SPG Events and Festivals

Events, Guides & History Within 200 Miles of Pittsburgh

All Historic Attractions

Here are several of the top historic attractions in and around Pittsburgh, PA to visit.  These sites are representative of southwestern PA history and are generally open to the public on a regular basis.  Each and every one of these sites provides unique insight into the history of the Pittsburgh region, and together tell the story of one of America’s greatest cities!

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Air Heritage Museum Beaver Pa

Air Heritage Museum

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The Air Heritage Museum is located at the Beaver County Airport, and serves as both an aviation museum and restoration facility. The museum features an artifact display area and maintains 9 aircraft. There are events at the hangar as well as regional air show participation through the year. It is open to the public and free of charge! Read more...
Allegheny Portage Railroad Historic Site

Allegheny Portage Railroad Historic Site

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The Allegheny Portage Railroad opened in 1834, providing the first direct rail route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It has had many uses over the years, but today offers many special events and tours as a National Historic Site, and has many trails and places to explore such as the “Lemon House” and “Engine House #6”. This is of particular interest Read more...
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Braddock’s Grave

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Major General Edward Braddock was sent to North America in 1755 to attack French forts and weaken their land claims. On the way to Fort Duquesne, his force of 1400 men fell under surprise attack and was decimated. Wounded near what is now Braddock, PA, he was taken back to Fort Necessity where he died, and was buried under the Read more...
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Calhoun Schoolhouse

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The Calhoun Schoolhouse is a one-room schoolhouse built in 1881, preserved for visitors and ongoing events. Read more...
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Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

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Situated near the University of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Library still resides within it’s original building. Recent renovations have preserved its character while allowing for state of the art library services. The library was founded in 1895 by Andrew Carnegie, along with 5 other local branches. Today, the system has grown to 16 branches with 2 more on the way. Be Read more...
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Cooper Cabin Pioneer Homestead

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Built by the Cooper family circa 1810, the cabin was an original county homestead. It was enlarged after the Civil War and family descendants remained in the cabin until 1963. Read more...
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Crow Rock

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Four young sisters, ranging in age from 10 to 16 were brutally attacked on their way home, by two Indians and a white accomplice in search of information about a nearby fort. Catharine, Susan and Betsy Crow perished in the attacks, and only their sister Tena managed to escape. The attackers hid behind what is known today as “Crow Rock”, Read more...
Fallingwater

Fallingwater

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In 1937, construction was completed on Fallingwater, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The brilliant design fused nature and function like no other – complete with a stream running through the house. This much celebrated vacation home in the Laurel Highlands of Edgar and Liliane Kaufman is now open to the public and under direction of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Read more...
Fort Ligonier

Fort Ligonier

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In the 1760s, the British Fort Ligonier served as an important post between Fort Pitt to the west and more established territory to the east. Today, eight acres of the fort have been preserved with many reconstructions, within a 1,600-ft. retrenchment. There is also an expansive museum, with a history gallery, and art gallery, and a special George Washington collection. Read more...
Fort Necessity Battlefield

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

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On July 3, 1754, Col. George Washington led the first battle on the French and Indian War at this site. Although he lost the battle, the British eventually won the war, paving the way for the Revolutionary War and America’s independence. The fort has been recreated, and the history of site well presented by the National Park Service to the Read more...
Friendship Hill National Historic Site

Friendship Hill National Historic Site

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Friendship Hill was the country estate of Albert Gallatin, well known especially for his service as Secretary of the Treasury for the Jefferson and Madison administration. His name is still prominent in areas across Fayette County. The 661-acre estate is now maintained and run by the National Park Service. An audio self-tour is available, as well as ranger tours. The Read more...
Historic Hannas Town

Historic Hanna’s Town

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Known for being the first English court west of the Alleghenies, Hanna’s Town was founded in 1793 and today serves as a reconstructed frontier village, open to the public and active with tours and educational opportunities. Read more...
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Historic Old Saint Lukes Church

