Learning Local History at Beaver County’s Vicary Mansion
I’ve been to many historical society museums in Pennsylvania, but none have been quite like the Captain William Vicary Mansion in Beaver County. That’s because, instead of providing a simple …
History in Pittsburgh
Visiting the Six Graves of Baseball Hall of Famers Buried in Pittsburgh
Baseball has a rich history in Pittsburgh, with professional baseball in the city dating back to 1876. However, it wasn’t until 1887 that the team joined the National League as …
Exploring Vintage Military Airplanes at the Air Heritage Museum
Even though I’ve never been a big fan of flying (or maybe because of this fact), I’ve always been interested in airplanes. So, when I found out there there was …
Touring the Armstrong County Historical Museum in Kittanning, Pennsylvania
Located on a small knoll on the outskirts of Kittanning is one of Armstrong County’s most historic homes. Built in the 1840s, this building, known today as the McCain House, …
Touring the Once-Abandoned Carrie Furnace in Pittsburgh
As I walked away from Carrie Furnace, having spent the previous two hours touring this relic of Pittsburgh’s steel industry, I knew I had just been somewhere special. Without a …
Visiting the Many Impressive Museums of the Little Beaver Historical Society
I’ve visited a lot of historical societies all over Pennsylvania. Most of these have been ones tasked with covering the entire county and located inside a grand building in the …
Exploring Fireworks, China, and the Underground Railroad at the Lawrence County Historical Society Museum
There are 67 counties in Pennsylvania, and I had visited 66 of them by the time I rolled into Lawrence County for the first time. After a morning exploring the …
Exploring the W.A. Young and Sons Machine Shop and Foundry in Rices Landing, Pennsylvania
When it was first suggested that I visit an old machine shop and foundry along the banks of the Monongahela River in Greene County, I figured there really wouldn’t be …
Greene County Historical Society Museum: One of the Largest and Best Historical Society Museums in PA
Greene County sits in a bit of a forgotten corner of southwestern Pennsylvania. As one of the state’s least visited counties, you might think that it has little to offer …
Learning About the History of the Underground Railroad in Blairsville, Pennsylvania
In the mid-1800s western Pennsylvania was a popular route for escaped slaves traveling the Underground Railroad. Towns like Uniontown and Washington, Pennsylvania, were important stops as slaves escaped Virginia. After …