Greater Brandywine Valley is more than worthy of designation and cal easily meet the necessary criteria. After all, the splendor of this area has been written and painted about for centuries—it has been the landscape of battle and freedom, and a place of ingenuity and development. The collective story of this incredible place is worth being told, and designation can only heighten the innovative and exemplary work already underway.