Last updated: 9/30/2022
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Address
41 W. Otterman Street, Suite 310
Greensburg, PA 15601
phone: 724-532-1935
fax: 724-532-1938
e-mail: history@starofthewest.org
web: www.westmorelandhistory.org

Hours

Tuesday - Friday
9 AM - 5 PM

Admissions

$3.00 per researcher

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Lisa C. Hays
phone: 724-532-1935
Joanna T. Moyar
phone:
Description

The Westmoreland County Historical Society pursues its mission by
• maintaining a 5,000 volume non-circulating research library of genealogical and local, county and regional materials
• documenting and managing a 700,000 item archives collection
• managing Historic Hanna’s Town, a Revolutionary War period frontier settlement
• conducting programs at Historic Hanna’s Town and maintaining its archaeological collection of over 1 million artifacts
• managing a curatorial collection
• providing educational materials via outreach to schools and teachers
• conducting adult, children, and family programs on a broad range of historical topics
• publishing a tri-annual journal "Westmoreland History" and other occasional publications
• providing research services related to genealogy and county history

The Westmoreland County Historical Society 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.

Governed by a policy-making Board of Directors, the Society’s day-to–day operation is the responsibility of a full-time Executive Director. The staff includes an Education Coordinator, a Library Coordinator, two part-time assistants, and paid seasonal help at Historic Hanna’s Town. Over 175 volunteers provide a variety of services and support for the operation.

The Society, in partnership with Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation since 1969, administers Historic Hanna’s Town, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hanna’s Town, founded in 1773, served as the first seat of county government and the first English court west of the Allegheny Mountains. In one of the last battles of the Revolution, the settlement was destroyed by Native Americans and their British allies in 1782. Using reconstructed and relocated log buildings, the Society provides interpretive educational programs from May through October related to life on the colonial frontier of western Pennsylvania and Hanna’s Town’s historical significance in local, state and national affairs and the archaeology at the site.

The Westmoreland County Historical Society 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.

Mission

Mission: to acquire and manage resources related to the history of Westmoreland County and to use these resources to encourage a divers audience to make connections to the past; develop an understanding of the present; and provide direction for the future.

History

The Westmoreland County Historical Society, founded in 1908, is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation registered in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recognizes WCHS as the official county historical society for Westmoreland County.

Library
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: No
Publications

Triannual magazine; Quarterly newsletter

1=Westmoreland History
2=Westmoreland Chronicle
Services
Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

RECENT UPDATES

Museums

12/20 Loxahatchee River Historical Society

Jupiter, Florida

12/20 Museum of Science & History

Jacksonville, Florida

12/20 Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

Naples, Florida

12/20 Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum

Boca Raton, Florida

12/20 HistoryMiami

Miami, Florida

Museum Vendors

11/19 Digiscura

Encino, California

Museum Associations

12/20 Florida Association of Museums

Tallahassee, Florida

12/18 Museum Store Association

Washington, District of Columbia

12/17 Nebraska Museums Association

Lincoln, Nebraska