History

Discover the military tactics that decided the fate of the Pennsylvania frontier in 1763 during the Native American uprising known as Pontiac’s War. Bushy Run Battlefield is the site of a clash between forces led by Col. Henry Bouquet, en route to relieve a besieged Fort Pitt, and several allied Native American nations who ambushed them in hopes of repelling British and colonial advances into the frontier. Highlights of the site include the interpretive exhibit The March to Bushy Run as well as guided and self-guided tours. Bushy Run Battlefield is also the only recognized Native American battlefield in Pennsylvania.

Fort Ligonier’s history is rooted in the conflict between Great Britain and France as they fought for supremacy in western Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Explore the authentic reconstructed 8-acre fort; see the renowned museum with its six stunning new galleries with rare artifacts including the Washington-Lafayette pistols, which are on permanent exhibit in the new George Washington Gallery. Enhance your visit by attending one of our many special events, lectures, or programs held year-round.

Discover the western campaign of the Revolutionary War with a guided tour of Historic Hanna’s Town, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the site of the first English courts west of the Allegheny Mountains and of the Hanna’s Town Resolves, adopted May 16, 1775, as a bold precursor to the Declaration of Independence. During the War, Hanna’s Town recruited men for both the Continental Army and the militia raised to thwart the Indian allies of the British. The town was destroyed in 1782 by the Seneca and their British allies, but the partially recreated village tells the story of Pennsylvania’s 18th century frontier.

Compass Inn Museum is an authentically restored stagecoach stop. Furnished with an extensive collection of period pieces it is a “must see”. Period clothed docents transport you back in time, telling stories of transportation and life in the 1800s. The site also features a cookhouse, blacksmith shop, and barn.

The Fulton House in New Derry was built in 1817. Drovers and teamsters on the road to Pittsburgh stopped at this location for wagon repairs and a place to sleep. For nearly 150 years the log building was covered with clapboard and used as a private residence. In 1997 the Derry Area Historical Society rehabilitated the original structure, adding an operating blacksmith shop and two-story log barn to the grounds. Today the Fulton House and its grounds are open for tours on Sundays in the spring, summer, and fall.

Travel back to the nineteenth century with a visit to this rural pre-Civil War industrial village! Famous for its production of Old Overholt rye whiskey, West Overton is also the birthplace of industrialist Henry Clay Frick. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, West Overton Village exists today as an intact collection of over a dozen structures dating from the early to mid-1800s, including the 1838 Overholt Homestead and several original buildings.

The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum is located in the beautifully restored Darlington Station built circa 1896, an original station of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road (LVRR) near Idlewild Park. Throughout the museum the story of this short 16 mile railroad which operated from 1877 to 1952 is preserved through photographs, memorabilia, and railroad artifacts, including an authentic bobber caboose and a five ball highball signal. Also displayed is the dress worn by a survivor of the tragic 1912 wreck.

Your cross-country journey on the Lincoln Highway begins here! This coast-to-coast road trip story is told through an inspiring orientation film, along with cool exhibits of supersized architectural examples, drive-ins, postcards, and women at the wheel. See their newly restored diner, Grab a meal at one of their popular SupperMarkets, and more!

The Antiochian Heritage Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the artistic, cultural, and spiritual heritage of the Near East, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and its roots in and around Antioch (Syria). Exhibits range from the richly inlaid wood furniture of Damascus to antique religious icons that have served for centuries as windows into the heavenly realm; from the delicate jewelry and metal work of the Middle East to the colorful hand-embroidery of a 19th century Bethlehem dress. The Museum is part of the Antiochian Village Conference Center, located on 300 acres just north of historic Ligonier.

The Diocesan Heritage Center is a repository for collecting, preserving and exhibiting the cultural, artistic, religious, intellectual and archival patrimony of the Diocese of Greensburg. Through preserving, interpreting and presenting the religious heritage of our forbearers, the Center strives to inspire appreciation for our religious legacy through its exhibits and events.

