A Brief History of Blair County
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Blair County celebrated its sesquicentennial in 1996. We have looked to our past with the satisfaction that our ancestors have built a true community. Now, we look forward to a future that will carry us into the twenty-first century. We have great opportunities to carry Blair County forward in the upcoming years, building a richer future by preserving the past. Please feel free to read A Brief History of Blair County by Sylva Emerson to gain a comprehensive understanding of how local people, places, events, ideals, and traditions transformed the county into what it is today.
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About the Blair County Historical Society
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The Blair County Historical Society (BCHS) 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 historical sites, 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 located at Baker Mansion in 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. Rotating displays are presented on the second floor. 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. Since 2016, the Society has leased out the property to site managers and operators. Where work continues to enhance the property and offer community events. Learn more about Royer Mansion by visiting here. Our funding comes from memberships, museum admission fees, donations, grants, and fundraising events. We are completely dependent upon the time, talent, financial resources, and passion of our volunteers and benefactors. 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, Explore Altoona, and the Blair County Chamber of Commerce. Today, we proudly boast a wide array of accomplishments and goals in the community. Offering diverse levels of educational programs, lectures, tours, reenactments, publications, and services, we intend to build upon our rich tradition as a non-profit organization. |
Members of the Blair County Historical Society at Baker Mansion in 1934. Left to right, seated: William I. Woodcock, Plymouth W. Snyder, Harry A. Jacobs; standing: Dr. Guy C. Robb, Bertha McLaughlin, Annie E. Berg, Tarring S. Davis, Bessie Confer, Floyd G. Hoenstine, Matthew M. Morrow, Donald Yoder, Mary M. Morrow, Margaret Nicholson, Walter S. Irvine, Nellie Berg, William T. Canan, and Thomas J. Trout.
Amtran bus services celebrates its anniversary at Baker Mansion prior to the structure's exterior renovation.
Baker Mansion at Christmas. Courtesy of John Patton.
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