The Blair County Historical Society was chartered on July 23, 1906 as a non-profit association open to all persons interested in preserving the history of Blair County.   Since its inception, the society has taken an active role in preserving and interpreting this region's heritage, through marking sites of historical significance, publishing books and pamphlets on local history, and collecting and preserving artifacts relevant to the heritage of the area's people.  

Since 1922, our headquarters have been in the Baker Mansion, Altoona.   After leasing the building for two decades, the society purchased it from the Baker heirs in 1941.   Here the society operates its museum, at which visitors can see period rooms depicting the Baker family's lifestyle, as well as exhibits on the early iron industry, transportation, medicine, military history, toys, geology, and education.   Changing displays are presented in the second floor gallery.   The mansion also holds the society's offices, library and archives

The society also owns the Springfield Furnace Mansion (Royer House) which has been rehabilitated for adaptive reuse as two apartment units and community meeting space; the Etna Furnace stack, which was stabilized in 1990; and the Dick Schoolhouse, which received a new roof and partial exterior repairs in 1997. With Etna Furnace's proximity to the Lower Trail, the society is also partnering with Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania to provide trail users with interpretation of vestiges of the canal era along the route.

Through the efforts of Rep. Rick Geist, the Society has received a state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant of $1,400,000 for a major rehabilitation of the Baker Mansion.   Exterior restoration was completed in 2001 and, with the release of the remaining funding, interior work is set to begin this year.   This work will include restoration of period rooms, improvements to visitor services such as restrooms and fire safety, and upgrades to exhibits.

The society operates on an annual budget of approximately $80,000.   Funding comes from memberships, museum admission fees, donations, and fundraising events.   We receive a yearly allocation from the county of $5,000, which is matched by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.   The society operates with three year-round part-time employees, five to six summer student docents, and approximately 60 volunteers.

The society is a member of the Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations, the Alliance of Pennsylvania County Historical Societies, the American Association for State and Local History, and the Allegheny Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau.