Parlor

Step into the elegance of a 19th-century Armstrong County home and experience the room where families welcomed guests, celebrated special occasions, and proudly displayed their most treasured possessions. The Parlor is beautifully furnished with period pieces, fine artwork, antique clothing, and decorative objects that capture the style and sophistication of another era.

Among its highlights are remarkable portraits, an operating pump organ, a rare Victorian furniture set, and an original landscape painting of Kittanning by renowned Pennsylvania artist George Hetzel. Every piece has a story to tell, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the lives, artistry, and history of the people who helped shape our community. It’s a room that invites you to slow down, look closely, and imagine life in Armstrong County more than a century ago.

Kitchen

The Kitchen offers a glimpse into the daily lives of Armstrong County families before the conveniences of modern appliances. Filled with period furnishings, cooking tools, household implements, and hand-crafted necessities, this room tells the story of the hard work, ingenuity, and self-sufficiency that were once part of everyday life.

Visitors can explore a collection of historic kitchen equipment, food preparation tools, household items, and domestic artifacts that helped families cook, clean, preserve food, and care for their homes. From the wood-burning cookstove and antique icebox to a variety of practical tools used throughout the home and farm, the Kitchen provides a fascinating look at how previous generations lived, worked, and gathered around the heart of the home.

Early Armstrong County Rooms

Travel back to the earliest days of Armstrong County and explore the events and people that shaped the region’s remarkable history. This exhibit traces the county’s beginnings through rare maps, original documents, historic books, land records, and artifacts that tell the story of frontier life and the founding of the community.

Visitors will learn about the historic attack on Kittanning, the formation of Armstrong County, and the individuals whose vision and perseverance helped build western Pennsylvania. Featuring fascinating Revolutionary-era materials, early surveys, and one-of-a-kind historical treasures, the Early Armstrong County Room offers an engaging introduction to the stories that laid the foundation for the county we know today.

Gathering Room

The Gathering Room offers a fascinating glimpse into Armstrong County’s rich heritage through carefully curated exhibits that celebrate the people, industries, and innovations that shaped our communities. Historic artifacts, rare documents, local pottery, and photographs tell the stories of everyday life while highlighting the ingenuity and craftsmanship that made the region unique.

Visitors will discover displays honoring local inventors, manufacturers, community leaders, and treasured family heirlooms, all surrounded by period furnishings and artwork that reflect the warmth of a late 19th-century home. From remarkable pieces of local industry to one-of-a-kind historical treasures, the Gathering Room invites guests to slow down, explore, and uncover the many stories that have helped define Armstrong County’s past.

Civil War Exhibit

​Step into one of the museum’s most compelling exhibits and discover the profound impact the Civil War had on Armstrong County and the people who called it home. Through authentic artifacts, personal letters, photographs, diaries, military equipment, and rare documents, visitors can explore the stories of local soldiers who served, sacrificed, and shaped our nation’s history.

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The exhibit honors the thousands of Armstrong County men who answered the call to serve while also highlighting the families who remained at home, the legacy of United States Colored Troops, and the generations who preserved their stories. From original artwork and presentation swords to battlefield relics and one-of-a-kind historical treasures, the Civil War Room offers a powerful and personal connection to the past that history enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike won’t want to miss.

Native American Exhibit

Discover the rich history of the people who called the Allegheny River Valley home long before Armstrong County was established. The Native American Exhibit explores the culture, traditions, and daily life of the Lenni-Lenape (Delaware) people through handcrafted reproductions, authentic artifacts, archaeological finds, artwork, and interpretive displays.

Created and curated by local artist and historian Larry Smail, the exhibit brings centuries of history to life with striking murals, detailed paintings, rare stone tools, and stories that connect visitors to the region’s earliest inhabitants. It’s an immersive experience that offers a deeper understanding of the land, the people, and the enduring legacy of Native American culture in Armstrong County.