Due to an interior water leak on 1/23/25 caused by the recent extreme cold, the Johnstown Flood Museum ONLY is temporarily closed. Thankfully, nothing of historic significance was affected. As of 2/4, the water remediation team has concluded their work, which leaves repainting, floor refinishing, and replacement of carpet and soundproofing materials. We are currently waiting for insurance adjustors, a process we cannot control. In the meantime, we apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to remediate and repair our beloved flagship museum.

In the meantime, we are pleased to present Relic Tales of the Johnstown Floods at the Heritage Discovery Center, which is unaffected and operating normal business hours. This new temporary exhibition includes more than 200 artifacts and photographs, many of which have never been on display before, from the Johnstown flood of 1889 (as well as 1936 and 1977).  Welcome!

Donate Search
Special Features: Amelia Earhart video

Special Features: Amelia Earhart video

The Waters/Suppes family, which has lived Johnstown for generations, recently shared this video of Amelia Earhart at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown on July 17, 1929. The occasion was the dedication of Johnstown’s first airport, which bordered the club along the 12th hole of the golf course. Earhart flew into the airport as part of the opening day’s festivities and stayed to visit with the crowd as seen here. Westmont Municipal Airport (as it was originally called) operated until 1948, when the Johnstown airport was moved to its current location in Richland Township.

The three-minute video includes some shots of speck-like airplanes high in the sky at the very end, but the best parts are the shots of a very recognizable, hatless Earhart and other guests on the ground on Sunnehanna’s porch — as well as children playing in the swimming pool. We thank the Waters/Suppes family for sharing!