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See Zimmerman Center for Heritage
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The place
About Zimmerman Center for Heritage
The Zimmerman Center for Heritage occupies the historic Dritt Mansion on the Susquehanna River south of Wrightsville. John and Kathryn Zimmerman restored the mid-eighteenth-century house and donated it for public use in 2007.
The center serves as Pennsylvania’s official visitor contact and passport station for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Exhibits and programs address Susquehannock history, river landscapes, art, transportation, and the communities shaped by the lower Susquehanna.
Outdoor access extends the visit into Native Lands County Park and the Mason-Dixon Trail. Seasonal River Discovery tours depart from the center on the historic electric boat Chief Uncas, but boat schedules and weather rules are separate from the free year-round visitor-center hours.
What stands out
Lower Susquehanna interpretation
Exhibits, river art, and programs connect Native history, landscape, transportation, and community stories.
Chief Uncas river tours
Seasonal guided trips explore the river aboard a historic all-electric wooden boat.
Native Lands trail access
The center is a trailhead for learning about the site of the last known Susquehannock town.
Pair it with the train
Why it belongs in a Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village trip
The Zimmerman Center is a regional drive from Muddy Creek Forks, but it is the operator’s most meaningful external partner: Ma & Pa’s 2026 River to Rails program combined a motorcar ride, Heritage Village tour, lunch, and a Chief Uncas cruise. Outside that dated event, plan the two sites independently and allow driving time.
Before you go
Plan your visit
- Visitor-center hoursThe center is open year-round Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with published major-holiday exceptions.
- GroundsThe riverfront grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk.
- AdmissionThe official visitor-center page does not publish a general admission charge; separately ticketed boat tours and special programs have their own booking terms.
- Boat toursRiver Discovery tours aboard Chief Uncas operate seasonally and weather permitting. Check the current boat calendar and reserve independently.
- TrailsA self-guided route links the center with Native Lands County Park and the Mason-Dixon Trail; collect the current guide before starting.
- AccessibilityThe National Park Service lists accessible restrooms and auto parking. Contact the center about historic-house routes, trail surfaces, dock access, or boat boarding needs.
Continue the river story
Add Indian Steps Museum
Pair the Heritage Village with a closer seasonal riverfront museum in Lower Chanceford Township.
Useful answers
Frequently asked questions
Is the Zimmerman Center open year-round?
Yes. The center publishes Tuesday-through-Sunday hours year-round, with major-holiday exceptions; the grounds are open dawn to dusk.
Are boat tours included with a center visit?
No. Seasonal Chief Uncas tours have separate dates, tickets, capacity, and weather rules.
Why does this pair with the Ma & Pa Railroad?
The two organizations created the 2026 River to Rails program combining the Muddy Creek Forks motorcar, village tour, lunch, and a Chief Uncas river cruise.
Can I hike from the center?
Yes. The center connects to Native Lands County Park and the Mason-Dixon Trail, and offers a self-guided heritage-trail brochure.
Is the site accessible?
The National Park Service lists accessible restrooms and auto parking. Contact the center for the exact historic-house, trail, dock, and boat route that applies to your visit.
Trust and accuracy
Sources
Source checked 2026-08-13. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.