Archives in PA: Federal and State Historical Sites
Historical sites run by the PHMC or NPS which hold archives useful to genealogy research.
It can seem unusual to list historical sites for genealogy research; however, if you know the history of a place, you learn about the people too.
The historical sites listed below are managed by either the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) or the National Park Service (NPS). These sires are supported by government tax dollars for maintenance and staffing, supplemented by entrance or activity fees. You will find that each location also has a research library, archival materials, and deeply knowledgeable staff to help you advance your research. Some historical sites have digitized or indexed their materials, and you'll find this under website pages titled "Research". You can also contact the site via their webpage for assistance.
The PHMC also manages the State Museum of Pennsylvania, located on the state capitol complex and covering all Pennsylvania's history. Their website is https://statemuseumpa.org.
If you have the opportunity to visit historic sites relevant to the time or place you are researching, you will walk away with contextual information that cannot be gained through internet research. Standing in the place where history happened that brings the past to life in a way nothing else can.
The sites here are grouped by topic, not location. If a location covers more than one topic, it is listed under each one.
Colonial Heritage
Re-creations of Pennsylvania’s early history, focusing on settlement, governance, and colonial life.
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Website: https://www.cornwallironfurnace.org
Eckley Miners' Village
Website: https://eckleyminersvillage.com
Ephrata Cloister
Website: https://ephratacloister.org
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Website: https://www.nps.gov/fone
Friendship Hill National Historic Site
Website: https://www.nps.gov/frhi
Graeme Park
Website: https://www.graemepark.org
Hope Lodge
Website: https://www.historichopelodge.org
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Website: https://www.nps.gov/hofu
Independence National Historical Park
Website: https://www.nps.gov/inde
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Website: https://www.landisvalleymuseum.org
Old Economy Village
Website: https://oldeconomyvillage.org
Pennsbury Manor
Website: https://www.pennsburymanor.org
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
Website: https://www.nps.gov/thko
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Website: https://www.nps.gov/vafo
Military History
These sites explore Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in military conflicts, from colonial times to modern wars.
Brandywine Battlefield Park
Website: https://www.brandywinebattlefield.org
Bushy Run Battlefield
Website: https://bushyrunbattlefield.com
Conrad Weiser Homestead
Website: https://www.conradweiserhomestead.org
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Website: https://www.cornwallironfurnace.org
Daniel Boone Homestead
Website: https://www.danielboonehomestead.org
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Website: https://www.nps.gov/eise/index.htm
Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Website: https://www.eriemaritimemuseum.org
Fort Pitt Museum
Website: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/fort-pitt
Gettysburg National Military Park
Website: https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/historyculture
Pennsylvania Military Museum
Website: https://www.pamilmuseum.org
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Website: https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org
Industrial Heritage and Innovation
These locations focus on Pennsylvania’s industrial past, showcasing sites related to mining, ironmaking, railroads, and oil production.
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
Website: https://www.nps.gov/alpo
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Website: https://www.cornwallironfurnace.org
Drake Well Museum and Park
Website: https://www.drakewell.org
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Website: https://www.nps.gov/hofu
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
Website: https://www.nps.gov/jofl
Joseph Priestley House
Website: https://www.josephpriestleyhouse.org
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Website: https://lumbermuseum.org
Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum
Website: https://www.anthracitemuseum.org
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Website: https://lumbermuseum.org
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Website: https://www.rrmuseumpa.org
Scranton Iron Furnaces
Website: https://www.anthracitemuseum.org/scranton-iron-furnaces
Steamtown National Historic Site
Website: https://www.nps.gov/stea
Religious and Memorial Sites
These places were founded by religious groups significant to the state's history or mark the site of a tragic deaths.
Ephrata Cloister
Website: https://ephratacloister.org
Flight 93 National Memorial
Website: https://www.nps.gov/flni
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
Website: https://www.nps.gov/jofl
Old Economy Village
Website: https://oldeconomyvillage.org
From the book Archives in Pennsylvania for Genealogy Research, 2nd edition, by Denyse Allen. Print and ebook copies available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQX915KK
© 2019–2024 PA Ancestors L.L.C. and Denys Allen. All Rights Reserved.