Vandergrift Historical Society

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

Museum CLOSED
28 May 26,
Thursday
Due to parking lot paving. Open Fri

05/14/2026

05/07/2026

18th Century Re-enactors sought!
Calling all 18th century reenactors!

Historic Fort Cherry and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will be dedicating a PHMC historic marker commemorating the 1786 Whiskey Riot in Washington County later this year.

To celebrate this, we have decided to hold a photoshoot reenactment of this historic event at the site of Woodville Experience and we are looking for volunteers to show up with their authentic impressions of 18th century citizens.

If you, anyone in your group, or any friends of your group may be interested in helping us with this event, please see the information in the Google form through the link below. We ask that a form is submitted for each individual participant. Authenticity guidelines are attached to the form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwNNvass65AVpR1qJDo8XuySwfhal45a9EiVGESa8pGAOKaQ/viewform

The photoshoot will be held on the grounds of Woodville Experience. It will not be an event open to the general public.

Sunday, June 7, 2026
8am - Noon
1375 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Washington County, PA. April 7, 1786 — A riot breaks out near Cross Creek in protest of Pennsylvania state liquor excise collector William Graham, who had recently been assigned to collecting excise tax in the western counties. In what Boyd Crumrine described as "the first actual violence committe...

04/27/2026

An exciting event from one of our neighbors

🇺🇸Save the date! Civil War Living History returns to the Armstrong County Historical Society on May 15th and 16th!

‼️May 15th @ 6 PM: Blood, Courage, and the Maltese Cross - Personal Stories of the 62nd PA Volunteer Infantry presented by the 62nd PVI Living History Family in the ACHS Jim & Ann Oakes Carriage House.
🇺🇸The 62nd PVI served in the Union Army of the Potomac’s 5th Corps, with a red Maltese Cross as their Corp emblem fastened to their uniforms. Hear true stories of how these soldiers from Armstrong County experienced the war, the effect it had on their families at home, the soldiers who survived to return home, and the ones who sadly never came back.

‼️May 16th @ 10-4: Living History Encampment, camp life, cooking, nursing, soldier drill, and interaction with living historians. Plus live dulcimer music and historical games for children!

🇺🇸May 16th Speaker Series:
11:00 AM Private Gavin Zimmerman of the 62nd PA Living History Family presenting on Men From Armstrong County at Gettysburg

1:00 PM Bill Peck presenting on Soldiers Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania, including the Dayton, PA Civil War Orphans School in Armstrong County

2:00 PM Bill May presenting on The History of McConnell's Mills -The story of the Civil War Captain and the freed slave who together created the legacy that is now McConnell's Mills.

04/02/2026

Join our friends for this event. July 19!

03/25/2026

There's still time to step into history this summer! 🏛️✨

The Compass Inn Museum’s Public History Summer Internship is your chance to gain hands-on experience, work one-on-one with mentors, and build skills for a future in museums, education, and beyond.

📚 Highlights include:
• Hands-on learning
• Program development
• Career-building opportunities
• Potential for academic credit
• Opportunity for compensation through the Experience Work! PLUS program

🗓️ Application Deadline Extended to April 3

Ready to make history come alive? Apply today: www.compassinn.org/internship-opportunities

01/19/2026

Have you ever wanted to know more about being a reenactor?
Well now is your chance!

Come visit our sister site at Braddock’s Battlefield History Center, on March 7th and 8th for their Reenactor and Colonial Market.

Discover more about reenacting and the living history groups in our region. Find out what it is like to be a part of one of these groups and what it takes to join.

Visit the sutlers and purchase time period accurate items for your new favorite hobby or over your hearth!

For more information please visit their website at: https://www.braddocksbattlefield.org/events.html

12/12/2025

Some interesting links for our genealogy buffs

National Archives – Genealogy Research Topics (Updated Quicksheet)

NARA has a great list of 35 Genealogy Research Topics, which are links to further detailed discussions about the topic, as well as guides to other relevant resources and links to collections (both online and offline).

Get the Quicksheet PDF at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/national-archives-genealogy-research-topics/