Efforts are underway to restore rail service to a Centre County historical site for tourism excursions.
The Roland Curtin Foundation is seeking grant funding “for the reconstruction of rail elements” that were once present at Eagle Ironworks and Curtin Village near Milesburg, foundation president Sue Hannegan told the Centre County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.
Commissioners unanimously endorsed a letter supporting the foundation’s request for a $2.3 million grant from America250PA’s infrastructure improvement program.
Funding would be used to “reconstruct the company store, the railroad station and the siding [track], and the amenities that are needed to make that a premier destination for rail excursions in Centre County and beyond,” Hannegan said.
America250PA is the commonwealth’s chapter of a national celebration for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A bipartisan Infrastructure Improvements and Projects Committee led by state legislators is evaluating proposals for initiatives “that add to either the historical preservation or ways that highlight the history of Pennsylvania,” Commissioner Amber Concepcion explained.
America250 projects must begin or be completed by 2026.
“This clearly fits square in the middle of highlighting what is important history in Pennsylvania,” Concepcion said.
Founded in 1810 with the establishment of the ironworks, Curtin Village was constructed as a self-sustaining community for workers, along with the ironmaster’s home, Curtin Mansion. The Roland Curtin Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the site, which is expected to be transferred to the foundation’s ownership from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission pending legislative approval.
The Curtin Village project is one component of a larger initiative countywide to connect historical destinations by rail.
Multiple parties are involved in joint effort to connect historical sites along the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER) spur that runs from Milesburg to Bellefonte to Lemont, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau President and CEO Fritz Smith.
Commissioners also approved a letter supporting the bureau’s $1 million grant application to America250PA for the project.
The grant would help fund “rail cars, rehabilitation of stock, railroad construction for any siding track needed to link the tourism destinations such as relay rail, railroad ties, ballast stones, et cetera,” Smith said.
The long-term goal is to connect historical sites all along the NBER, which is owned by the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, from its eastern end at Lock Haven in Clinton County to the western end at Tyrone in Blair County, “but that’s probably a next step beyond the America 250 project,” Smith said.
Hannegan noted that an agreement is already in place between SEDA-COG and the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society for running passenger service along the line.
“It has the potential really to increase visitation here to Centre County and also to Curtin Village as well,” Hannegan said.
Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Higgins said other counties successfully link historical sites by rail.
“I know a number of other areas with the type of history that we have here in Centre County do connect them by rail,” Higgins said. “It makes for a more interesting experience, a little bit different for people from out of the county, but I know the kids in the county and from surrounding counties absolutely love being on historic train cars. Those tickets sell out like a rock concert.”w
