The Nicholson Heritage Association (the Association) and the Wyoming County Commissioners are pleased to announce that the Nicholson Tourism Center at the Historic Delaware, Lackawanna and Western (DL&W) Railroad Station has received an $821,276 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for rehabilitation work. These funds will ensure that the 1849 railroad station is rehabilitated and saved for future generations.
The Nicholson Tourism Center at the Historic DL&W Railroad Station will revitalize the region by attracting tourists to the station, the Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct (also known as the Tunkhannock Viaduct or the Nicholson Bridge), Nicholson, Wyoming County, and the Endless Mountains. Additionally, the station will attract visitors to the region by linking to the area’s railroading and transportation attractions, including the Martins Creek Viaduct, Viaduct Valley Way Scenic Byway, Starrucca Viaduct and Steamtown National Historic Site.
“This is incredible for our town and region, we thank those individuals and partners who have tirelessly worked to get us this far. This grant will deliver our vision of preserving this historic station, one of very few left from this bygone era, and reuse it as a tourism center and a place for community events,” said Marion Sweet, Chair of the Nicholson Heritage Association. “Thanks to our dedicated team, we can now move forward.”
Grants Committee Chair, Josh Stull, continued, “The Association purchased the station only two years ago, and we’ve come a long way in that short time. While little physical work has been done, we’ve been determined and worked closely with our partners over the past several years to lay a solid foundation by gathering technical help, applying for grants and raising funds to rehabilitate and reuse the historic station. That time has come and we are excited for the project’s next phase.”
Wyoming County Commissioners Tom Henry, Judy Mead, and Ron Williams agreed in March 2014 to Wyoming County being the project sponsor for the PennDOT grant. “We are excited about this historic railroad preservation and economic development project,” said Commissioner Ron Williams. “It will have a positive impact on our county and region and we look forward to helping the Association see the Nicholson Tourism Center at the Historic DL&W Station to completion.”
In June 2012, the Association purchased the station with donations from individuals, businesses, and a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Project grant. With the feasibility study complete, thanks to a grant from the Endless Mountains Heritage Region with PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources funds and the designs finalized, thanks in part to a Tom E. Dailey Foundation grant, the Association can start bringing the historic station back to its former glory.
While the TAP grant will provide the funds needed to rehabilitate the station, donations continue to be needed to ensure the long term stability of the project and are greatly appreciated. Donations accepted either by mail to the historical group at P.O. Box 496, Nicholson, PA 18446 or PayPal. More information and a list of our supporters can be found at http://www.nicholsonstation.org.
The Nicholson Heritage Association was established in 1989 as a non-profit organization in anticipation of the 75th anniversary of the Nicholson Bridge, and is dedicated to the historical preservation of Nicholson and the surrounding region. The Association continues to play an active role in the community through many initiatives, including purchasing U.S. flags for local businesses.
Besides the station renovation project, the Association meets regularly to discuss initiatives that include the upcoming 100th anniversary celebration of the Nicholson Bridge set for Sept. 11 to 13, 2015, in Nicholson. The next Nicholson Heritage Association meeting will take place at 7 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the First Presbyterian Church, 65 State Street, in Nicholson.
For updates on the 100th celebration and other efforts, please visit http:www.nicholsonheritage.org or visit Nicholson Heritage Association on Facebook and Twitter.