Centre County Historical Society

Centre County Historical Society Visit us Wed, Fri, Sun 1:00-4:00p.m.

The Centre County Historical Society, located at the Centre Furnace Mansion, is the oldest and largest of the county's historical organizations and has celebrated the rich heritage of Centre County for over 100 years. The Centre County Historical Society is headquartered at the Centre Furnace Mansion, a restored and furnished ironmaster's home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Th

is historic mansion and nearby iron furnace stack represent the 18th century beginnings of the charcoal iron industry in this area, and the 19th century birthplace of the Pennsylvania State University.

For nearly a century the coal industry was an important element of Centre County’s economy. Bituminous coal from the Mou...
05/20/2026

For nearly a century the coal industry was an important element of Centre County’s economy. Bituminous coal from the Mountaintop and Moshannon Valley areas helped to power the nation’s industrial revolution and later fueled electric generating stations. Coal mining also bequeathed a diverse cultural legacy, as the industry attracted immigrants from many parts of Europe.

In 2024, virtually all the coal mined in the county was aimed at the export market. Three strip mines remained active in the county in 2024, employing twenty-five people and shipping 160,598 tons. Although the coal industry is no longer a vital part of Centre County’s economy, its heritage lingers in such areas as the county’s ethnic composition and the built environment of the Moshannon Valley and Mountaintop areas.

Read more about the Coal Industry in Centre County via the Centre County Encyclopedia of History & Culture at https://centrehistory.org/article/coal-industry/

05/16/2026

Join us TODAY for the Centre Furnace Mansion Plant Celebration! A great opportunity to get beautiful plants, coffee with friends, check out books and garden items for sale, and a lovely day! https://conta.cc/4dN8mHm

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, ...
05/15/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

The Centre Furnace Mansion will be opoen 9am-2pm. Stop in for a peek or a guided tour learn about the historical significance of Centre Furnace, the iron-making process and Victorian life through the Mansion's collections.

Centre Furnace Mansion and surrounding grounds is on the National Register of Historic Places and represents a small portion of the late 18th-19th century ironmaking village once located here. The site includes the Centre Furnace Mansion, Furnace Stack, and surrounding eight acres of landscaped grounds with walkways and period inspired gardens. Its interpretation is based on historical documentation and archaeological research.

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, ...
05/14/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

Supporting the Plant Celebration for a number of years now, we are happy to have Standing Stone Coffee Company on site with hot and cold beverages and baked goods. Be sure to check out their cafe the next time you are near Huntingdon. https://standingstonecoffeecompany.com/

John Wieland Oswald served as Penn State’s thirteenth president from 1970 to 1983. During his tenure he dealt with the u...
05/13/2026

John Wieland Oswald served as Penn State’s thirteenth president from 1970 to 1983. During his tenure he dealt with the university’s financial problems, student protests, and faculty discontent, while his policies stabilized the university fiscally, diversified student enrollment, and expanded the physical plant.

By the end of Oswald’s presidency, enrollment was about equally divided between male and female students; the total operating budget increased had from $190 million to $566 million, and more than three million square feet of building space had been added, including nine buildings on the University Park campus and fifty-four major buildings across all campuses.

Oswald stepped down as president in 1983.

Read more about John W. Oswald via the Centre County Encyclopedia of History & Culture at https://centrehistory.org/article/john-w-oswald/

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, ...
05/13/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

Returning is Backyard Forest. At Backyard Forest, we provide quality native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Our goal is to help landowners create habitat for the animals and insects native to our region. https://backyard-forest.com/

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, ...
05/12/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

New this year! Sadie's Babies - Sadie is a college student who loves to grow houseplants and spread planty joy! She will also have an assortment of pots to accessorize your plants with.

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, ...
05/12/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

Common Ground Farm produces certified organic heirloom garden seedlings and PA Native, pollinator-friendly trees, shrubs and perennials. Looking for something special? You may preorder and pick up at the sale: https://commongroundfarm.square.site/

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, ...
05/10/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

The Centre Furnace Mansion garden committee has been hard at work not only with garden bed spring cleaning but they have also potted, labeled and priced over 1,400 plants! When sold, these plants are a 100% profit to CCHS and towards the maintinace of the Centre Furnace grounds and gardens.

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, ...
05/09/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

We invite you to enjoy the beauty of the Centre Furnace Mansion, gardens, and grounds while supporting their upkeep. Along with local plant vendors the Centre Furnace Mansion will be open for tours and a used book sale.

We can't wait to see what beautiful hanging planters that Shuey's Market and Greenhouse brings this year! Shuey's always provides a wide assortment of annuals, bedding plants, sometimes vegetables and beautiful hanging baskets.

Address

1001 E College Avenue
State College, PA
16801

Opening Hours

Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

(814) 234-4779

Website

https://centrehistory.org/encyclopedia-welcome/, https://centrehistory.org/visit-us/booge

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