Mission
The Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (doing business as the Senator John Heinz History Center) is an educational institution that engages and inspires a large and diverse audience with links to the past, understanding in the present, and guidance for the future by preserving regional history and presenting the American experience with a western Pennsylvania connection.
Programs and Services
- 50 Years of Discovery: Named as one of Smithsonian Magazine’s “Five Great Places to See Evidence of First Americans”, Meadowcroft is internationally known as one of North America’s most significant archaeological finds. First excavated in 1973 by the University of Pittsburgh, work at the site continues today—50 years later! Meadowcroft is part of the Senator John Heinz History Center family of museums which includes the Heinz History Center, Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, and the Fort Pitt Museum.
- The story at Meadowcroft starts during the ice age as the very first people began to enter North America. Meadowcroft features a massive rock overhang – the Rockshelter – used 19,000 years ago for shelter by the region’s first inhabitants. Visitors to Meadowcroft can tour this National Historic Landmark and internationally renowned archeological treasure to learn more about the lives of Western Pennsylvania’s prehistoric hunters and gatherers.
- From pre-historic times to the 16th through 19th centuries, visitors can travel back in time to encounter what rural life was like over the past 500 years: walk through a wigwam and use a spear thrower at the 16th-century Woodland Indian Village; explore an 18th-century frontier log cabin, watch a blacksmith working or participate in a one-room schoolhouse lesson in the 19th-century Historic Village.
- Hands-on History Education: In addition to providing a variety of public programs, exhibits and living history experiences for a diverse audience, Meadowcroft serves 10,000 school children annually with our menu of immersive educational programs. At Meadowcroft, children learn through a hands-on, STEM educational experience, discovering pre-historic hunters and gatherers who camped at the Rockshelter 19,000 years ago, and exploring rural life of the region over the past 500 years.
- An Investment in the Future of our Community: Even though Meadowcroft’s roots begin 19,000 years ago, we have our eye on the future, looking to transform and expand the Rockshelter and Visitor Center starting in late 2023. Community support will help create a more sustainable Meadowcroft by transforming our space to serve our growing visitorship. Designed to drive tourism and foster community- building, this spatial transformation allows for dynamic programming, unique event rental spaces, and a variety of educational experiences.
Primary Revenue Sources
Earned revenue (admission, shop sales, facility rentals, gas revenue); foundation and government grants; corporate donations; individual gifts; endowment.
Primary Fundraising Event
Annual History Makers Award Dinner
2022 Financials
| Federal Tax ID | 25-0965391 |
| Revenue | 10211252 |
| Expenses | 10714646 |
| Net Assets | 56141063 |
Contact
| Name: | David Scofield |
|---|---|
| Title: | Director, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village |
| Email: | drscofield@heinzhistorycenter.org |
| Website: | www.heinzhistorycenter.org/meadowcroft/ |
| Phone: | 724-587-3412 |
| Address: |
401 Meadowcroft Rd. Avella, PA 15312 |
This website contains an organizational snapshot, as well as links and contact information, for each of our participating charities. We have also included the tax identification number for each charity so Donors wishing to review more detailed financial and governance information may access the Form 990 for that charity via irs.gov.