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Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

The Somerset Historical Center

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The Somerset Historical Center

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Southwestern Pennsylvania's Rural Heritage Museum

10/18/2026

Historical Halloween 2026 was a success! We certainly saw our share of princesses and superheroes tonight.

As always, thank you to our dedicated visitors and volunteers for such a wonderful night. We could not run these events without supporters like you. Until next time!

10/16/2026

Fall is in full swing here at the Somerset Historical Center!

Come see these autumn landscapes tomorrow at Historical Halloween. Enjoy a night of trick-or-treating along lantern lit paths, visit historic structures, talk to costumed interpreters, and take a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the woods. Then, you can warm-up with some hot chocolate, maple kettle corn, and a taste of fresh-pressed apple c***r. We hope to see you there!

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
🕘 5 PM – 8 PM
🎟️ $5 per child
📍 Somerset Historical Center

10/15/2026

Last week, we received a generous donation of Somerset postcards, photographs, and business memorabilia.

Although the Somerset Historical Center preserves history across Somerset County, these recent donations document life in the Somerset Borough. These items have been collected over the course of decades and contain rare objects not yet seen in our permanent collections.

This collection of artifacts and extensive research will serve as a valuable tool for researchers and enthusiasts alike. We are honored to house not only these items, but many pieces of history that preserve the faces and stories of Somerset County.

10/13/2026

Today, our staff went on a hike to the historic Shade Iron Furnace to learn more about its history and maintain our wayside sign.

Staff explored the ruins of the furnace stack, mansion house, workers' cabins, and bank barn that were once integral to this early ironmaking establishment. Though little stands today, Shade Furnace once required a village of workers to operate it! The furnace operated from 1808 to 1858.

The Shade Iron Furnace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by the Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County, Inc. We are proud to maintain it and preserve it as an industrial archaeological ruins.

10/06/2026

Historical Halloween is just around the corner! 🎃

Throw on your Halloween costume and join us for a night of trick-or-treating along lantern lit paths. Visit historic structures, talk to costumed interpreters, and take a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the woods. Don't forget to stay on the lookout for the infamous Robber Lewis. "Catch" him for a special treat!

At the end of the trail, you can warm-up under the pavilion with hot chocolate, maple kettle corn, and a taste of fresh-pressed apple c***r from our working c***r press. We hope to see you at this year's Historical Halloween.

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
🕘 5 PM – 8 PM
🎟️ $5 per child
📍 Somerset Historical Center

Food Information: Candy distributed will be individually wrapped from the factory, but some may contain peanuts or other allergens. The apple c***r will be fresh-pressed and unpasteurized. Maple kettle corn contains popcorn, maple syrup, cane sugar, and salt and is popped in vegetable oil.

Accessibility: The Somerset Historical Center is handicapped-accessible, however the tractor-drawn wagon ride is not handicapped accessible at this time. Individuals with disabilities or those in need of special assistance are asked to call (814)445-6077 or the Pennsylvania TDD relay service at (800) 654-5984 in advance of their visit.

09/28/2026

Calling all Fiber Friends!

Join us for our next meeting on Saturday, October 3rd. We will receive a hands-on dyeing lesson from fiber artist Kari Roslund! Be sure to bring rubber gloves and something to dye (it must be a natural fiber and can be washed). This workshop will take place in the pavilion next to the Somerset Historical Center. New members always welcome. We hope to see you there!

📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
🕘 9 AM – 12 PM
📍 Somerset Historical Center Lhoaf Pavilion

09/23/2026

We would like to extend a warm thank you to Amanda Owen for last night's captivating presentation on the women's suffrage movement and the forgotten Justice Bell!

This unique symbol played a key role in the vote for women's suffrage across Pennsylvania, even passing through Somerset County in 1915. If you missed this presentation and would like to know more about this forgotten piece of history, please visit the links below.

Learn about the Justice Bell in Somerset County: https://sites.google.com/view/westcentpasuffrage/somerset-county?pli=1&authuser=0

Learn about the Justice Bell and its tour across Pennsylvania: https://www.justicebell.org/the-justice-bell-story

09/16/2026

Join us Tuesday, September 22nd for a two-part program hosted in partnership with the Meyersdale Public Library!

Guests will view a special screening of Finding Justice: The Untold Story of Women's Fight for the Vote, a documentary tracing the remarkable story of a band of intrepid women and their one-ton bronze bell that became an icon of the women’s suffrage movement.

Following the film, there will be a Q&A with Amanda Owen, filmmaker, author, historian, and executive director of the Justice Bell Foundation. Amanda will also be signing her new book, The Justice Bell: Tracing the Journey of a Forgotten Symbol.

Don't miss the first part of this program held at the Meyersdale Public Library on Monday, September 21st at 6:30 PM. There, Amanda Owen will explore how suffragists used the Liberty Bell replica as a dramatic symbol for their right to vote. Owen will share how she discovered the forgotten story of the Justice Bell and what its history reveals about how women's stories can disappear from our collective memory.

Program One:
📍 Meyersdale Public Library
📅 Monday, September 21, 2026
🕘 6:30 PM

Program Two:
📍 Somerset Historical Center
📅 Tuesday, September 22, 2026
🕘 6:00 PM

09/13/2026

What a wonderful weekend of Mountain Craft Days!

As we reflect on this year's festival, we are reminded once again that it takes a community to make these days so special. To everyone who visited, volunteered, demonstrated, donated, or sponsored, THANK YOU!

We're grateful for the dedicated artisans who keep these traditions alive, the food vendors who share the flavors of Somerset County, and the many hands behind the scenes who make it all happen.

And, of course, thank you to our community for your continued support of this special tradition. Your enthusiasm and generosity are what keep Mountain Craft Days going year after year.

Until next year!

09/10/2026

'Twas the night before Craft Days! Artisans and staff are anxiously awaiting the festivities this weekend.

Don't forget to join us this Mountain Craft Days! The festival is open Friday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Our artisans demonstrate rain or shine, so be sure to come prepared!

Address

10649 Somerset Pike
Somerset, PA
15501

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18144456077

Website

http://www.somersethistoricalcenter.org/

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