Westmoreland County Historical Society

The WCHS, founded in 1908, is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit educational organization dedicated to acquiring and managing resources related to the history of Westmoreland County and using these resources to encourage a diverse audience to make connections to the past, develop an understanding of the present, and provide direction for the future. The Westmoreland County Commissioners and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recognize WCHS as the official county historical society.

The Westmoreland County Historical Society pursues its mission by:
• Managing and conducting programs at Historic Hanna's Town (12,384 visited in 2015 for tours and special events)
• Maintaining Hanna's Town's archaeological collection of over 1 million artifacts.
• Maintaining a library of genealogical and local and regional materials. (In 2015, 3,675 served through research visits, phone consultations, and research contracts)
• Managing an archives collection.
• Managing a curatorial collection.
• Conducting adult, family, and children's programs. (2,231 attendees in 2015)
• Providing research services related to genealogy and county history.
• Publishing a tri-annual journal "Westmoreland History" and other occasional materials. (900 magazines distributed 3 times a year by direct mail and 6 retail outlets)
• Providing educational materials via outreach to schools and teachers.
• Managing Westmoreland Heritage, a county-wide partnership of heritage sites, educational institutions, and tourism-based businesses whose mission is to promote heritage and cultural tourism in Westmoreland County.

The Westmoreland County Historical Society is dedicated to advancing its mission by forming collaborations and partnerships with public and private organizations that share the Society's philosophy and mission.