History
EARLY AMERICA
Bushy Run Battlefield
1253 Bushy Run Road
Jeannette, PA 15644
Phone: 724-527-5584
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
200 S. Market Street
Ligonier, PA 15658
Phone: 724-238-9701
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.
Historic Hanna’s Town
809 Forbes Trail Rd
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-532-1935
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.
HISTORIC HOMESTEADS
Compass Inn Museum
1382 Lincoln Hwy
Laughlintown, PA 15655
Phone: 724-238-4983
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.
Fulton House
357 Pittsburgh St
Derry, PA 15627
Phone: 724-694-8808
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.
West Overton Village & Museums
109 W. Overton Road
Scottdale, PA 15683
Phone: 724-887-7910
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.
TRANSPORTATION
Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum
3032 Idlewild Hill Lane
Ligonier, PA 15658
Phone: 724-238-7819
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.
Lincoln Highway Experience
3435 State Route 30 East
Latrobe, PA 15650
Phone: 724-879-4241
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!
RELIGIOUS/ETHNIC HERITAGE
Antiochian Heritage Museum
Antiochian Village & Conference Center
140 Church Camp Trail
Bolivar, PA 15923
Phone: 724-238-3677 x 426
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.
Bishop Connare Heritage Center
2900 Seminary Drive Route 30 East
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-834-8460
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.
Monessen Heritage Museum
505 Donner Ave
Monessen, PA 15063
Phone: 724-684-8460
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.
HISTORICAL SOCIETIES
Baltzer Meyer Historical Society
642 Baltzer Meyer Pike
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-836-6915
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.
Latrobe Area Historical Society
416 Weldon Street
Latrobe, PA 15650
Phone: 724-539-8889
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.”
Mount Pleasant Area Historical Society
422 Washington Street
Mount Pleasant, PA 15666
Phone: 724-547-9115
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.
Murrysville Historical Preservation Society: Sampson Clark Toll House
5302 West Pike Street
Murrysville, PA 15668
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.
Murrysville Historical Preservation Society: Staymates House
4515 Roundtop Road
Murrysville, PA 15668
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.
Norwin Area Historical Society
219C Main Street
P.O. Box 623
Irwin, PA 15642
Phone: 412-759-9771
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).
Trafford Historical Society
416 Brinton Ave
Trafford, PA 15085
Phone: 412-601-1691
The Trafford Historical Society is an organization within the community intended to preserve, protect and share Trafford's colorful past.