Photo courtesy of JUNIATA RIVER VALLEY VISITORS BUREAU
Volunteer Molly Bourg (left) leads a group on a tour of the Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society in Allensville.
LEWISTOWN — It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to experience the Juniata Valley’s best cultural institutions. In fact, it doesn’t have to cost anything at all.
Depending on how you plan your visit, you can experience many of the Juniata Valley’s most popular museums for free on Tri-County Museum Day, observed in Mifflin, Juniata and Huntingdon Counties on Saturday, September 14.
“We can offer these open hours thanks to our volunteers,” said Forest Fisher, volunteer with the Mifflin County Historical Society and experienced historian and author. “Without the partnership of museum organizations with individuals willing to donate their time, Museum Day would not be possible.”
Fisher, who has long been associated with the Mifflin County Historical Society, said Museum Day has evolved into an opportunity for museums to showcase collections that are, out of necessity, rotated in and out of storage.
Spencer McLaughlin, board member of the Juniata County Historical Society, pointed out that many museums in the area are not open often, so it is unusual for so many locations to work together to be open on a different day – let alone the same day.
“Some locations have decided not to participate because they have not had many visitors in previous years or have had few volunteers available. However, we hope that over time we can expand this to the point where the visitor numbers encourage these locations to participate again,” explained McLaughlin. “In the future, we would like to expand the day and offer additional special events at the individual locations in order to further increase visitor numbers.”
Here are 17 museums you can visit, with addresses and opening hours:
MIFFLIN COUNTY
Burnham Dog House, 200 First Ave., Burnham, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
Hoopes School, Long Lane, Lewistown, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society, 138 E. Main St., Allensville, 9 a.m. to noon
McCoy House Museum, 17 N. Main St., Lewistown, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mifflin County Amish-Mennonite Historical Society, corner of Main and Walnut streets, Belleville, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m
Newton Hamilton Canal Lock House, 515 Ferguson Valley Road, Newtown Hamilton, 10am to 4pm
Newton-Wayne Historical Society, Old Schoolhouse, Front Street, Newton Hamilton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Juniata County
Juniata County Historical Society Archives, 498 Jefferson St., Suite B, Mifflintown, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuscarora Academy Museum, 472 Academy Road, Port Royal, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
HUNTINGDON COUNTY
Bricktown Museum, 300 W. Small St., Mount Union, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friends of the East Broad Top Museum, 550 Main St., Robertsdale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Huntingdon County Historical Society, 106 Fourth St., Huntingdon, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau Exhibition Area Raystown Lake Region, 6993 Seven Points Road, Hesston, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
Isett Heritage Museum, 11941 Stone Creek Ridge Road, Huntingdon, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Juniata College Museum of Art, 1700 Moore St., Huntingdon, noon to 4 p.m.
Rockhill Trolley Museum, 430 Meadow St., Rockhill Furnace, 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m
Swigart Museum, 12031 William Penn Highway (Route 22), Huntingdon, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year, the Juniata County Historical Society is coordinating Museum Day for Mifflin and Juniata counties. In the past, this has been done in conjunction with the Huntingdon Heritage Roundtable—a credit to Lonnie Smith Jr. for his work—and the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau.
“We are happy that the Tourist Office was able to initiate this for our districts, and we are pleased to be able to take it up and continue it,” said McLaughlin, who shares the work with fellow volunteer and board member Bailey Imes. That effort included encouraging museums to participate, finding out what hours each museum would have, and general promotion of Museum Day.
Fisher said the McCoy House will “Long live the Chiefs – US presidents who have visited Mifflin County.” Fisher said: “This exhibit, which celebrates the 2024 U.S. presidential election, is spread throughout the museum and features mini-exhibits of presidents, ex-presidents and presidential candidates who came to central Pennsylvania from 1829 to 2008. Even deceased U.S. presidents passed through Mifflin County on their way to their final resting place.”
Fisher warns visitors not to overlook the political button case, which is loaded with dozens of campaign buttons and ribbons, some dating from 1840 to 2024. This exhibit will remain open Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. after Museum Day through October.
The historical society will also maintain the old Hoopes School, which recently had its interior freshly painted and air-conditioned. The former schoolhouse offers visitors a glimpse into early 20th century rural education.
“A special exhibition on this museum day are school tower bells from the association’s collection, which are brought to the site on a trailer to also ring the sounds of history,” Fisher said: “Museum visits often depend on what is happening in the town or village where the historic sites are located and what might attract potential visitors there so that they choose a museum and stop by.”
“Museum Day offers visitors a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities, all in one day, due to the opening of most local museums,” he added.
Take the day, pick a few places and explore the amazing history and heritage these museums have to offer.
For more information about Tri-County Free Museum Day, visit Facebook.
