621 Wayne Avenue | Indiana, PA 15701
Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Email: info@hgsic.org
P: 724-463-9600

On the occasion of our 250th year as a nation, I reflect on those events that made up the tapestry that is America. Parades, fireworks, speeches, and flags are all in the mix of these activities. However, not all celebrations and anniversaries are occasions for joy: some call for somber reflection. One of these events happened 100 years ago in Clymer. August 26, 1926, was a warm summer day in Clymer, Pennsylvania. It was Thursday, but this would be a very different Thursd

Local author Bob Fulton will speak about his newest book, When Rooney Sold the Steelers: An Offbeat History of Pittsburgh's Beloved Team, at the history house on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The program will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Fulton's presentation will cover key moments (and some little-known ones) from the team's past: the birth of the Steagles, formed by the wartime merger of the Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles (despite two constantly bickering head coaches, this "Combination E

Most of you reading this were born at the end of the Golden Era of Radio and during the infancy of television. We have lived through the Golden Era of Television. Now we are in a new frontier of media including the internet, smart phones, smart televisions, and Echo Dots. Television programs, podcasts, and social media are all watched on demand. While I am not a big fan of all the changes, I have accepted them. My grandparents and great grandparents probably went through s

Many of you may think that once the planning for the exhibit is finished, there’s no more planning to do. If you believe that to be true, you are, in the kindest way possible, wrong! There are other plans to make for an exhibit opening, the most important being the exhibit reception. I enjoy a good party complete with snacks and good company, but what makes a good party great is the addition of some kind of entertainment. In the case of an exhibit reception, the exhibit

Program Join the Program Committee for an exciting evening at the Wax Museum on August 7, 2026 at 6:00-8:00 p.m. As you walk through the Clark House, the museum, and Memorial Park, you will meet historic figures who will share their stories, which are a part of Indiana County’s early history. The evening will offer you a chance to learn more about the settlers who were part of our county’s history. While our presenters will be giving presentations throughout the evening, we

I hope that your summer has been good so far. We’ve had some wonderful programs at the HGSIC recently. If you’ve not been to any of our events, check out the HGSIC website and plan on attending an upcoming one. If you live far away, check out HGSIC YouTube channel and watch the programs that we record. I am so pleased with what our Museum, Program, and Fundraising Committees and their volunteers do. They make being the president of the HGSIC much easier to do. I am indebted t

I grew up in a housing plan that was established sometime around 1946. A local farmer, George Sweeney, sold most of his land in lots to returning World War 2 veterans to buy and build modest houses. It was 25 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, halfway between Pittsburgh and Uniontown along Pennsylvania Route 51. We were about three-and-a-half miles from Donora and five miles from Monessen, where there were large steel mills. The mills at Clairton and McKeesport were about ten to

Historic material culture, or the things people used daily to survive, is fascinating to me. For the last 25 years, I have made a study of the different styles of clothing throughout history as well as the different fibers and methods used for processing that fiber into fabric. While I am by no means an expert, I do know quite a bit, and, as such, have been asked to help identify or date textiles for various local collections including those at the HGSIC. Identifying and d

Spring is here and we have a full list of programs at the Historical & Genealogical Society of Indiana County (HGSIC). Please follow Events on the HGSIC website. We average two programs a month. For most of the HGSIC events, there are no charges, but we do ask that you reserve a space, so we have a head count ahead of the event. There is a wide variety of topics that are covered. Longines Symphonette LCR-500 Slumber Center Electric Clock Light Radio As I think back to what th

Programs A special thank you to authors, Tom McMillan and Dr. Charles Cashdollar, for their engaging presentations in April. Their programs were a wonderful way to open up our events for the America250 celebrations at the Society. We also want to thank all those who joined us. As we move into May, the Program Committee is looking ahead with excitement to two outstanding upcoming events. We are especially excited to welcome a remarkable group of 31 young musicians—the Indian

As Winter fades into the oncoming Spring, the programs at the Historical & Genealogical Society of Indiana County (HGSIC) are beginning to pick up. Check out our website for all of our upcoming events. We average two programs a month. For most of the HGSIC events, there are no charges, but we do ask that you reserve a space, so we have a head count ahead of the event. There is a wide variety of topics that are covered. As I think back to what things I did as a kid growing up

Tom McMillan Tom McMillan recently retired after a 43-year career in sports media and marketing, including 25 years as VP/Communications for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. Now he spends his time studying and writing about his true passion: history. Tom is the author of five books on American history, including The Year That Made America , which recounts the intense political battle that led to the Declaration of Independence. He has also written two bo

Fundraising The Fundraising Committee is kicking off this year's events with our annual Time Traveler’s Trivia . You don't have to be a trivia expert to enjoy the evening. It's all about having fun, sharing laughs, and enjoying great company. To keep everyone energized, the HomeMade Restaurant will serving a delicious taco bar, complete with sides and desserts prepared by the committee. And of course, no taco night is complete without refreshing mocktails to round out the ex

The Society was able to survive the rollercoaster of weather that hit Indiana during the month of March. Windstorms, warm spells, torrential downpours, and the occasional frost and snow battered both buildings throughout the month. Fortunately, our structures remain leak-free and in one piece. Next on the agenda are the seasonal April showers, which will test the new roof on the armory and the capabilities of our sump pumps. After a brief break for the Easter Holiday, the Soc

The history books are full of stories about life on the frontier during the 1700s. They discuss life on the frontier during the French and Indian War, or a soldier’s life during the Revolutionary War, or the basic tasks of starting a homestead in an “untamed” land. However different the subject, one thing these stories have in common is that the main characters are usually men: the men who cleared the land and built the cabin, the men who enlisted and fought, the men who mad

I am happy to report that the oral history program is coming together as Executive Director Jonathan Bogert and I start to work on how we envision the program and what we need to make that happen. We are busy pulling together a release form, a letter of welcome explaining the program, and learning what we need to do in order to make our oral histories usable by the Indiana University of Indiana’s Cultural Anthropology Department and History Department. I believe that there we

Programs As Spring approaches the Program Committee is anxiously awaiting to begin our events for the year. The months of January and February were set aside to complete research for upcoming displays and programs as part of the “Spirit of America’s Semiquincentennial”. The committee took on the task of designing a display for the Gallery Wall, called “Prelude to Independence” which will feature national, state, and local events leading up to the signing of the Declaration o

As the remnants of winter slowly give way to spring, the Society is excited to share a packed schedule of events and important updates for the coming months. Many of these happenings are centered around the historic America 250 celebration and the Society's involvement. We also take a moment to welcome back our student volunteers and a new student work study who enhances our capacity to serve the community. On March 26 at 6:30 p.m., the Society is hosting an award ceremony in

Come support the Society at its first-ever Victorian Garden Party.

Introduction Delving into your family’s history is like embarking on a captivating journey through time. As you piece together the...