Founded under Quaker William Penn’s ideals of equality and nonconformity, Pennsylvania, including the North East quickly developed into a melting pot of cultural and economic firsts that continues even today. Comprised mainly of the metropolitan areas of Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Allentown, and Williamsport along with their suburbs North Eastern Pennsylvania was founded on cultural and economic diversity. Cities built on commercial, mining, and manufacturing prosperity have continued evolving into the one of the region’s leading cultural, entertainment, and retail centers.
Cities built upon mining, manufacturing, and transportation have overcome economic difficulty and have evolved to appeal to the needs of an increasingly diverse and educated population. Specialty retail, fine art, and multi-culturally influenced music have replaced heavy industry to breathe new life into the once narrow economies of Northern and Eastern Pennsylvania. Already remembered in history for being a state of firsts, Pennsylvania continues to be on the cutting edge of culturally evolution well into the modern century.
Written by Marietta Dooley
