Our Mission and History
Founded in 1908, the Westmoreland Historical Society is an educational organization dedicated to acquiring and managing resources related to the history of Westmoreland County and using these resources to encourage a diverse audience to make connections to the past, develop an understanding of the present, and provide direction for the future.
The WHS Board of Directors has approved new by-laws with changes to the organizing format and clarification of the duties of some committees. Because of the format changes, it is too ponderous to note individual changes at each section, so new by-laws are recommended. These new by-laws are provided here for our members to review. They will be voted on at the 2023 Annual Meeting.
The Westmoreland County Historical Society pursues its mission by:
- Serving as stewards to an historic site, Historic Hanna's Town, the original county seat of Westmoreland and an important settlement during the American Revolution.
- Conducting educational local history programs for adults, families, and schools.
- Leading guided tours and field trips at Historic Hanna’s Town.
- Providing educational materials via outreach to schools and teachers.
- Maintaining a 5,000 volume non-circulating library of genealogical and local, county, and regional materials.
- Maintaining an extensive archive and curatorial collection related to the history of Westmoreland County and the region.
- Providing research services for genealogy and county history.
- Maintaining an archaeological collection from Hanna’s Town of over 1 million objects.
- Supporting scholarly research efforts by historians and archaeologists.
- Curating changing local and regional history exhibits at the Westmoreland History Education Center in partnership with local historical societies, museums, and nonprofits.
- Publishing a tri-annual journal, Westmoreland History, and other occasional publications.
- Presenting the annual Arthur St. Clair Historic Preservation Award to individuals, organizations, businesses or educational institutions that have made significant and sustainable contributions to the preservation of local history.
Our Staff
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Joanna T. Moyar
Our Board
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Board Officers
Chair
Vice Chair (Buildings & Grounds)
Secretary
Treasurer
Board Members
- Phyllis Bertok
- Casey Bowser
- David Delisi
- Scott Henry
- Alice Kaylor
- Tim Kelly
- Tom Klingensmith
- Kim Landis
- Paula Maloney
- Marilyn McSparrin
- Clinton Piper
- Bruce Tobin
Ex Officio
- Linda T. Assard
- Linda G. Austin
- Michael Cary
- Deborah Delisi
- Philip B. Light
- John Mickinak
- Mary Ellen Miller
- Monsignor William Rathgeb
- Denis Zuzik
Partners in History
The Westmoreland Historical Society advances its mission by forming collaborations and partnerships with other public and private organizations that share the Society’s philosophy and mission. We work to promote interest and knowledge of our area’s past and cultural heritage in order to instill in our county’s citizens a sense of pride in local history which may act as a foundation for future success.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recognize the Westmoreland Historical Society as the official county historical society. We are supported in part by a grant from the Westmoreland County Commissioners.
Historical Societies
- Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society
- Baltzer Meyer Historical Society
- Chestnut Ridge Historical Society
- Delmont Historical Preservation Society
- Derry Area Historical Society
- Export Historical Society
- Greater Monessen Historical Society
- Jeannette Area Historical Society
- Latrobe Area Historical Society
- Ligonier Valley Historical Society / Compass Inn Museum
- Mount Pleasant Area Historical Society
- Murrysville Historical and Preservation Society
- Norwin Historical Society
- Scottdale Historical Society
- Victorian Vandergrift Historical Society
Our Community Partner program invites businesses to support local history. This year, 2025, we would like to thank the Charley Family for being our supporting Community Partner.
The annual donation includes sponsorship status for all Westmoreland Historical Society programs and special events, plus other benefits!
Call us at (724) 836-1800 for more information.