Southwestern Pennsylvania

The southwestern corner of Pennsylvania is the area that was the original Washington County, formed on March 28, 1781. This is the land to the west of the Monongahela River, from the West Virginia line north and west and south of the Ohio River to the Ohio line. 

Parts of the original Washington County are now Greene and portions of Beaver and Allegheny Counties. Both Pennsylvania and Virginia initially claimed this Southwestern Pennsylvania portion of the Commonwealth.

The first National Road, Route 40, came through our area, along with endless visits by the famous surveyors George Washington, Lafayette, George Rogers Clark, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, and many other renowned people.

Join Western Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh Museums to learn more about the county's notable ancestry—and possibly your own.

Southwestern Pennsylvania

Museums

With a permanent collection of more than 750 items, the Antiochian Heritage Museum offers visitors a fascinating look at the textiles, inlaid woodwork, metal crafts, jewelry, and religious art of the Near East.
Fort Mason Museum allows visitors to experience life in early twentieth-century Fayette County. It features exhibits of local industries, a turn-of-the-century physician's office, typical home life, and a hands-on early school room.
Visions of the past come alive at the Stone House Museum. Locally donated and shared artifacts from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century adorn the rooms, and a beautifully maintained herb and perennial garden graces the grounds.
Baker Mansion initially was the home of Elias Baker and his family. It now hosts the museum, the county historical society, and a library with a historical archive.
Maridon is the only museum in the Western Pennsylvania region specializing in Asian culture, including art objects from China and Japan.

Organizations

The Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society is a non-profit, permanent institution whose primary mission is interpreting, preserving, and celebrating our cultural, industrial, and ethnic heritage of the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas river valleys in southwestern Pennsylvania, a region embracing th
Most Greene County residents and neighbors know this organization for the pets offered for adoption and perhaps for the requests for money (any government agency does not regularly fund them at any level).
A multifaceted program, the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area's mission includes historic preservation, cultural conservation, education, recreation, and resource development. The Heritage Area has bills in Congress to create the Homestead Works National Park.
The Historical Society publishes a quarterly journal of history, Westmoreland History, and a monthly newsletter, Westmoreland Chronicle. It is governed by a policy-making Board of Directors. A paid, full-time Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Society.
The Zelienople Historical Society maintains a museum in Passavant House with many of the original articles brought by Zelie.
Pittsburgh has always been a crossroads for many cultures. This rich tapestry enlivens the city and provides diverse opportunities to experience the artistic, cultural, and intellectual contributions brought by people from around the globe.
Based at the University of Pittsburgh and housed in the Stephen Foster Memorial, the Center for American Music is a library, archive, and museum dedicated to expanding and documenting knowledge of American music and its role in Americ
This Society attempts to fill the historical and genealogical needs for all within a 35-mile radius that do not have a historical organization of their own. They presently own and maintain two cemeteries: 
Since its founding in 1875, Indiana University of Pennsylvania has progressed and evolved to match the changing needs of those it serves.
Established in 1927, Butler County Historical Society's main goal was to preserve the history and culture of the county. Back in 1927 a group of locals of the county met to discuss what contiburtion they could make to portray the history of their 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.
Once considered New Castle’s “best kept secret”, the word is out on the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts and its vision to “provide the best possible arts to the greatest number of people”!
Incorporated on February 22, 1988, the Ellwood City Area Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of our community.
The Lawrence County Historical Society is located in New Castle. The home of former tin plate mogul, George Greer, it is resplendent in it's glorious woodwork and fine leaded beveled glass made by the Fry Glass Company in Rochester, Pennsylvania. 
The Foundation established in 1971, December 14, is a non-profit organization. The name of Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation comes from the County name where it is situated.
The Fayette County Historical Society is a non-profit organization established in 1971. Its mission and purpose are to find, collect, and preserve materials that portray the history of the county and the society.
The Society's goal is to arouse interest in local history and historic preservation through education, publications, meetings and events. Since its inception, the Society has grown to include more than 550 members and a permanent museum.
The Latrobe Area Historical Society of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, is dedicated to the collection, study and documentation of the Latrobe community's heritage and to the preservation of local history and its ethnic roots.Periodically the Society offers to the public special programs of his
The mission of the Ligonier Valley Historical Society discover, collect, preserve and disseminate any material which will help to establish or illustrate the exploration, settlement, development and general history of the Ligonier Valley area.
The McKeesport Heritage Center operates a museum and a research center. The museum has numerous displays of local memorabilia, including old photographs.
The mission of the Society for Contemporary Craft is to engage the public in the creative experience as expressed through contemporary craft.The organization seeks to move viewers beyond familiar frames of reference and challenge them to think in new ways about art, while also raising standards o
Opened in October 1988, Perryopolis Area Heritage Society is managed by local enthusiasts who want to preserve, promote, and develop the town's and neighborhood's historical structures and heritage. It is a Pennsylvania-chartered organization with 501(c) (3) not-for-profit status.
Organized in 1994 with 11 members, the Smock Historical Society preserves the heritage of the coal mining community, Smock, and the neighborhood.
The mission of Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is to educate people of Southwestern Pennsylvania and encourage them to take care of nature.