Indiana County Historical & Genealogical Society

The Indiana County Historical & Genealogical Society in western PA serves a largely rural area noted for its forest, mineral resources, and scenic beauty. In 1938, the Indiana County Historical & Genealogical Society was founded as a private membership organization. The society is open six days a week and maintains a large genealogical research library. In its earliest days, the society met in homes, later moving to the janitor's office in the Indiana Free Library and Wilson Hall on the IUP campus. 

As its growth continued, the society moved to Memorial Hall, now known as The Clark House, a 19th-century Victorian mansion. In 1993, the society completed a feasibility study using the Clark House and the adjacent Pennsylvania National Guard Armory as its permanent home. The intentions are to utilize the armory building to house a museum, including space to honor Indiana County veterans, and to enlarge the research library and offices. This will leave the Clark House available for complete restoration. Two front parlors have already been restored to their original grandeur and are open for viewing upon request.

The Indiana County Historical & Genealogical Society is housed in a Victorian mansion known locally as The Clark House. Silas M. Clark built the house between 1869 and 1870. Mr. Clark, a descendant of local pioneer settler Fergus Moorhead, became one of Indiana County's leading citizens. He was born in Armstrong County in 1834 and moved to Indiana as an infant. He attended Indiana public schools and enrolled in the Indiana Academy at 14. Upon completion of his instruction at the Indiana Academy, Mr. Clark entered Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, and was immediately placed in the Junior Class. After graduation, Mr. Clark returned to Indiana and taught at the Academy between 1853 and 1856. In 1993, the society completed a feasibility study on using the Clark House and the adjacent Pennsylvania National Guard Armory as its permanent home.

This will leave the Clark House available for complete restoration. Two front parlors have already been restored to their original grandeur and are open for viewing upon request. The Indiana County Historical & Genealogical Society is housed in a Victorian mansion known locally as The Clark House. Silas M. Clark built the house between 1869 and 1870. Mr. Clark, a descendant of local pioneer settler Fergus Moorhead, became one of Indiana County's leading citizens. He was born in Armstrong County in 1834 and moved to Indiana as an infant. He attended Indiana public schools and enrolled in the Indiana Academy at 14. Upon completion of his instruction at the Indiana Academy, Mr. Clark entered Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, and was immediately placed in the Junior Class. After graduation, Mr. Clark returned to Indiana and taught at the Academy between 1853 and 1856.