Since its incorporation
in 1925, the Greene County Historical Society has strived to fulfill its
mission to collect,
preserve and interpret the history of Greene County. It has accomplished
this mission since 1971 in the 52 room museum building which houses more
than 10,000 artifacts, all representing Greene County’s rich history.
A tour of the museum and grounds can at the same time be nostalgic,
entertaining, and educational. The museum building and grounds are
a rich piece of the
county’s history as the site was the County Poor Farm from the 1860's
through 1964 when it closed its doors. The original Carriage House and Barn
of the poor farm are also still standing outside, where the barn is used
for special events and houses the Agriculture Exhibit. Also, on display outdoors
is a reconstructed log cabin and the “Waynie” or #4, a narrow
gauge steam locomotive from the Waynesburg to Washington Railroad . Inside
the museum exhibits include period rooms depicting daily life and displays
of early businesses and industry including salt-glazed pottery and the Jacob’s
Birdhouse Company. An extensive collection of artifacts and a descriptive
diorama portray the life of the first county inhabitants, the Monongahela
Culture, a Native American people. The Society’s main office is also
located in the museum as well as a wonderful Gift Shop full of Greene County
history books, souvenirs and a variety of unique collectibles and gift items.
Greene County is in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, just 20 minutes
from Morgantown West Virginia, and a short drive from Maryland and Ohio,
with easy access just minutes off Interstate 79.
We hope you will visit us and take a walk into the past by viewing the period
rooms and exhibits at the museum. You are welcome to stroll the picturesque
grounds, and bring a picnic lunch to eat out under the shade trees.
The purpose of this organization is to promote an interest in, and an appreciation of, the history of Greene County, Pennsylvania by preserving and interpreting objects of our past, presenting them in a way that accurately tells something about ourselves, our history, and our everyday life, and to leave a useful record of what we have collected and learned for future generations to use and expand.
