Posted: July 17, 2026 4:22 pm
Visit Johnstown sent the following press release on July 17, 2026! Heritage Johnstown is grateful for the engagement of Visit Johnstown, Vision Together, and the Train Station Capture Team.
To support community improvement and engage volunteers, Visit Johnstown announced it is the recipient of a $5,000 2026 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grant from America250PA and EQT Corporation, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and in support of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
The funds will be used to clean up and improve the grounds around the historic Johnstown Train Station at 47 Walnut Street and improve the viewing platform of the adjacent Pennsylvania Railroad Caboose for visitors.
Volunteers will be on site Monday, July 20th beginning at 9 AM to perform the cleanup work as part of Pennsylvania Day. The project is a collaboration with the Train Station Capture Team under Vision Together.
Visit Johnstown is pleased to receive this funding to improve the curb appeal and visitor experience at the train station,” says Lisa Rager, Visit Johnstown’s executive director. “We are one of seven grant awardees in the state which validates the importance of the train station as a cultural and historic landmark.”
Rager says the popularity of the Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014 locomotive passing through the area demonstrates the broad interest in railroading and the opportunity for the region to attract visitors to the area through its railroad-related attractions and sites.
America250PA and EQT Corporation, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and in support of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, awarded $32,500 in support of seven projects that aim to improve the community and engage volunteers. Projects include community cleanups, park improvements, revitalization efforts, river sweeps, graffiti abatement, and murals. Funding was provided by the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA), which was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Grants up to $5,000 were available to existing America250PA partners.
