Baker Mansion

05/30/2026

We have a great lineup of local artists for our 2026 Sunday on the Lawn Concert Series, and a complete list of all our performances is now available here on our page! Check out the event details for each of the concerts on our page and mark them down on your calendar!

We will see you next Sunday, June 7 at 2:00 PM for our first Sunday on the Lawn Concert with The Rocket Blasters!

05/29/2026

Join our executive director over at the Altoona Area Public Library next month for a presentation on local Civil War history!

Iron, Steam, and a Forgotten Legacy: Blair County During the Civil War
June 18th, 6pm-7pm, Altoona Area Public Library Theater

Dive into the story of Blair County during the time of the Civil War and explore the individuals and events that played a role in the war. Guests will leave with a new appreciation for just how active and important Blair County was during our nation's most pivotal conflict. Our area's industry, dynamic personalities, and little-known events from the time of the Civil War will all be explored.

Program presented by Dustin Smith, Executive Director of Baker Mansion History Museum and Blair County Historical Society, a Blair County native who lives and breathes history
at every level.

No registration required.

05/29/2026

It's an absolutely BEAUTIFUL weekend for tours of the Baker Mansion! Help us ring in our second weekend and our America250PA Blair County celebration by stopping over to see us! Tours run Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and no reservations are required!

While you're here, stop by our Visitor Center to browse new Blair County history shirts, books, magnets, teas, and even our Baker Mansion-themed candles that we made with Unkel Joe's Woodshed Altoona!

05/29/2026

Check us out on Studio 814 this morning! We'll be talking all things America250PA Blair County, local history events, and more!

05/28/2026

As the museum of the Blair County Historical Society, we have taken in many fascinating artifacts from all across Blair County's history. However, this particular object that we just received is truly incredible.

We were recently made aware of the existence of this rare piece of Blair County Civil War history. This object is a silk banner that was once displayed inside a local post of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a fraternal organization made up of veterans of the Union military who fought during the Civil War. This particular unit, GAR Post No. 82, was based out of Roaring Spring and named after local veteran Lieutenant Henry N. Lower of the 205th PA Volunteer Infantry Regiment. It is likely that this banner dates back to the years immediately after the Civil War.

The banner existed within an estate lot collection in Clearfield County, and we knew that it needed to be brought back home here to Blair County. This was completed yesterday afternoon when Michelle, the banner's previous owner, transported the banner to us here at the mansion. The banner is in remarkable condition for its age, and we fully intend to display this amazing piece of Blair County/Civil War history once its condition is stabilized!

Shout-out to our good friend Historian Jared Frederick for making us aware of this banner's existence and helping us bring it back home!

05/27/2026

Ever wonder why so many places and things across Blair County include the name Logan? Perhaps you are curious about who Frankstown is named after? Or, better yet, maybe you never quite found out how the former town of Glen White got its name? If you have ever been interested in the history behind the names of Blair County locations, then our next lecture is for you!

Coming up next month on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 PM is our History Speaks Lecture: "What's in a Name? Exploring the History Behind Blair County Locations" with Author Kevin J. Stiver (Altoona Pennsylvania History)! As hinted at above, Kevin will take audiences on a journey through the hidden history behind site and location names across Blair County. This will truly be an in-depth presentation on the subject, as many locations both known and unknown will be explored!

This presentation will take place over at the Railroaders Memorial Museum's theater room, and admission is FREE and open to the public. However, donations to the Blair County Historical Society are welcome.

For our complete schedule of lectures and other events for this season, please visit our website at www.blairhistory.org/events! We hope to see you in June!

05/25/2026

We had a marvelous start to our 2026 season this Memorial Day weekend, and we had a great time meeting guests who traveled from across our area, different states, and even outside the country!

We cannot wait for all of the visits to come here in our America250 tour season, and we hope you make plans to stop by this year! Our public tour hours are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and no reservations are required!

Thank you all for your continued support, and we hope everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day celebration today! 🏛️🇺🇸

05/24/2026

There's still time to tour the historic Baker Mansion today! Help us close out a fantastic (albeit gray and rainy) Memorial Day weekend by exploring the Baker family's history and browsing our new America250 exhibits!

05/24/2026

🎲🫖 Have you heard? Tickets are available NOW for our next afternoon tea here at the mansion! 🎲🫖

Coming up next month on Wednesday, June 17 at 2:00 PM is our Baker Mansion Bunko Tea! In addition to the delicious hors d'oeuvres, homemade desserts, and selected teas you know and love, this afternoon tea will feature rounds of the popular game of Bunko! If you have not played before, we highly suggest joining us for a fun introduction to the game!

Tickets for our Baker Mansion Bunko Tea are $20.00 per guest and can be purchased on our website at www.blairhistory.org/events. If you would rather not pay online, you can give us a call at 814-942-3916 to purchase your tickets via cash, check, or card!

05/22/2026

🏛️🇺🇸 Ladies and gentlemen, our 2026 season has officially begun here at the Baker Mansion! 🏛️🇺🇸

Starting today, the mansion is open once again for public tours! In addition to exploring the Baker family's history and the many unique artifacts from the mansion, guests will be able to browse our three brand-new America250PA Blair County exhibit rooms this year! These new exhibits showcase our area's Revolutionary War-era and Native American history, the different heritage groups that shaped Blair County, and even the 25 U.S. presidents who visited Blair County over our history! In fact, some of these exhibits feature rare and never-before-seen videos and photographs from around our area!

If you are looking for a museum experience that embodies our local America250 celebration, then you need to come and check out all that is new here at the mansion this year! Our public tour hours run Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and no reservations are needed. Just stop in our Visitor Center, get your tickets, and come join us in the mansion for a truly historic experience!

We hope to see you here!