With deep roots of inclusion and acceptance, New Hope is home to a diverse, caring, and welcoming community. New Hope Celebrates (NHC) along with volunteers work closely with local and regional businesses to advance LGBTQ+ tourism. NHC, a member of InterPride (an international organization that unites Pride organization throughout the world), hosted Northeast Regional Pride conferences. Pride organizers share best practices in event planning, human rights activism, and social advocacy.
More and more faith communities aren’t just engaging in dialogue around LGBTQ+ equality, they are leading the conversation. New Hope is blessed with a supportive faith-based community, bringing light to the hearts and souls of all, regardless of gender or sexual preference. Local faith leaders are there with and for us, out in the community providing solace and prayers during vigils and memorial tributes, presiding over our marriages, and proudly marching in our Pride Parades.
Today we celebrate pride in our history, and tomorrow we will one day celebrate full equality.
New Hope closes Main St. for the New Hope Celebrates “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Fashion Show.
First NHC Pride Parade marches from the New Hope High School, down Bridge St. to Ferry St., and continuing to the end of South Main Street.
Ferry St Park becomes the gathering place for memorials and observances, including the AIDS candlelight and the Orlando Pulse shooting vigils.
NHC launches an “LGBTQ+ History Exhibit” at what is now Ferry Market thanks to a donation from the Bridge Street Foundation and Playhouse Inn Properties.
New Hope hosts the Northeast Regional Pride (NERP) conferences. NERP coordinates LGBTQ+ pride event conferences for New England and the mid-Atlantic states. By popular demand, In 2019 NHC was once again chosen to host the conference.
Visit Bucks County hosts New Hope Celebrates “Equality – Pride in our History” exhibit highlighting its commitment to honoring the history and contributions made by LBGTQ+ individuals.
The New Hope Solebury Historical Society hosts NHC’s “Pride in our History” exhibit, along with a keynote address from Dan Brooks, founder of NHC.
Father Michael Ruk
Pastor, St. Philips Episcopal Church
Located on West Mechanic Street next to the Canal House, the Hacienda was a premiere getaway. Owned by Pam Minford, known as the Queen of New Hope’s social scene, it featured lodging, festive dining, fireside cocktails, and entertainment. It was demolished in 2014 to make way for luxury condos.
Located on W. Mechanic St., the Canal House was a fashionable eating place that became a second home to stage and screen stars including Liza Minelli, Merv Griffin, Henry Fonda, Robert Redford….the list goes on. The wait staff was known for acerbic wit as illustrated by the story of two women who were having lunch and the server (Joe ‘Mother’ Cavalluci) put down 2 orders of shrimp – the one woman said “why does she have five and I have only four”, so Mother took one shrimp and threw it in the Canal and said” now you both have four”.
Canal House Restaurant Review: “Drenched in the atmosphere, this old inn droops over one of the most picturesque canals in New Hope. Before this town became such a tourist mecca, the Canal House was a great trysting place – achingly romantic. It’s still romantic, with its art nouveau drawings and weeping willows, but the food is strictly nouveau-Italian now, where it used to be Greenwich Village. You can order pasta primavera or vegetarian lasagna, or any veal and chicken preparations, but it’s best to stick to basics like steaks and roast beef and have a big martini first.”
Located on West Mechanic St., the Towpath House and shops have a sorted history. A portion of the five-building complex bordered by Ingham Creek hosted numerous restaurants over the years, most recently Esca and then Tuscany. Now in disrepair, the property is in the process of renovation, soon to be a restaurant and condos.
New Hope sits along the historic 60-mile-long Delaware canal and towpath. Several access points will bring you to scenic walkways where you can enjoy the ever-changing scenery. In the ‘80s, it was a popular meetup place for men when the gay bars closed. Shown above are the mule barges which were a popular tourist attraction until 2007 when it stopped operating.
Located on 32 W Bridge St. next to Union Square, The New Hope and Ivyland Railroad continues to provide scenic tourist excursion trains between New Hope and nearby Lahaska. New Hope Celebrates has hosted numerous parties and events on the train.
