Pennsylvania is home to over 850 historical societies, preservation organizations, and heritage groups. From major institutions in Harrisburg and Philadelphia to small-town societies preserving local heritage, these organizations maintain vital connections to Pennsylvania's rich past.
Featured Historical Societies
Gettysburg Foundation / Gettysburg National Military Park
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Founded: 1959
Preserves and interprets the Battle of Gettysburg and its significance. Features museum with extensive Civil War artifacts, Cyclorama painting, and vast battlefield with monuments and interpretive programs
Website: gettysburgfoundation.org
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Founded: 1824
Premier research library and museum for Pennsylvania history. Features extensive manuscript collections, rare books, and artifacts documenting Pennsylvania from William Penn through industrial revolution and modern times
Website: hsp.org
Independence National Historical Park
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Founded: 1948
National Park Service site preserving Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, and other historic buildings central to American Revolution and founding of the United States. Features tours and exhibits on constitutional history
Website: nps.gov/inde
Adams County Historical Society
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Founded: 1888
Berks History Center
Location: Reading, PA
Founded: 1869
Berkshire County Historical Society
Location: Pittsfield, PA
Founded: 1962
Blair County Historical Society
Location: Altoona, PA
Founded: 1906
Bucks County Historical Society
Location: Doylestown, PA
Founded: 1880
Centre County Historical Society
Location: State College, PA
Chester County History Center
Location: West Chester, PA
Founded: 1893
Crawford County Historical Society
Location: Meadville, PA
Founded: 1880
Cumberland County Historical Society
Location: Carlisle, PA
Founded: 1874
Erie County Historical Society
Location: Sandusky, PA
Fayette County Historical Society
Location: Uniontown, PA
Franklin County Historical Society
Location: Chambersburg, PA
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Founded: 1892
Hagen History Center
Location: Erie, PA
Heinz History Center
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Lackawanna Historical Society
Location: Scranton, PA
Founded: 1886
Lawrence County Historical Society
Location: New Castle, PA
Lebanon County Historical Society
Location: Lebanon, PA
Founded: 1898
Lehigh County Historical Society
Location: Allentown, PA
Luzerne County Historical Society
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Lycoming County Historical Society
Location: Williamsport, PA
Founded: 1907
Schuylkill County Historical Society
Location: Pottsville, PA
Westmoreland County Historical Society
Location: Greensburg, PA
York County Historical Committee & Museum
Location: Yorktown, PA
York County History Center
Location: York, PA
Founded: 1895
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Know of other Pennsylvania historical societies? Help us expand this directory by submitting organizations you're familiar with.
Submit a Society →Additional Pennsylvania History Resources
- Pennsylvania Historical Association - Statewide history organization
- Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office - State historic preservation programs
- Pennsylvania State Archives - State archives in Harrisburg