Take a journey through New Freedom and explore the vibrant art and murals that make this Trail Town one-of-a-kind!
Walking Tour Quick Rundown
- Location: New Freedom, PA
- Duration: 45 minutes each
- Route Type: Easy walking (downtown + rail trail area)
- Theme: History, rail trail, community identity, civic pride.
Walking Tour Stops
Stop 1 — Summers Cannery Mural
Location: Intersection of High Street and the Rail Trail
The mural tells the story of the former Charles G. Summers Jr. Canning Factory, which operated from 1865 – 1986. The company moved from Baltimore to New Freedom in 1923 to expand their operations and locate closer to where its products were grown, where it continued to operate until it’s sale to Hanover Foods.
The cannery industry was prominent throughout York County, in part due its rich agricultural landscape. At one point York County led the state in canneries, with 22 in operation at its peak.
The mural was installed in 2007, commissioned by New Freedom Heritage, with broad community engagement. The community had an opportunity to contribute to the piece by tracing over a projection of the image to which later artists completed the piece with paint.
Stop 2 — Northern Central Railway Mural
Location: 2 W Main St
The Mural is a nod to the railroad history that operated throughout Southern York County and into Maryland. The railway began in 1828 as the Baltimore & Susquehanna Railroad connecting the Susquehanna River to Baltimore. The railway operated as a critical north-south commercial, passenger, and military artery.
In 1972 Hurricane Agnes severely damaged the infrastructure and washed out key bridges along the Codorus Creek, leading to abandonment of major track segments. This led to a right of way transfer to the County of York who today operates the Heritage Rail Trail and leases the railroad tracks for the Northern Central Railway to operate their excursion trains out of New Freedom.
The mural was completed in September 2024 by Annelise Vuono, Anita Williams, and Brett Greiman to depict the history of the railway. The mural features locomotives No. 17 and No. 6076.
Stop 3 — New Freedom Welcome Mural
Location: 7 E. Main Street
New Freedom Heritage first commissioned a mural in 2005 at the site. Over the years the site has been updated to today act as a welcome to the borough for visitors.
The mural features the borough seal, acknowledging the railroad and agricultural history of the community. The peak and the trains featured are a nod to New Freedom being the summit or highest elevation of the railway.
Stop 4 — Eagle Sculpture
Location: Freedom Green Community Park
The sculpture is a nod to the name of the community, New Freedom, and the eagle being the symbol of freedom in the United States.
Bob Machovic created the piece, a well-known artist throughout York County. Known for his metal working and reuse of recycled materials in his pieces.
Stop 5 — Paesano’s New Freedom Mural
Location: 1 West Main Street
New Freedom Heritage supported the commissioning of this mural, in partnership with Paesano’s Pizza.
The piece was completed in 2025, by students of Susquehannock High School who designed and painted the piece. The piece takes into account the community spirit and proximity of the Heritage Rail Trail.
Stop 6 — Heritage Rail Trail Mural
Location: 2 East Franklin Street
This piece we are actively working to tell the complete story of.
As we know it, the piece was commissioned by the previous owners of the Whistle Stop Bike Shop to speak to depict outdoor recreation and trail users who of all walks of life can be seen doing many of the activities seen in the mural.
Stop 7 — Wings Mural
Location: 100 Cambridge Blvd
The mural is a nod to New Freedom’s present and future. New Freedom is seeing an active renaissance in business activity and community building, as indicated by the activity along Franklin Street and the visitors who frequent both Northern Central Railway and the York County Heritage Rail Trail.
The mural is an intentional tourist attraction, that is ready for your social media posts. Led by Burkentine Real Estate Group, the developer and operator of the recently completed Franklin Square mixed use development project, and Vortex Brewery Company. The mural was installed in 2023 by artists Sal Cabrera and Jackie Juarez.
BONUS — Commemorative Liberty Bell
Location: 1 East High Street
This commemorative bell is one of seven being installed throughout York County to highlight our region’s rich history in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Titled “We The People, We Were Here”, the bell was painted by local artist Ophelia Chambliss.
Thank you for taking the self-guide public art walk tour in New Freedom! We’d welcome you to post your pictures on social media and tag us at @YorkCountyTrailTowns.
