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.

Northwestern Pennsylvania

Museums

Linesville Fish Culture Station
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
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.
Debence Antique Music World
The collection of is showcased along with a wide range of antiques that have either musical or local significance. Lighting is provided by the DeBences' collection of over 40 Tiffany-style hanging lamps. Many of the instruments in the collection are very rare. The Berry-Wood A.O.W.
Wilder Museum
The Wilder Museum boasts a collection of historical artifacts that will fascinate any visitor.
Erie Maritime Museum
Erie Maritime Museum, Homeport U.S. Brig Niagara, 150 East Front Street. As the homeport of Pennsylvania's official flagship, the museum offers the story of the Niagara from the reconstruction of the warship that won the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.
Firefighters
The Firefighters Historical Museum, Inc. is located at the corner of West 5th and Chestnut Streets in downtown Erie. The museum was founded in 1969, Incorporated in 1971 and opened to the public on May 3, l976.
Simpler Times Museum
Simpler Times Museum is a group of five buildings full of priceless history. It is a hidden treasure at 111 Simpler Times Lane, Tidioute (four miles north of Tidioute on Route 62).
Venango Museum of Arts, Science and Industry
The mission of the Venango Museum of Arts, Science, and Industry is to preserve and conserve its holdings, as well as the beautiful Beaux Arts building it occupies, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic Museum
The Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic Museum in Meadville, Pennsylvania, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Keystone View Company, once the world's largest producer of stereoviews—devices used to view paired photographs in 3D.
Erie Art Museum
Housed in a beautiful 1839 Greek Revival building located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania, this member-supported non-profit organization offers year-round programming which includes exhibitions, concerts, classes, workshops, guided tours, lectures, and special events.

Organizations

The Clarion County Historical Society
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.
Baldwin-Reynolds House
Established in 1880, the Crawford County Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the rich history of Crawford County. Its archives—among the oldest and most comprehensive genealogical repositories in northwestern Pennsylvania—feature:
Lartz Memorial Library
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.
Struthers-Wetmore-Schimmelfeng House
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.
Erie Planetarium
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
Linesville Historical Society is located in downtown Linesville at 120 Erie Street - on the corner of Erie and South Pymatuning.
Kane Depot Preservation Society
The Kane Depot Preservation Society was formed in 1995 to acquire and preserve the old Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Kane, PA.
Harborcreek Historical Society
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
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
Elk County Historical Society
The Elk County Historical Society is located in Ridgway, the county seat of Elk County in Northwest Pennsylvania.
Ridgway Heritage Council
The Ridgway Heritage Council is a volunteer-based non-profit corporation dedicated to downtown revitalization, focusing on historic preservation.