History Breakdown: What can Washington County teach you?

If you’re looking to entertain your little ones, interested in the history of transportation within our county or you just want to “ride the rails” for an afternoon, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is the place for you.

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, located at 1 Museum Road, Washington, PA, is a museum dedicated to the operation and preservation of streetcars and trolleys primarily from Pennsylvania, but their collection of historic trolleys includes examples from nearby Toledo Ohio, New Orleans, and even an open sided car from Brazil.

Outside of the day-to-day activities, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum offers a variety of events for groups of all ages. From Santa and Easter Bunny trains, to Daniel Tiger and Anything on Wheels weekends, this museum has a packed schedule each year.

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has won “Best Museum” in the Observer-Reporter best of the best competition in 2017, 2018 and 2019. They have been nominated for “best local attraction.”

The F. Julius LeMoyne House is a historic house museum located at 49 East Maiden St. Washington, Pa.

Built in 1812, it was the home of Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne, an antislavery activist who used it as a stop on the Underground Railroad. LeMoyne also assisted in the education of freed slaves after the American Civil War, founding the historically black LeMoyne – Owen College in Memphis, Tenn.

His house, now operated as a museum by the Washington County Historical Society, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1997. It is designated as a historic public landmark by the Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation.

The Bradford House Museum, located at 175 South Main Street in Washington, Pa., is a historic house museum which was completed in 1788. It was the home of David Bradford, a leader of the Whiskey Rebellion. It has both architectural and historic importance, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1983.

The Bradford House Museum is open for drop-in visitors from April through November — tours may also be scheduled throughout the year by appointment. In addition, the house and garden can be rented for private events throughout the year, and has an extensive event calendar.

A true art museum, the Duncan Miller Glass Museum, located at 100 Ridge Ave, Washington, PA, is a glassware museum that displays decorative pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries in a variety of styles.

The National Duncan Glass Society was formed in July of 1975 to study and preserve the heritage of George Duncan & Sons of Pittsburgh and the Duncan & Miller Glass Company of Washington, PA including the design, manufacture, and marketing of its products and celebrate the men and women who made it possible. The society maintains a museum dedicated to this goal.

The museum hosts monthly Duncan Chapter meetings, where the group discusses various topics. In addition to these meetings, the museum is open to the public at various times (varying on the season) to the public.

Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village is an archaeological site located near Avella in Jefferson Township, Washington, PA. The site is a rock shelter in a bluff overlooking Cross Creek, and contains evidence that the area may have been continually inhabited for more than 19,000 years.

Part of the Senator John Heinz History Center family, Meadowcroft Village offers exploration, education and adventure. Attendees are literally taken back in time with historical stories and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Visiting Meadowcroft Village gives you the opportunity to experience everyday 19th century rural life in Meadowcroft’s carefully recreated Historic Village, explore a recreated 16th century Monongahela Indian Village, explore the evolution of transportation in Southwestern Pennsylvania using different vehicles in the museum’s collection and dig into archaeological evidence that reveals the earliest signs of human habitation in the area.

The Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum was created to preserve, research, interpret and promote Donora history through cooperative continuing educational relationships with individuals and institutions; focusing on causes and effects of the 1948 "smog" tragedy and its impact on global environmental concerns and issues.

Additionally, the goal of the Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum is to preserve all historical artifacts related to Donora’s history.

For anyone interested in industrial history (or you want to see some sports memorabilia for Stan “The Man” Musial), then the Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum is a must-stop place for you.

If you’re a baseball fan, look no further than the PONY Baseball and Softball International Headquarters Museum. Located at 1951 Pony Place Washington, PA, the museum displays the jerseys of world champions for different baseball and softball age groups from recent years, previous programs and different types of collectables.