Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, isn’t just a destination—it’s a journey through time. From towering steam locomotives to deep coal mines and historic city streets, this region offers students an unforgettable look at America’s industrial and social history.
For those eager to step out of the classroom and into the stories of the past, there’s no better place to start.
Steamtown National Historic Site: Riding the Rails of History
The adventure begins at Steamtown National Historic Site, where massive steam engines, relics of a bygone era, stand proudly on display. Inside the roundhouse, mechanics restore these iron giants with the same precision and dedication they did over a century ago. Students watch in awe as their guide explains how railroads fueled America’s growth, revolutionizing industry and travel. Stepping aboard a restored locomotive, they experience the rumble of history beneath their feet as the train rolls forward on its short yet immersive journey along the historic tracks.
The Electric City Trolley Station & Museum: Innovation in Motion
The journey continues at The Electric City Trolley Station & Museum, where Scranton’s legacy as a transportation pioneer shines. Known as “The Electric City” for being the first successful electric streetcar in the country, Scranton once led the way in urban mobility. The museum showcases beautifully restored trolley cars, each a testament to the progress of a bygone era. Students climb aboard a working trolley and take a ride along a historic rail route, passing scenic landscapes and gliding through a tunnel over a century old. The hum of the electric motor and the clatter of the wheels evoke a time when streetcars transformed city life.
Descend into History: The Lackawanna Coal Mine
From the heights of rail innovation, students next descend into the depths of Pennsylvania’s coal industry. At The Lackawanna Coal Mine, they travel 300 feet underground into the cool, dimly lit tunnels where miners once toiled. A retired miner leads the way, describing the grueling conditions, the constant danger, and the resilience of those who labored here. The faint flicker of lanterns against coal walls provides a haunting reminder of the sacrifices that fueled America’s energy boom. This firsthand experience brings to life the struggles and triumphs of workers whose efforts powered entire cities.
Destination Freedom: The Underground Railroad Walking Tour
The final stop is a poignant one. The Destination Freedom Underground Railroad Walking Tour offers a window into a different kind of journey—the perilous quest for freedom. As students walk through Lackawanna County’s historic streets, they hear stories of formerly enslaved individuals who found refuge in the Scranton area. Standing before buildings that once served as safe houses, they learn about the abolitionists who risked everything to help them. This tour does more than recount history—it makes it personal, connecting past struggles to present-day conversations about justice and equality.
Where Education Meets Experience
By the end of the trip, students don’t just leave with facts—they depart with a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped America. They’ve felt the steam of a locomotive, the weight of a miner’s labor, the excitement of early electric transit, and the courage of those who sought freedom.
Lackawanna County isn’t just a stop on the map—it’s a living, breathing history lesson. For students and educators alike, it’s an opportunity to explore, question, and connect with the past in a way no textbook ever could.
Learn more at https://www.visitnepa.org.
Photo courtesy of Todd Hiller Photography.
