Historical Museum Guide for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania History Museums

Monument at sunset in Gettysburg National Military Park.

[Manuscripts and Archives]

Known "The County's Attic", the museum is devoted the preservation and display of the history of Adams County, Pennsylvania.  The society also houses a research library and archives for researchers.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Farmstead   [History]

The farmhouse was home to Dwight D. Eisenhower and is located next to Gettysburg National Military Park and is open for tours.  250 Eisenhower Farm Lane, Gettysburg, PA.

Gettysburg National Military Park   [History]

Did I have an ancestor at Gettysburg?

Hear Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Park Brochure

Visit the battlefield and monuments dedicated to the soldiers who fought in the Civil War conflict.  The Battle of Gettysburg was considered a turning point in the fate of the United States.  The site includes a Visitor Center and Museum devoted to the history of this great battle in U.S. history.  Located at 97 Taneytown Road in Gettysburg, PA.

Bushy Run Battlefield  [Tours and Events]

Focused on the history of Pontiac's War, the historic site is located on Route 993 in Jeannette, PA.

Fort Pitt Museum  [History and Story]

The Fort Pitt Museum and Bushy Run Battlefield State historic sites provide insight in the French and Indian War, Pontiac's War and frontier history during the colonial period in western Pennsylvania.  Fort Pitt is located at 101 Commonwealth Place inside Point State Park in Pittsburgh, PA.

Oliver Miller's Homestead

Pittsburg Regional History Center  [Photo Collection]

Soldiers and Sailors National Military Museum and Memorial

Bahr's MIll

Covered Bridge Driving Tour and Photos

Daniel Boone Homestead

Hopewell Furnace National Historical Site

Kutztown Museum

Reading Railroad Museum  [Photo Gallery]

Housed in the old Bradford county jail, the museum offers a research center and genealogical library on the 3rd floor. 

Closed in the winter.

Endless Mountains Heritage Region

French Azilum Historic Site   [History]

A small French settlement was established here in the 1790s.  A small log cabin which has been relocated and reconstructed serves as the museum about this historic settlement.  Located along the Susquehanna River in Bradford County, PA.

LeRoy Heritage Museum   [Online Museum Tour]

Step back to earlier days in LeRoy.  The history museum offers artifacts and exhibits relating to the history of LeRoy.  Located in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania.  Currently the museum is closed for renovations.

Sayre Historical Society and Museum

[Museum Artifacts]

Dedicated to the preservation and sharing of the history of the people of Sayre, Pennsylvania.

Tioga Point Museum

Wyalusing Museum of History

Exhibits include the Bixby House, a corn crib, a barn and carriage house.

Eckley's Miners Village    [Virtual Tour]

Eckley is an old coal mining town which was begun in 1854.  Eckley is still there, the mining long since stopped and the mining operation was sold to the Anthracite Historical Site Museum.

Eckley Miners' Village

2 Eckley Main Street

Weatherly, PA 18255

Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center

Centre County Library Historical Museum Building

Housed in the historic Miles - Humes home, the focus is on the history of Centre County, Pennsylvania with a large collection of genealogies, newspapers, county histories and local records.  The museum features photos, documents and memorabilia of interest to family and local historians.  Located at 203 North Allegheny Street in Bellafonte, PA.

Columbus Chapel and Boals Mansion Museum

Victorian Bellafonte

[Bellefonte History]   [Victorian Home Tours]

This lovely old town has many surviving historical buildings which can be toured.

Chester County Historical Society and Museum

Hopewell Furnace

Valley Forge

William Brinton 1704 House

Brandywine Battlefield  [History of the Battle]  [Museum]

The battle took place on September 11, 1777 and re-enactments are hosted on the site annually.  The visitors center offers museum exhibits detailing the battle and history of the area.  Tickets may be purchased for tours of the historic houses in the park.  Located on Route 1 in Chadds Ford, PA.

Christian C. Sanderson Museum

Colonial Plantation

Governor Printz Park

The park is home to the remains of the Printzhof home and headquarters of Governor Johan Printz, a Swedish settler who came to the new world in 1643 and established New Gothenburg and what later became known as Pennsylvania.  Located at the corner of Taylor Avenue and Second Street in Essington, PA.

