Settlement occurs on Mifflin House, preserving the historic Underground Railroad stop

Teresa Boeckel, York Daily Record
Updated ·4 min read

The Susquehanna National Heritage Area now owns the historic Mifflin House, a stop on the Underground Railroad that was under the threat of destruction years ago.

The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization, recently transferred the nearly 88-acre property near Route 30 in Hellam Township to the heritage area. The Mifflin property will become the Susquehanna Discovery Center, a new visitor center that provides public access and offers interpretation and education about the history of the area.

"Preserving the Mifflin House is not just about protecting a physical structure; it's about honoring the stories and contributions of those who came before us," Kyle Shenk, northeast regional director at the Conservation Fund, said in a news release. "We are proud to have played a role in ensuring that this important piece of history remains a source of inspiration and education for generations to come."

The Conservation Fund purchased the Mifflin House property last year for $5.5 million. The nonprofit had been serving as a temporary owner until its partners, including the Susquehanna National Heritage Area and Preservation Pennsylvania, could secure the funding pledged for the nearly 88-acre property.

Commissioners do not vote on grant for Mifflin farmstead

York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler said during the commissioners meeting Wednesday that settlement occurred last week on the property.

The Mifflin House near Wrightsville, Pa. was an Underground Railroad site, and its acreage served as a Confederate artillery battery site in the Civil War.
The Mifflin House near Wrightsville, Pa. was an Underground Railroad site, and its acreage served as a Confederate artillery battery site in the Civil War.

Last month, the commissioners voted 2-1 to give $750,000 toward completing land acquisition. Wheeler voted against it, citing county fiscal concerns. A few residents also spoke out against the allocation.

On Wednesday, the commissioners did not vote on a $50,000 Open Space and Land Preservation Grant for the Mifflin farmstead. Wheeler questioned what the money is for, considering that settlement already occurred last week.

Wade Gobrecht, assistant director of the York County Planning Commission, said the $50,000 is to help with costs associated with settlement. The deadline for the grant application was Sept. 30.

"My concern is that property settled last week, so I'd like to understand what additional funds are needed because the property's already been transferred," Wheeler said during the meeting.

County solicitor Deirdre Sullivan advised the commissioners that the motion was not worded properly considering that settlement has occurred. It might be more appropriate to resubmit the request as reimbursement for settlement costs.

Wheeler amended the motion to exclude the Mifflin property from the list of grants to be approved.

The commissioners voted 2-0 to approve the list of grants without the Mifflin farmstead. Vice President Commissioner Doug Hoke, who serves as a commissioner on the nonprofit boad, abstained.

Mark Platts, president of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, said the total sales price was $3.25 million plus $38,000 in additional settlement costs due at closing. The nonprofit paid $1.975 million at closing from grants and donations already received.

It still owes $1.275 million to be paid over two years as the nonprofit receives grant reimbursements and pledged funds from private foundations, Platts said. No interest will be paid.

The York County grant the heritage area is seeking would help to pay for the settlement and/or transaction costs included in the purchase price, he said.

Platts said he plans to provide more information to the county, and he hopes the grant will be approved as recommended by the planning commission's grant committee.

How the project was funded

Funding for the project came from a variety of sources including:

  • Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources C2PC Program

  • The County of York through its Open Space & Land Preservation Grant Program and other discretionary funds

  • Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through American Rescue Plan Act funding

  • A state gaming grant to Wrightsville borough

  • Local foundations, including the Powder Mill Foundation, the Arthur J. & Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation and the J. Wm. Warehime Foundation.

The nonprofit will begin a multi-year planning, design, fundraising and developement effort with the community to create the park, the release states.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Mifflin House into the Susquehanna National Heritage Area family," Platts said in the release. "This acquisition aligns seamlessly with our mission to connect the people and communities of Lancaster and York counties to one another and to the nation through stories about this nationally important place. We look forward to working with the community to ensure the Mifflin House continues to be a beacon of cultural significance for generations to come."

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Settlement occurs on Mifflin House, preserving the historic Underground Railroad stop