Category Archive: Stories

by Yamila Audisio, Curatorial Assistant

“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman,” Virginia Woolf once wrote. This is especially true in the 19th century when written history only portrayed upper-class men. Johnstown’s history is no exception. This was the case …

The idea of having a sign to welcome people to the Cambria City National Historic District was proposed in the design charrettes JAHA held more than 10 years ago to address the future of several of the district’s ethnic Catholic …

Like most large events, the Path of the Flood Historic Races had to be canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis. Held annually on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the races consist of a 5K, 8-miler, and …

Last August, a Wentzscope was installed in the Johnstown Children’s Museum, thanks to support from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. The Wentzscope is a sturdy, hands-on microscope that allows kids to explore the world of microscopy.

The Wentzscope came with …

On Feb. 11, 2021, Russell Shorto discussed his new book, “Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob,” with Richard Burkert, JAHA president. There was great interest in this virtual presentation, and we reached the webinar’s 250 capacity. We …

JAHA staff gathered for a (socially distanced) retirement luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 30, for Marcia Kelly (left) and Kim Baxter! The two honorees are pictured above, holding chocolates to commemorate the number of years they’ve spent with us — 43 …

The Johnstown Area Heritage Association (JAHA) recently welcomed some very special visitors to the Heritage Discovery Center – adoptable pets from the Humane Society of Cambria County (HSCC).

The visit, which was captured on video by the local firm

By Andrew Lang, JAHA curator

The 1889 Johnstown Flood remains one of the world’s most notable and enduring disasters. Broadly written about, studied, and commemorated, it is an event that stands at the intersection of so many facets of American life …

by Andrew Lang, JAHA curator

Today is Earth Day, a day that encourages us to think about the environment and our relationship to it, and the ways that we can help to preserve and protect the natural world. And today, I …

Recently the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau came to the Heritage Discovery Center to see the current temporary exhibition, Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race, which is on loan from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum through April 27. They interviewed …