The Robinson Museum (located directly behind Center House) was made possible through a bequest by Florence Himes-Robinson and is the official Museum of Elk County.
Northwestern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is strongly connected to the United States' formative years and history. Northwest Pennsylvania, the farthest point colonized before western expansion began, was home to many historically significant individuals, industries, and events.
George Washington visited and stayed in the region on several occasions. Here, the world's first zipper was created.
Enjoy tourism experiences with educational and historical significance. In Northwest PA, you will find many opportunities to explore sites and museums that document and preserve the area's rich history. You will discover it has not always been the "Quiet Northwest."
Northwestern Pennsylvania's wildlife and beautiful landscape have always been attractive subjects for artists. This natural atmosphere has spawned a great interest in and undertaking of wildlife art by many of the area's residents.
Moreover, many of these artists have further promoted their careers through the opening of wildlife art galleries and shops. In these galleries, one can find beautiful works of art based on the area and the native animals. Some galleries are open only during specific times of the week, so contact them before visiting.
Agriculture remains an economic livelihood for many people in northwest Pennsylvania. The rolling landscape of fields and crops helps one quickly understand its importance. With many farms, there are myriad opportunities for Nature Tourism on agricultural facilities and related sites. In addition, the sustainable methodology and alternative practices of certain farms in Northwest PA provide an educational and fascinating look at the changes in one of the United States' oldest professions.
Northwestern Pennsylvania remains an often undiscovered landscape of mountain trails, scenic road rides, and smooth family/multi-use trails. Numerous parks and abandoned railroad beds provide smooth and usually paved trails for the whole family. If you enjoy road riding, then a trip through any agricultural and woodland landscape is sure to be a scenic journey. Pennsylvania's forests offer many opportunities for mountain biking, from challenging hill climbs to technically difficult downhill runs. With paved family trails and some of the most technical and rigorous singletrack in the state, Northwest Pennsylvania offers an exploration experience.
Museums
The Jefferson County History Center relocated to the newly preserved N. G. Edelblute Building (1855-1875) on Historic Brookville's Main Street in March 2004, marking the Bicentennial Year of the county's founding.
Located in Meadville, the Baldwin-Reynolds House was once home to Supreme Court Justice Henry Baldwin (1780-1840) and, at other times, two of Meadville's mayors. Purchased by the Meadville Historical Society, the house now includes an ice house, tannery, garden, and spring-fed pond.
Taylor Memorial Museum houses a vast display of glass from local industry, plus many interesting artifacts from the lumbering, mining, and farming communities in the surrounding area.
Dr. Mosier (1855-1938) was born in Crawford County and studied at the University of Maryland. As a physician, he performed all of the usual duties of an early 20th-century general practitioner.
1910 was a prosperous year for Franklin and included the building of the National Guard Armory overlooking French Creek.
Have you ever wondered where the first colonial settlement in northwest Pennsylvania was located? Well, look no further than Meadville. In 1787, at the age of 36, David Mead and his brother, John, went scouting the northwestern Pennsylvania wilderness for a new location to settle.
Meadville Railroad Depot Museum was established thanks to the collaboration of the French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society, the NWPA Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association, the Crawford County Historical Society, and the Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Probably one of the most extensive historical sites in northwest Pennsylvania's Oil Heritage Region, the Drake Well Museum in Titusville is located on the site of the birthplace of the modern oil industry.
The historic Conneaut Lake Community Hall and former Police Station now serves as the Conneaut Lake Area Historical Museum with hundreds of photos and artifacts.
The Cambridge Springs Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the years of the mineral water boom. Its displays of artifacts, relics, and memorabilia, along with changing exhibits, fill the first and second floors of the 1908 City Hall building.
South of Linesville on Hartstown Road is the Linesville Fish Hatchery, a fun place for people of all ages to learn about fish cultivation and get up close and personal with the fish in the observation tank.
Coolspring Power Museum's origins go back to the early 1950s and the efforts of two collectors: John Wilcox and Paul Harvey. As their collections grew, significant pieces were gathered in a series of buildings in Coolspring, Pennsylvania.
Organizations
The Clarion County Historical Society was established in 1955 and chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1956 as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational institution.
The purpose of establishing Crawford County Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Crawford County.
The Penn State Shenango campus library is located in a building that was constructed in the early 1900s. For many years it was a commercial laundry, then a union hall for local steel workers. In 1990 the University purchased the building.
Warren County Historical Society is located in the Struthers-Wetmore-Schimmelfeng House, built in 1873 in the Italian Renaissance style. It is a solid structure today, but the veranda and balcony are gone. It proudly serves as the information center for the Warren Historic District.
The Erie Planetarium is a division of the Erie County Historical Society which has over 500 members. Members receive free admission and benefits at all ECHS sites.
Linesville Historical Society is located in downtown Linesville at 120 Erie Street - on the corner of Erie and South Pymatuning.
The Kane Depot Preservation Society was formed in 1995 to acquire and preserve the old Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Kane, PA.
The Society houses historical archives for genealogical research and excellent folios on Harborcreek families, cemeteries and other history. The Society office includes a reference library and several items such as the cemetery list in quick access format on the computer.
Lake Shore Railway Historical Society is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors that meets monthly to conduct LSRHS business.Lake Shore Railway Historical Society's mission is to preserve, enjoy and share the memory, history and experience of railroading, particularly that of northwester
The Elk County Historical Society is located in Ridgway, the county seat of Elk County which is in northwest Pennsylvania. Our organization consists of a Victorian Era house and the Robinson museum containing exhibits, a book store, and the genealogy room.
The Ridgway Heritage Council is a volunteer-based non-profit corporation dedicated to downtown revitalization, focusing on historic preservation.