The Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association traces its beginnings to 1983 when a small group of residents banded together to prepare applications for the establishment of two national historic districts in the Borough of Catasauqua; the Biery's Port historic district and the Mansion district. In 1988 HCPA was selected by the U. S. Department of the Interior to receive a grant for development of the North Catasauqua, Catasauqua section of the Delaware and Lehigh Canal National Heritage Corridor.

Since then, HCPA has increased to over 300 members comprised of residents and businesses from Catasauqua, North Catasauqua, neighboring towns and a few states across the nation.