Swedish Log Cabin  [History]

Left behind by Swedish settlers, the cabin is a historical remnant of the Scandinavian pioneers led by Peter Minuit in 1638.  The settlement was known as New Sweden.  Located at 9 Creek Road in Drexel Hill, PA.

Thomas Massey House 

[Photo Gallery]

Built in 1696, the historical home of Thomas and Phebe Massey is one of the oldest English Quaker homes in Pennsylvania.  The home is beautifully restored and furnished.  Open for tours seasonally.  Located on Lawrence Road at Springhouse Road in Broomall, PA.

William Brinton House

Battles Museum of Rural Life

Cashier's House

Watson-Curtze Mansion

This 1890s mansion is part of "Millionaires' Row" in the West Sixth Street Historic District. 

Located at 356 West Sixth Street in Erie, PA.

Focused on the preservation of the history of the Connelsville Coke Region.  Located at Penn State Fayette - The Eberly Campus in Uniontown, PA.

Fort Necessity

Fort Necessity National Battlefield.

George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza

A self-guided tour of the life and times of the Uniontown native (George C. Marshall) who was a General of the Army during World War II and Secretary of State afterward.  Located at 5 Corners in Uniontown, PA.

Mansion at Linden Hall   [Cochran Heritage]

Erected in 1913 by Sarah B. Cochran, the mansion has 35 rooms, 27 fireplaces and 13 baths on 4 floors of approximately 35,000 square feet.  This Victorian turn-of-the-century home features period furnishings of elegance and is open for tours.  Also available for events and weddings.  Located at 432 Linden Hall Road in Dawson, PA.

Mount Vernon Furnace  [History of Bullskin Twp.]

Built in 1801 by Isaac Meason, the furnace was used to cast iron ore which was mined in the area.  Located in Mounts Creek, Bullskin Twp, Wooddale, PA.

Smock Heritage Museum

Housed in the old Union Supply Company Store on the top floor, the Smock Museum offers a collection of artifacts related to life in the coal patch town of Smock.  Located in Smock, PA.

Youghiogheny Station

The historic P&LE Passenger Train Station was restored by the Youghiogheny Opalescent Glass Company.  The station if full of Mission-style furnishings, Tiffany-style lamps and glass pieces.  Glass art may be purchased.  Located at 900 W. Craford Ave in Connellsville, PA.

Fort Loudon Historical Site

An authentic French and Indian fort awaits visitors.  Located near the Appalachian Mountains on Brooklyn Road, west of Chambersburg in Franklin County, PA.

Franklin County Historical Society Museum

[Franklin County History]

An old jail is home to the historical society, museum and genealogical library.  Located at 175 E. King Street in Chambersburg, PA.

Greene County Historical Society Museum

The historical museum is housed inside the 1860s Greene County Poor Farm.  Operated by the Green County Historical Society, the museum features exhibits, and historical artifacts related to the history of Greene County, Pennsylvania.  Outside, the original carriage house and barn are still standing and features an agricultural exhibit.  Behind the museum, inside the old boiler house, you will find the library and archives for Greene County historical documents and photos.  Visit at 918 Rolling Meadows Road in Waynesburg, PA.

Stoy Museum

Union Canal Tunnel Park

Cement Industry Museum

The museum located in Saylor Park, features the Schoefer vertical kilns built ca 1892.  Exhibits trace the history of the cement industry in Portland, PA.

Lehigh Valley Heritage Center and Museum

Focused on the history of the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, the museum contains historic artifacts, documents, photos, and memorabilia related to the early history of the area.  Located at 432 W. Walnut Street in Allentown, PA.

Lock Ridge Park Furnace Museum

Centered around the Lock Ridge Iron Furnace, visitors will learn how iron was made over a century ago. - Located at Lock Ridge Park on Franklin Street in Alburtis, PA.

Museum of Indian Culture & Lenni Lenape Historical Society

Housed inside an 18th century stone farmhouse, visitors can learn about the cultural heritage of the Lenape (Delaware) and other Northeastern Woodland Indians.  The museum features a large collection of Indian artifacts and a shop filled with lovely Native American artistry.  Celebrate with them during their seasonal festivals in May, August and October.  Located at 2825 Fish Hatchery Road in Allentown, PA.

