Local History Through Storytelling
Walking and Talking Through History
An innovative, community-focused, educational media project in Beaver County helping us better recognize and appreciate local history within our communities. In particular, this project shows us how to understand and interpret ways in which history has shaped our current physical surroundings and our social, cultural, economic, and political lives.
Main Street Stories
Nearly every community has a “main street” that harbors its most vibrant social, economic, and political activity. We’ve traditionally referred to these corridors as being “down town,” marking their most common characteristic–being at the geographical, urban, and commercial center of our lives.
At least this was true before the forces of mid 20th century suburbia hollowed out our cities and towns, leaving many main streets exposed like a fragile but still intact spine holding together a mass of urban decay. It’s a repugnant image, of course, as is the sight of dilapidated buildings, abandoned storefronts, broken glass, crumbling sidewalks, and vacant lots filled with refuse and the rusty still-life remains of what was once an active community.
But there’s important and relevant history in those abandoned buildings and vacant lots. It shines through in the once ornate but now crumbling facades. What’s written on that building’s nameplate? There’s a date from a hundred years ago. Why were these old buildings built with such artistic flourish? Once upon a time, there must have been a lot of wealth invested in our community.
But where are the shops now? The bustling crowds? The entertaining nightlife? Where are the buses, cabs, trolley cars, parades, and the political rallies? Where did it all go?
There are stories hidden in these historical palimpsests. Rising up through these worn out ruins are stories of who we used to be . . . and who we are today as a community.
Aliquippa: Franklin Avenue
Future Storytelling Projects
New Brighton: 3rd Avenue
Beaver Falls: 7th Avenue
Ambridge: Merchant Street
Rochester: Brighton Avenue
Monaca: Pennsylvania Avenue
Beaver: 3rd Street
Midland: Midland Avenue
Beaver County History & Media Resources
HISTORY
Air Heritage, Inc. Museum and Aircraft Restoration Facility
35 Piper Street, Chippewa Township, Beaver
724-843-2820
www.airheritage.org
Regular Hours: Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm
Beaver Area Heritage Museum
1 River Road Extension, Beaver, 15009
724-775-7174
www.beaverheritage.org
Regular Hours: April-November Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 1-4pm
Beaver County Genealogy and History Center
Beaver Station, 250 East End Avenue, Beaver, 15009
724-775-1775
http://www.beavercountyhistory.org
Regular Hours: April-November Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm; December-March Thursday-Saturday 10am-4pm
Beaver County Industrial Museum
801 Plumb Street, Darlington, 16115
724-312-0831
www.beavercountyindustrialmuseum.com
Regular Hours: Sundays May-September 1-4:30pm or by appointment
Beaver County Model Railroad and Historical Society
416 6th Street, Monaca, 15061
724-843-3783
www.bcmrr.railfan.net
Regular Hours: Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm
Beaver Falls Historical Society and Museum
Carnegie Free Library, 1301 7th Avenue, Beaver Falls, 15010
724-494-2439 or 724-774-6229
https://visitbeavercounty.com/?business_directory=beaver-falls-historical-society-museum
Regular Hours: Please call for information.
B.F. Jones Memorial Library
663 Franklin Ave.Aliquippa Pa. 15001
www.beaverlibraries.org/aliquippa.asp
724-375-2900
Ellwood City Area Historical Society Museum
310 Fifth Street, Ellwood City
724-752-2021
https://www.facebook.com/echistoricalsociety/
Regular Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 12–4pm and 1st Saturday of each month 12–4pm
Enon Valley Community Historical Society
1084 Main Street, Enon Valley, 16120
724-336-5194
https://www.facebook.com/Enon-Valley-Community-Historical-Society-569737486410476/
Regular Hours: Please call for information.
Fombell Area Historical Society
102 Hardy Lane Ellwood City Pa. 16117
724-971-6580
www.fombellhistory.org
Open By Appointment
Little Beaver Historical Society Complex
710 Market Street, Darlington, 16115
724-843-4361
https://www.facebook.com/LittleBeaverHistorical/
Regular Hours: Please call for information.
McKinley Schoolhouse
McKinley Road & 37th Street Extension, Beaver Falls (Chippewa), 15010
724-384-1598
https://www.facebook.com/McKinleySchoolhouse/
Regular Hours: Please call for information
Merrick Art Gallery and Museum
1100 5th Avenue, New Brighton, 15066
724-846-1130
www.merrickartgallery.org
History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10am-4:30pm; Sunday 1-4pm
Regular Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm; Sunday 1-4pm
Monaca Community Hall of Fame
1098 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca
724-728-0248 or 412-671-1086
https://www.facebook.com/Monaca-Community-Hall-of-Fame-415570665213584/
History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10am-4pm
Regular Hours: Open by appointment only.
New Brighton Historical Society
1229 7th Ave. New Brighton Pa. 15066
Future Sight of the New Brighton Historical Society
Ohio Valley Lines Model Railroad, Library & Museum
1225 Merchant Street, Ambridge, 15003
724-266-4787
www.ohiovalleylines.org
Regular Hours: Mondays 7-9:30pm, closed major holidays.
Old Economy Village
270 16th Street, Ambridge, 15003
724-266-4500
www.oldeconomyvillage.org
Regular Hours: April-December, Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 12-5pm
Richmond Little Red School House
245 Park Road, Beaver, 15009
724-728-9370
https://www.facebook.com/brightontownshiphistoricalsociety/
Regular Hours: Please call for information.
Rochester Area Heritage Society Museum and Model Railroad
350 Adams Street, Second Floor, Rochester, 15074
724-777-7697
https://www.facebook.com/rochestermuseum/
Regular Hours: Please call for information.
Saint Nicholas Chapel
5400 Tuscarawas Road, Beaver, 15009
724-495-3400
https://gcuusa.com/
Regular Hours: Please call for information.
South Side Historical Village
Hookstown Fair Grounds, 1198 State Rt. 168, Hookstown, 15050
724-573-9367
www.sshva.wordpress.com
Regular Hours: April-October, second Saturday of the month 11am-3pm
Vicary Mansion
1235 Third Avenue, Freedom, 15042
724-775-1848
www.bchrlf.org
Regular Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm, closed major holidays.
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