Preservation in Progress
Our projects that strengthen the community to local history.
Completed Preservation Projects
The projects listed below reflect completed preservation and infrastructure initiatives led by the Armstrong County Historical Society Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, and trusted local partners. Each effort strengthens campus-wide security, professional conservation standards, operational logistics, and long-term sustainability. Together, these improvements ensure that Armstrong County’s historic assets are responsibly protected, properly maintained, and accessible for generations to come.
PROJECT:
Capt. George A. Williams Civil War Preservation Project
Collections Care and Management
FUNDING SOURCE:
Armstrong County Community Foundation | William M. Dicier Memorial Fund ($1,140) and the Armstrong County Historical Society ($300)
SCOPE OF WORK
Conserve the Capt. George A. Williams, Co. B, 139th PVI Civil War frock coat, vest and kepi that was donated to the museum
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
Michael Kraus
OUTCOME/IMPACT
The museum staff contracted the conservation of these Civil War items with Michael Kraus, an experienced Civil War conservator. The project was completed in 2024 to the complete satisfaction of the museum staff.
PROJECT:
Archival Storage Items
Collections Care and Management
FUNDING SOURCE:
Armstrong County Community Foundation | Richard & Barbara A. Snyder Charitable Fund ($2,000), private donors ($1,500 app.) and the Armstrong County Historical Society ($1,000 app.)
SCOPE OF WORK
Purchase archival storage items for preservation of the museum’s vast collection of artifacts, images, documents, newspapers, etc.
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
Gaylord Archival Co. and Southern Star Co.
OUTCOME/IMPACT
By using the items purchased in the past several years, the museum staff have been able to now organize and properly store many of the artifacts, images, documents, and newspapers for long-term preservation
PROJECT:
PastPerfect Web Edition Software
Collections Care and Management
FUNDING SOURCE:
Armstrong County Community Foundation | Richard & Barbara A. Snyder Charitable Fund ($2,115)
SCOPE OF WORK
Purchase web-based museum software from
PastPerfect Software Co. to manage the Society’s membership roll and the museum’s vast collection of artifacts, images, documents, newspapers, etc.
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
PastPerfect Software Co.
OUTCOME/IMPACT
Since 2024, the museum staff have been using the software to manage a portion of its vast collection and to manage the Society’s membership roll.
PROJECT:
Document Framing Project
Collections Care and Management
FUNDING SOURCE:
Kit-Han-Ne Questers ($2,400 app.), Armstrong County Historical Society, ($1,000 app.) and private donors ($2,000 app.)
SCOPE OF WORK
Have important documents, newspapers, etc.preserved through professional museum-quality framing
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
Various framing shops
OUTCOME/IMPACT
Since 2018, the museum staff has been selecting numerous documents and newspapers for long-term preservation using museum-quality framing performed by professionals. Some of these documents are over 200 years old and are currently on display in the museum.
PROJECT:
Museum Security
Collections Care and Management
FUNDING SOURCE:
Armstrong County Historical Society and private donors
SCOPE OF WORK
Secure the museum and its contents through the purchase and installation of cameras, security entrance and motion detectors
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
2Krew Security and Surveillance
OUTCOME/IMPACT
Installation of modern security systems has significantly increased campus safety, improved collections protection, and strengthened public confidence in the museum’s stewardship of Armstrong County’s historical resources.
PROJECT:
Museum Lighting Project
Collections Care and Management
FUNDING SOURCE:
Private donations
SCOPE OF WORK
Improve the museum display case and ceiling lighting to enhance the viewing of displayed items
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
Paul Rosenberger and Larry Vorpe
OUTCOME/IMPACT
Since 2020, the museum staff has been working with the electrical contractor to improve the ceiling lighting in the museum and adding lighting in newly made display cases. New LED lights were installed in four roomsand eleven new display cases
PROJECT:
Carriage House Renovations
Facilities Improvement / Educational & Community Programming
FUNDING SOURCE:
Major Gift – Colonel James L. Oakes Jr. (Ret.)
Total Donation: $75,000
Project Cost: $70,150.07
Remaining Funds Allocated to General Operations: $4,849.93
SCOPE OF WORK
The renovation included structural repairs, electrical corrections, insulation, finishing work, and general modernization of the first-floor program area and restroom facilities.
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
2Krew Security and Surveillance
OUTCOME/IMPACT
The Carriage House now functions as a dedicated educational and programming facility, expanding the Society’s capacity to:
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Host genealogy research sessions
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Accommodate larger meetings and public gatherings
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Provide structured learning opportunities for homeschool groups and civic organizations
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Preserve and protect archival resources in an improved environment
PROJECT:
Museum Digitizing Project
Collections Care and Management
FUNDING SOURCE:
PHMC Historical and Archival RecordsCare Grant ($3,525)
SCOPE OF WORK
Purchase a laptop computer and monitor and docking station; document scanner; and a high-speed photo scanner to enable the museum staff to digitize a portion of the museum’s vast collection of artifacts, images, documents, newspapers, etc. so that they can be preserved and shared electronically.
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
Dell Corp. and JoyUsing Corp.
OUTCOME/IMPACT
During the spring of 2024, Peter Kuhs, graduate student intern from Duquesne University, and museum staff digitized items from the Arnold Collection, Vorpe negatives, 78th PVI Civil War General Orders book, 78th PVI Civil War Morning Reports book, 78th PVI Civil War Regimental records, ten burial records books of Armstrong County soldiers, and miscellaneous post cards and image of local buildings and businesses
PROJECT:
Museum Basement Electrical Upgrade
Museum Infrastructure
FUNDING SOURCE:
ACCF – Baker Family and Richard G. and Barbara A. Snyder Charitable Funds ($13,830)
SCOPE OF WORK
Upgrade the museum basement electrical panel boxes and wiring, remove outdated wiring, and install a new museum electrical entrance.
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
DRS Electrical Service
OUTCOME/IMPACT
The electrical contractor replaced the outdated basement wiring and panel boxes and electrical entrance and removed outdated wiring and panel boxes. This work was necessary to prepare for additional museum wiring upgrades and future installation of air conditioning units.
PROJECT:
Archive Storage Project
Collections Care and Management
FUNDING SOURCE:
PHMC Cultural and Historical Support Grant ($2,400 approx.)
SCOPE OF WORK
Create storage areas for archived museum artifacts, images, documents, newspapers, etc. and purchase storage shelves
CONTRACTOR/VENDOR
Lowe’s (storage shelves)
OUTCOME/IMPACT
Over the past several years, the museum staff needed to create space for the archived items stored in archival boxes and to purchase storage shelves. The museum staff removed unused second floor fixtures in the bathrooms to create space for storage shelves and created an archival room in the rear of the second floor for more storage shelves. The museum staff also placed additional storage shelves in the Curator’s Room.
Our Partners in Preservation
Preservation is sustained not by buildings alone, but by people.
The progress reflected on this page is made possible through the generosity of grant-making foundations, local businesses, individual donors, civic organizations, volunteers, and community partners who believe in protecting Armstrong County’s historic assets for future generations.
Each contribution — whether financial, professional, or volunteer — strengthens our ability to care for historic structures, safeguard archival collections, expand educational access, and responsibly steward the McCain House Museum, the Jim and Ann Oakes Carriage House, the Rupp Log Cabin, the Lankerd-Thomas Genealogical Library, and the Kittanning Train Station District.
We are deeply grateful to those who invest in this work.
Because of you, preservation continues.
If you are interested in supporting ongoing preservation efforts, we welcome your partnership.
“If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning.”
Lyndon B. Johnson
(From the signing of the National Historic Preservation Act, 1966)