East Coventry Township was recently awarded a $25,000 planning grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The mission of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is to discover, protect and share Pennsylvania’s past. This grant will be used to prepare architectural and engineering plans for the restoration of the Ellis Hoffman House in the historic Frick's Lock Village, located at the north end of Frick’s Lock Road.
Frick's Lock Village is an example of one the few remaining canal villages in southeastern Pennsylvania. The village grew around the operation of the Schuylkill Canal, which supported the anthracite coal industry between Pottsville and eastern markets. Along the towpaths, mules pulled barges of coal from Port Carbon through the water gaps to Pottsville and to the port and markets of Philadelphia. The canal was in operation from 1825 to 1931.
The Schuylkill River Trail's Frick's Lock Trailhead, which opened in 2022, is located adjacent to the project site. The trailhead includes a restored building, pavilion, bike repair station and parking. This grant will help to preserve the Ellis Hoffman House and maintain the rich history that East Coventry has to offer.
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