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Established in 1765, St. Lukes no longer has a congregation, but is still available for weddings and other special events. Tours are held on a regular basis, and a gift shop is even available! Read more...
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Johnstown Flood National Memorial

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This national memorial, run by the National Park Service, tells the story and remembers the victims of the tragic Johnstown flood. Read more...
Johnstown Inclined Plane

Johnstown Inclined Plane

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Built after the Johnstown flood of 1889, the Inclined Plane’s original purpose was to connect downtown with the higher grounds of Westmont Borough in order to develop that area residentially. During Johnstown’s two other floods in 1936 and 1977, the Incline became a lifesaver, helping people to escape downtown as well as to ship supplies into the valley. No trip Read more...
Meadowcroft Village Rockshelter

Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Village

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In the quiet woods just outside of Avella, PA, lies the oldest known site of human habitation on the continent. A National Historic Landmark, the Meadowcroft Rockshelter is a 16,000 year old rock overhang that was used for shelter. Now under excavation, visitors can get a glimpse into the distant past and walk on the same ground as our ancient Read more...
Nemacolin Castle Brownsville Pa

Nemacolin Castle

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In Brownsville, situated high above the Monongahela River, sits this historic castle. Guided tours are offered along with many other events throughout the year. The Ghost Tours are particularly popular! Read more...
Old Economy Village 1

Old Economy Village

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In 1824, the Harmony Society returned to Pennsylvania, this time settling in Beaver County along the Ohio River. There they founded “Oekonomie,” now better known as Old Economy Village. It was here that the Society gained worldwide recognition for its religious devotion and economic prosperity. Explore the visitors center, stroll the grounds or take a guided tour of the remaining Read more...
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Oliver Miller Homestead

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Located in South Park, Miller Homestead is stone farmhouse from the Frontier Era. The site and Miller family has ties to the Whiskey Rebellion and Revolutionary War. Tours and Frontier events are frequently held at the Homestead. Read more...
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Providence Meeting House (Quaker Church)

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The Quaker Church (as it is locally known) is the third building to stand on this site, erected in 1893. It was constructed from the original stone of the previous meetinghouse. The Providence Meeting House was first chartered in 1789 to Mr. John Cope as a branch of the Redstone Monthly Meeting, which consisted of several Quaker families. It actively Read more...
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Senator Walter Lowrie Shaw House

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Built in 1828 by US Senator Walter Lowrie, the house museum is open for tours on Friday afternoons. The house is located at 123 West Diamond Street, behind the Butler County Courthouse. Read more...
Century Inn

The Century Inn

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Opened as “Hill’s Tavern” in 1794, Century Inn is one of the oldest taverns / inns on Historic Route 40, the National Road.  A fire destroyed the Inn on August 18th, 2015. The original stone structure was still standing, and it has been rebuilt and opened better than ever. The Century Inn is a favorite for weddings, romantic dinners and Read more...
Tour Ed Mine Museum

Tour-Ed Mine & Museum

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Western Pennsylvania has a proud and rich mining tradition.  Learn more about mining and its heritage at the Tour-Ed Mine by touring an actual mine with an experienced miner.  The museum contains mining tools dating back to the 1850s as well as state of the art tools.  Also check out the “Mine Village”, sawmill and other attractions. Read more...
United Flight 93 Memorial

United Flight 93 Memorial

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On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their lives. Because of the actions of the 40 passengers and crew aboard one of the planes, Flight 93, the attack on the U.S. Capitol was thwarted. This quote is Read more...
Windber Coal Heritage Center

Windber Coal Heritage Center

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The town of Windber was created by the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company for the exclusive purpose of providing its workers a nearby place to live. Remnants of the old town are still visible today. The Windber Coal Heritage Center tells the story of the miners and their families and educates through interactive, state-of-the-art exhibits, media presentations and other archives. The Read more...