Asa Packer and Lehigh University

Season 1, Episode 19 Landmarks With Leon

Asa Packer and Lehigh University

Explore the remarkable rise of Asa Packer, a self-made carpenter-turned-industrial titan whose vision shaped the Lehigh Valley. This episode traces his journey from canal boatman to railroad builder, philanthropist, and founder of Lehigh University. Discover how Packer’s commitment to education, innovation, and community transformed a region—and why his legacy continues to define Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley today.