It’s safe to say that our beloved Beaver County sure does have an illustrious history. Did you know, for example, that our county once generated almost 60 percent of the nation’s wealth? A lot has changed in our area over the years, and much of it is recorded for posterity at the many museums and historical sites scattered throughout the county.
Venture back to the past in all its glory on May 6 and 7 during the Beaver County History Weekend. With the theme of “Then and Now”, the sites listed below will be offering free admission on these two days (with the exception Old Economy Village). It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about how our railroads have impacted our nation, how going to school here 100 years ago differed from what our children experience today, how labor unions and local industries evolved, and so much more.
This special weekend is being hosted by the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation, located at Vicary Mansion. Enjoy exhibits, photo and video displays, food and fun activities from yesteryear.
To learn more, go to the Beaver County Recreation and Tourism website at visitbeavercounty.com.
Air Heritage, Inc. Museum and Aircraft Restoration Facility, Beaver County Airport, 35 Piper St., Chippewa Township, Beaver. View many different aircraft at the museum. A 1930s Fairchild 24 is currently being restored to flying condition. It was used by the Civil Air Patrol for patrolling the coast of the United States and for search-and-rescue missions. An F-15 Eagle, a 1960 modern fighter jet, is also on display. This aircraft is capable of breaking the sound barrier and hitting speeds of MACH 2
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Beaver Area Heritage Museum, One River Road Extension, Beaver. Celebrate how Fort McIntosh (the first fort built by the Continental Army north of the Ohio River) helped form the First American Regiment—The Old Guard, known today as the Presidential Honor Guard. Reenactors from the Fort McIntosh Garrison will show how daily life would have been at the Fort. There will be a Log House Kids Craft project on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: April through November: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
Colonial Dames XVII Century, Beaver Town Chapter, Fort McIntosh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Sons of the American Revolution General Anthony Wayne Chapter. Representatives from these three organizations will be at the Beaver Area Heritage Museum throughout History Weekend.
Beaver County Industrial Museum, 801 Plumb Street, Darlington. The history of the glass, steel and Atomic Power industries in Beaver County are highlighted through an extensive collection of documents, photographs, slides, movies, videos and artifacts. A special emphasis will be on the Union Movement starting in 1933 through current day with the lockout in Midland.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Regular Hours: Sundays, May through September, 1 to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment.
Beaver County Model Railroad and Historical Society, 416 Sixth St., Monaca. Learn how the railroad industry begun and grew in our area and what impact it had on the past, as well as how the railroads will be involved with the new Shell plant being built in Potter Township.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: Open every Tuesday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Beaver Falls Historical Society and Museum, 1301 Seventh Ave. Beaver Falls. The museum houses information on many local factories: Armstrong, J & L, B & W, as well as older manufacturers like Mayer China and Co-operative Flint. See photos and artifacts representing each company, as well as of Saint Mary’s Church from its early construction to recent razing.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment.
Ellwood City Area Historical Society Museum, 310 Fifth St., Ellwood City. Mark Barnes will share his knowledge and extensive research on the development and progress of Ellwood City from 1892 to 2014.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Regular Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enon Valley Community Historical Society, 1084 Main St., Enon Valley. View a collection of photos showing scenes of “Then and Now.” A scavenger hunt will be provided for children and the “young at heart.”
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: By appointment only.
Little Beaver Historical Society Complex, 710 Market St., Darlington. Visit Greersburg Academy and walk through the educational system, from one-room schools to present day high schools and cyber schools. The display at the McCarl Building will focus on the industrial development in Potter Township, from early Josephtown to the Shell Chemical Company plant construction.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Regular Hours: Sundays, May through September, 1 to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment.
Logstown Associates Historical Society, Vicary Mansion, 1235 Third Ave., Freedom. The Logstown Village, 1727-1758, was located 18 miles north of Pittsburgh on the north shore of the Ohio. Many different tribes lived in the village in different types of lodging: lean-tos, wikiups, log cabins and others. The Logstown diorama shows the many different types of lodging.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
McKinley School, McKinley Rd. and 37th St. Extension, Chippewa Township, Beaver Falls. The difference in teaching and learning styles between the late 1800s and now is highlighted. Children will be invited to listen to historic McGuffey Readers being read by a teacher in period dress. Electronic tablets have taken the place of slate and chalk and electric lights have replaced candles and oil lamps. Children can play 1800s recess games in the schoolyard.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: By appointment only.
Monaca Hall of Fame, 1098 Pennsylvania Ave., Monaca. Plaques of each of the 127 inductees into the Monaca Hall of Fame, and related pictures, books and memorabilia will be on display. A video covering the 25th anniversary of the Hall of Fame from 1984-2009 will be shown.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: By appointment only.
Old Economy Village, 270 16th St., Ambridge. “Remembering the Harmonie: 100 Years of Preservation & Celebration at Old Economy” will be showcased. “Hands On History Day” will feature woodworking, spinning, weaving, silk reeling and historic food.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Regular Hours: April to December: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission $10/adults (12 to 64); $9 for seniors 65 and older; $6 ages three to 11.
Richmond Little Red School House, 245 Park Rd., Brighton Township, Beaver. Requirements and responsibilities were very strict for teachers in the 1800s. Take a test from “then” and see how you do. View class photographs and maybe find a relative. Come and hear the “ghost stories” about Richmond Schoolhouse.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend: Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m. and by appointment.
Rochester Area Heritage Society, 350 Adams St., Second Floor, Rochester. The historic Rochester Community Center, formerly the Rochester High School until 1960, is the home of The Rochester Area Heritage Society. The building, constructed in the 1916 classic style, was refurbished in 2004. Visit the auditorium and listen to the entertainment of yesteryear, or stop by the train room and see Rochester in 1890 to 1920. Children’s crafts and refreshments will be available.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.
Southside Historical Village, Hookstown Fair Grounds, 1198 State Rt. 168, Hookstown. Challenge your knowledge of some items from the past and how they were replaced by new technology. Take a walk around the Village to find each building’s mystery item and earn a reward for completing the challenge.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: April to October: Second Saturday of each month, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vicary Mansion, 1235 Third Ave., Freedom. Explore the photographic past of our historic county and witness the many changes which have occurred over the span of 216 years. Photographs of historical buildings and places are on display, coupled with current photographs of the same locations, giving visitors an opportunity to step inside a time machine of “then and now.” Sample “staples” of American food prepared by Vicary food historians.
History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Regular Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment.
