2010 Arthur St. Clair Historic Preservation
Award Recipient
The Greater Monessen Historical Society exists for charitable, historical, and educational purposes. The Society promotes and fosters knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of history in general and of the City of Monessen and environs in particular. The objectives of the Society shall be to study, collect, and preserve for the City historical records and antiquities relating to the history of Monessen and environs and its people; to preserve items of current events that may have historical interest in the future; to interest and unite the city in a finer public spirit, through a fuller understanding of the traditions and history, both past and in the making, of our city and its neighboring communities.
Monessen Heritage Museum is in its sixth season of operation. It is operated and owned by the Greater Monessen Historical Society, which has been preserving local history for over 14 years. Our membership includes over 200 people from across the United States. The Heritage Museum is located in the center of Monessen's business district and is recommended by city officials and the Chamber of Commerce to visitors stopping by our city.
The museum is located at 505 Donner Avenue and housed in a four story commercial building. The property was donated to the GMHS in October 2004. The facade has been restored. The first floor houses the exhibit area, kitchen and work area. The second floor has been renovated into an ethnic and local history library, a gallery for photos and an archive area. Also, our museum gift shop contains local history books, postcards, ethnic cookbooks and other items.
The organization creates four, eight page newsletters per year. There are three changing exhibits a year, as well as a continuous Monessen exhibit. Various lectures compliment the exhibits. Ethnic food demonstrations are held in the remodeled kitchen area.
In the past four years, we have had exhibits covering some of the following: Industrial Monessen, Italians in Monessen, Slovaks in Monessen, Local Steel Union 1229, Early sports in Monessen, Rostraver Twp. Coal mines, Native Americans, Holiday Arts, Greeks in Monessen, Monessen Patents, Post cards of the Mon Valley, Needles and Lace, Monessen's 110th Anniversary.
Hours of Operation:
Mid-March through Christmas - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10-3
Closed Christmas through Mid-March until the opening of the Spring Ethnic Exhibit but available by appointment during this time.
Closed: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving
The mission of the Greater Monessen Historical Society is to protect, preserve and enhance the diverse ethnic heritage and strong inductrial background of both Monessen and the Mon Valley.
Greater Monessen Historical Society Board of Directors
Mr. Daniel Zyglowicz, President
Mr. Gary Strelick, Vice President
Ms. Susanna Swade, Corresponding Secretary
Mr. Vito Beneccio, Treasurer
Dr. Martin Dudas, Fundraising
Ms. Candis Kelley, Exhibits
Mr. Tim Donner, Honorary Seat