The Monessen Heritage Museum is housed in a four-story brick building that once served as a boarding house for immigrant mill workers. Donated to the Greater Monessen Historical Society, the building currently has a museum area highlighting the history of the City of Monessen and the surrounding area on the first floor, and a library and archive area on the second floor.

The Baltzer Meyer Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the local history and educating others about this area that much of the country can call the home of their ancestors. They have two historic buildings. Harrold #8, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1881, is currently being restored to function as a museum, a place for contemporary students to peek into the past and visualize how education has changed over the years. The Old Zion Lutheran Church, built in 1884, houses the Paul Miller Ruff genealogical library, Harrold Hall social room, and Baltzer Meyer’s publishing and society offices.

The Latrobe area has a rich history, from colonial days in Unity Township to modern innovations in business and industry. This “City of Firsts” was home to the first professional football team, the first banana split, and the first non-stop airmail pick-up. It was also the birthplace of golf great Arnold Palmer, beloved television personality Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and Captain Chester Lee (mission director of NASA’s Apollo 12 -17 flights). The society maintains a museum featuring all aspects of Latrobe area history, as well as interactive rooms for an old-time country store, a one-room schoolhouse, and “Grandma’s House.”

Located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the Mount Pleasant Area Historical Society formed in 1995 to promote the town’s heritage. We work to identify, interpret, and preserve Mount Pleasant’s history of our families, buildings, businesses, community groups, and town events. The mission of the Mount Pleasant Area Historical Society is to: ● Identify, interpret, preserve and develop the heritage and cultural resources of the community; ● Expand the economic base and improve the quality of life of the residents and businesses by creating a network of facilities, events, educational attractions and visitor services through joint public and private investments; ● Provide a public forum for discussion of preservation and heritage development issues and promote community involvement and volunteerism.

The Sampson/Clark Toll House was built in 1874 on the original route of the Northern Turnpike. The James Clark family bought the Toll House in 1802 from the original owners the Herald family. A deed at that time was called a “Patent”. The patent for the Northern Tollhouse was owned consecutively by the Herald’s, Clark’s, Kemerer’s and the Violas. Sampson bought the property from the Viola’s in 2008.

The Staymates House was built at what is now Murrysville between 1785 and 1790 along present-day Round Top Road. This small two-story log cabin has played a unique role in Murrysville's history. The house, with an addition built prior to 1830, is located about 30 yards south of historic Forbes Road. It may have served as a rest stop for early settlers traveling west, and it has been referred to as a "blockhouse," used in defense against Indian attacks in those days.

The Norwin Historical Society preserves and promotes the local history of Irwin, North Irwin and North Huntingdon Township. They sponsor an annual “Homes for the Holidays” tour in December, care for the grounds of the historic Brush Creek Associate Reformed Church Cemetery, honor our nation’s war dead on the Sunday immediately before Memorial Day with a military Honor Guard, assist researchers with genealogy and past local historic events information, and provide speakers to local organizations as requested (including our local and out-of-area schools).

The Scottdale Historical Society preserves and promotes the history of the community of Scottdale, Pa. through community events and maintaining the Loucks Homestead. Its mission is to collect, preserve and archive the Scottdale area's rich cultural, industrial and architectural history for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations. The founding board initiated the Coal and Coke Heritage Festival and purchased the Peter Loucks Homestead with the proceeds of that festival. It also bought the ground and built the gazebo in downtown Scottdale.

The Trafford Historical Society is an organization within the community intended to preserve, protect and share Trafford's colorful past.

Westmoreland County Historical Society (WCHS) is an educational organization dedicated to acquiring and managing resources related to the history of Westmoreland County and using these resources to encourage a diverse audience to make connections to the past, develop an understanding of the present, and provide direction for the future. WCHS is dedicated to advancing its mission by forming collaborations and partnerships with other public and private organizations that share the Society's philosophy and mission. We work to promote interest and knowledge of our area's past and cultural heritage in order to instill in our county's citizens a sense of pride in local history which may act as a foundation for future success. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recognize WCHS as the official county historical society. WCHS is supported in part by a grant from the Westmoreland County Commissioners.