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About Me.

The Armstrong County Historical Society (ACHS) exists to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the rich heritage of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. Established by citizens who understood the importance of safeguarding our collective story, the Society has grown into a trusted steward of local history—protecting artifacts, documents, structures, and memories that define who we are.

 

Today, ACHS stands not only as a guardian of the past, but as an active, community-centered organization shaping how history is experienced by future generations.

About the Armstrong County Historical Society

Our Historic Campus

McCain House Museum

  • Our primary museum facility, home to curated exhibits and collections that reflect the industrial, military, civic, and domestic life of Armstrong County residents across generations.

Jim and Ann Oakes Carriage House

  • Newly renovated to serve as a clean, modern educational space, the Carriage House now supports school programs, homeschool groups, lectures, and civic presentations. It represents our commitment to making history accessible, interactive, and engaging.

Lankerd-Thomas Genealogical Library

  • A growing repository of family records, newspapers, archival materials, and research tools serving genealogists, historians, and families seeking to trace their roots.

Rupp Log Cabin

  • A preserved log structure offering insight into early frontier life and the resilience of the county’s earliest settlers.

Kittanning Train Station

  • The ongoing restoration of the historic train station campus is designed to preserve this important transportation landmark while transforming it into a future community event and educational venue. Once completed, the site will serve as a gathering space for cultural programs, exhibits, lectures, and public events—honoring Armstrong County’s rail heritage while creating new opportunities for civic engagement.

Vintage Family Photos

Preservation
with Purpose

Our mission extends beyond maintaining historic structures. ACHS is actively focused on:

 

  • Enhancing museum exhibits and improving climate control systems to better protect fragile artifacts

  • Advancing preservation techniques to meet modern archival standards

  • Expanding and digitizing genealogical resources

  • Improving database management for historical documents and family records

  • Increasing educational programming for students and civic organizations

 

 

Through these efforts, we ensure that Armstrong County’s history is not only preserved—but responsibly cared for and thoughtfully interpreted.

Vintage Fountain Pen

Education & Community Engagement

Education is central to our mission.

 

The renovated Carriage House has opened new doors for:

 

  • High school history classes

  • Homeschool groups

  • Civic organizations

  • College research projects

  • Public lectures and workshops

 

 

In addition, our affiliation with FamilySearch resources allows visitors to use online genealogical software to research their family heritage directly within our facilities. Families are discovering long-forgotten connections, stories, and records—strengthening their ties to Armstrong County and beyond.

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