In early 2014, a committee of historically minded citizens began planning for the County’s 200th Anniversary in 2020. Perry County was part of Cumberland County for several generations until geographical, political, and economic differences led to the establishment of a new district named after Oliver Hazard Perry, a Pennsylvania patriot from the War of 1812.
Meeting regularly the Committee set several goals for the Bicentennial Celebration:
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Develop a Heritage Trail for Perry County marked by National Park grade profile markers that tell the story of our towns, covered bridges, historic sites, and outstanding personages.
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Place QR codes on the historic markers that lead to this Perry County Heritage Trail website.
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Create a website to include a Heritage Trail map of Perry County, listing historic marker information and sites, and the locations of important landmarks such as early schools, churches, businesses, cemeteries, covered bridges, mills, factories, homes of famous Perry Countians, legacy farms and properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
By the end of 2020, the Trail was comprised of 113 markers, 23 are found at the Bicentennial Plaza in the Lynn Schafer Dum Memorial Park in Elliottsburg. This plaza has become a destination site for visitors and local citizens alike as it is a chronological history of the county capturing the story from Native American habitation to Covid-19. Due to the pandemic closing ceremonies and dedication of the plaza were delayed until 2021. We are indebted to all sponsors of the plaza and markers. We appreciate the hard work of those who constructed the plaza and the generosity of all sponsors who made this legacy possible for generations to come.
