The Westmoreland Historical Society is pleased to share that its facilities are reopening to the public.

The Westmoreland History Education Center is opening Friday, June 5. Regular hours for the Education Center are as follows: Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sundays 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Facilities include the research library, museum shop, and exhibit gallery. The Kendra Gallery is hosting Everything and the Kitchen Sink: Gems of the Collection, which features notable items from the Westmoreland Historical Society collection.

The Calvin E. Pollins Memorial Library is the premier resource for studying the history of Westmoreland County. Our non-circulating library includes over 5,000 historical reference books, genealogical records, and original documents of local interest. Researchers are encouraged to make reservations as the library is limited to eight visitors at a time.

The Westmoreland History Shop is excited to welcome everyone back. To celebrate your return, we are having a store-wide sale of 20% off all merchandise (excluding consignments).  In addition, our charming spring and Easter items will be on sale at 40% off.   There may be some Valentine and Christmas merchandise still out – and that is 70% off.

Historic Hanna’s Town opens for guided tours on Saturday, June 6, and will be available Fridays-Sundays in June. Tours begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on Fridays-Saturdays and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations are recommended as tours are limited to eight visitors per tour. Founded in 1773, Hanna’s Town was the site of the first seat of government for Westmoreland County and hosted the first English courts west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Antiques & Collectibles Market resumes Sunday, June 14. Gates open at 7:30 a.m. and the event will run until approximately 1 p.m. Admission is $3 per car. A variety of health and safety guidelines will be in place including social distancing, encouraging face masks, one-way aisles, and using hand sanitizer. Additional dates for the Antiques and Collectibles Market include July 12, August 9, September 13, and October 11.

Due to state restrictions and health concerns, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to not to host Frontier Court Days this year. We are disappointed, though we know this is the right decision for the health and safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers, presenters, and vendors. In the meantime, we are working hard to develop new programs and virtual opportunities to connect our community with the history of Hanna’s Town and Westmoreland County. We look forward to planning Frontier Court Days in 2021.

The Westmoreland Historical Society is implementing guidelines to safely reopen.

• CALLING AHEAD: Visitors are encouraged to call ahead for library and guided tour reservations and pre-pay admissions by phone (724-836-1800 x200). Visitors without reservations may have to wait for services, but they will be accommodated if there is room.
• SOCIAL DISTANCING: To maintain social distancing, group sizes will be limited. Visitors, staff, and volunteers must maintain at least 6 feet from others at all times. Groups that arrive together in the same vehicle and/or of the same household group may gather together at the site.
  • The Pollins Research Library and the Kendra Gallery are limited to eight (8) visitors at a time.
  • Guided Tours of Historic Hanna’s Town are limited to eight (8) visitors per tour. Tours begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on Fridays-Saturdays and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays.
  • Six (6) shoppers may be in the Museum Shop at the same time. Others in their party may wait outside or in the Kendra Gallery. A Clear barrier has been placed at the point-of-sales station in the Shop and will be sanitized after each shift.
• TEMPERATURE CHECKS: Visitors will have their temperature checked with a no-touch thermometer when entering the Museum Shop. If someone has a fever of 100.4 or higher, (CDC Guidelines), they and their party will be politely directed to come back another time.
• ONE-WAY TRAFFIC is encouraged with guests entering the Education Center through “the Tower” and exiting down the Restroom Corridor.
• SANITIZING: Visitors must sanitize their hands when they begin their visit. Staff and volunteers must also practice proper hand hygiene and will be sanitizing their hands throughout the day.
• FACE COVERINGS: Visitors, staff, and volunteers must wear face coverings when inside facilities. Exceptions for medical issues and preschoolers (0-5).

The most up to date information is available on our website, www.westmorelandhistory.org

As a small nonprofit organization, all of this is only possible thanks to your support! We hope to see old friends and new in the next few weeks!