Westmoreland Historical Society and Historic Hanna's Town

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 Westmoreland Historical Society (WHS) is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Westmoreland County in ways that are inclusive, accessible, and meaningful to the communities it serves. Founded in 1879, WHS believes that history belongs to everyone and that understanding the past strengthens civic life, fosters empathy, and builds a more informed and connected community.

WHS stewards Historic Hanna’s Town, the site of the county’s first seat of government and a place deeply connected to the American Revolution. Interpreted today not simply as a frontier settlement, Hanna’s Town serves as a platform for exploring the diverse experiences that shaped the region—including Indigenous presence, immigration, women’s lives, labor, conflict, resilience, and the realities of enslavement and freedom in early Pennsylvania. Through thoughtful interpretation and community dialogue, WHS presents history as complex, shared, and relevant.

The Society also cares for extensive museum and archival collections housed in the Calvin E. Pollins Memorial Library, which document everyday life across generations. These collections support research, education, genealogy, and storytelling, and are increasingly being made accessible through digitization and public programming. WHS is committed to broadening access to these resources and ensuring that historically underrepresented voices are preserved and shared.

Community engagement is central to WHS’s mission. Through festivals, lectures, school programs, volunteer opportunities, and partnerships with local organizations, WHS creates welcoming spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn, reflect, and connect. These programs encourage participation, dialogue, and shared stewardship of the region’s heritage.