Troxel-Steckel House and Farm Museum

German style stone farmhouse built 1755-56 and featuring a barn full of antique farm implements.  Located at 4229 Reliance Street in the village of Egypt in Whitehall Township.

The Muncy Historical Society has allowed the public to join in the archaeology digs at the Muncy Canal Heritage Park.  Historical artifacts are displayed in the museum.  A research library is housed at the Society.  Location is 40 North Main Street in Muncy, PA.

Eldred World War II Museum

The museum focuses on the history and interpretation of the events of WWII.  Located at 201 Main Street in Eldred, PA.

McKean County Historical Society Old Jail Museum

Housed in the Old Jail behind the McKean County Courthouse, it is Smethport's oldest public building.  It was erected ca 1872 and is claimed to be haunted by the spirit of a convicted murderer.  Exhibits are focused on the history and genealogy of the early people of McKean County, PA.

Penn-Brad Oil Museum

Learn about the first million dollar oil boom and see an authentic wooden oil derrick.  Located at on Route 219 in Custer City, PA just 3 miles south of Bradford, PA.

Bell School

Driebe Freight Station

The Monroe County Historical Association collection of art, is housed in this 1882 freight station of the NY, Susquehanna and Western Railroad.  Located next to McMichael's Park at 537 Ann Street in Stroudsburg, PA.

Stroud Mansion Museum

Montgomery County Historical Society and Museum

The society features an exhibit gallery, and research library devoted to the preservation of artifacts, documents and historical photographs related to the history of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.  Located at 1654 DeKalb Street in Norristown, PA.

The Liberty Bell

Franklin Court   [Franklin's Life & History]

The Franklin Institute

222 North 20th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Germantown Historical Museum

Historic Philadelphia  [Virtual Tour]

Independence National Historical Park

[History]  [Independence Hall]  [Liberty Bell Center]

[Declaration House]  [Congress Hall]  [Todd House]

National Constitution Center

[Virtual Tour]  [Interactive U.S. Constitution]

Discover the history of America from the time of the our Constitution to present day.  Learn how precious

American freedom is.  Located at 525 Arch Street in Independence Mall in Philadelphia, PA.

State Museum of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology

Pocono Indian Museum

Schocopee School House

This little red school house is over 150 years old.  Open on weekends, holidays and during special events.  Located at Water and Mill Streets, Apple Valley in Milford, PA.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

[History]  [Tour of Grounds]

Focusing on the history of the lumber industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the museum features historic logging equipment, a 1912 Shay-geared logging locomotive, and a restored CCC Cabin.  An annual Bark Peelers Convention is held each year with demonstrations of the sawmill, bark peeling, and other handcrafts.  Located at 5660 US Route 6 West in Galeton, PA.

Cambria City Walking Tour

A virtual tour of Cambria City, focuses on the historic places and highlights this place of settlement for of thousands of immigrants between 1853 and 1910.

Frank and Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center

[Immigration and Migration History to Johnstown]

Discover life through the eyes of early immigrants to Johnstown, PA in this unique museum.  Located at 201 Sixth Avenue in Johnstown, PA.

Johnstown Walking Tour

Highlights of historical Johnstown are featured.

Somerset Historical Center 

[Virtual Tour of the Grounds]

The center is actually a complex of historic structures which include a Visitor's Center, the Adam Miller Farmstead Log House, smokehouse, barn, Maple Sugar Camp, Walter's Mill Covered Bridge, and others.

10649 Somerset Pike

Somerset, PA 15501

Wagner - Ritter House and Garden

The house was home to 3 generations of steelworking families in the mills of Johnstown's Cambria City.  Located at 418 Broad Street in the Cambria City of Johnstown, PA.

Baldwin House

Celestia - A 19th Century Religious Community

Octagon House

West Overton Village / West Overton Museums

This early 1800s German Mennonite village grew up around the coke mining industry of the area.  Now on the register of historical places, the museum offers exhibits related to the history of the area, the coal and coke process and is the birthplace of Henry Clay Frick.  Guided tours of the Abraham Overholt homestead are part of the museum features.  Located at West Overton on PA 819 between Mount Pleasant and Scottdale, PA.

Bonham House

Gates House and Plough Tavern

Police Heritage Museum - Located in York, PA.

York County Fire Museum

York County Historical Society and Museum

Museum Index for Other States

Pennsylvania Census Records