Western Pennsylvania is fortunate to have numerous museums keeping its diverse history alive. Here is but a sample of these museums, big and small, that lie in Pittsburgh and the surrounding hills and counties.
Harmony Museum
Harmony, Pennsylvania is known for its long and diverse history, and for its quaint and country setting. The Harmony Museum brings the “big history of this little town” alive, with exhibits about George Washington, Father George Rapp and the Harmonists, and much more.
http://www.harmonymuseum.org
218 Mercer St, Harmony, PA 16037
40.8026885, -80.1276916
Air Heritage Museum
The Air Heritage Museum is located at the Beaver County Airport, and serves as both an aviation museum and restoration facility. The museum features an artifact display area and maintains 9 aircraft. There are events at the hangar as well as regional air show participation through the year. It is open to the public and free of charge!
http://airheritage.org/
35 Piper St, Beaver Falls, PA 15010
40.7777016, -80.3874703
Mattress Factory Art Museum
If you are looking for a different kind of museum, be sure to check out the Mattress Factory Art Museum in the historic “Mexican War Streets” section of the North Side. The museum’s exhibits are unique in that they are room sized, allowing visitors to really “get into” them. Special programs are featured throughout the year.
http://www.mattress.org/
500 Sampsonia Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
40.4571477, -80.012187
Andy Warhol Museum
South Hills native and CMU graduate Andy Warhol made his mark on the New York art scene in the mid to late 20th century. The Warhol museum now has the most extensive collection of his work, including 273 films and over 4000 works of art in various media. There are also archives available for research if you are into art history. The museum is operated as one of the four Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh.
http://www.warhol.org/
117 Sandusky St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
40.4483738, -80.0024974
Carnegie Museum of Art
One of the four Carnegie Museums, the Museum of Art features the Heinz and Scaife art galleries of paintings, sculpture and more. There are changing exhibits and frequent special events. If in Oakland, be sure to check out this extensive museum collection.
http://www.cmoa.org
4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
40.4431957, -79.949915
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Housed near the Library and Art Museum, the Natural History museum features global and local exhibits in its extensive galleries and changing exhibits. It is also home to several ongoing research departments, including the areas of botany, anthropology, mammals and birds. What a great place to learn about the natural world as it was, and is today!
http://www.carnegiemnh.org/
4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
40.4431957, -79.949915
Johnstown Flood Museum
One of the worst American tragedies at the time, the City of Johnstown, PA was leveled on May 31, 1889 by a storm that led to a dam collapse that killed 2,209 people. The wall of water that hit Johnstown and its upstream neighbors was said to hit with a force that of Niagara Falls. The Johnstown Flood Museum remembers and documents this important piece of American History.
http://www.jaha.org/FloodMuseum/history.html
304 Washington St, Johnstown, PA 15901
40.3280614, -78.9206326
Jimmy Stewart Museum
This museum is a fixture in downtown Indiana, PA, and is well known locally. As the boyhood home of Jimmy Stewart, the town proudly presents exhibits and features his movies in this vintage theater. There is a museum store, and special events are held from time to time.
http://www.jimmy.org
835 Philadelphia St, Indiana, PA 15701
40.6232095, -79.155799
Tour-Ed Mine & Museum
Western Pennsylvania has a proud and rich mining tradition. Learn more about mining and its heritage at the Tour-Ed Mine by touring an actual mine with an experienced miner. The museum contains mining tools dating back to the 1850s as well as state of the art tools. Also check out the Mine Village, sawmill and other attractions.
http://tour-edmine.com/
748 Bull Creek Rd, Tarentum, PA 15084
40.6175412, -79.7604992
