SINCE 1906
Baker Mansion is closed for tours for the winter season and will reopen
May 27, 2022
with new exhibits.

Blair County Historical Society is open through the winter season and can be reached via email at info@blairhistory.org
​Baker Mansion History Museum follows the CDC guidelines.  All staff have received the COVID-19 vaccine. 
Join us and become a member!
Unlimited tours of the Baker Mansion History Museum during normal operation hours with valid membership!
Membership Type
Your donations are essential in allowing us to continue our mission of saving history.  Thank you for your support. ​
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REGISTRY OF BLAIR COUNTY HISTORIC HOMES PLAQUE

The Blair County Historical Society has established an Historical Commission to document structures in Blair County worthy of a Historical Plaque. To be eligible, the structure must be at least 75 years old and located in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
 For a structure to be listed on the Society’s Registry of Blair County Historic Homes, an owner may purchase a plaque identifying the house or building as historic with the date of construction. If the exact year of construction is not known, the word “CIRCA” will be used on the plaque in place of “BUILT”.
 The lacquered plaque is made of bronze, painted with a brown background with raised lettering and border in polished bronze. The plaque (approximate weight: 5 lbs) is an 8 x 6 inch oval, pre-drilled for mounting on wood or concrete/brick with hardware included. The cost of this plaque is $285.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE HISTORIC PLAQUE APPLICATION.  
historic_plaque_application.pdf
File Size: 178 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Find the American Story in the Heart of the Alleghenies

For over a century, the Blair County Historical Society at Baker Mansion in Altoona, PA has conveyed regional history and the story of the Elias Baker Family.  Settling in the area in 1836, the Bakers became a very affluent family thanks to their rising dominance in iron-making.  Theirs is a story of ambition, perseverance, wealth, and power–all topics that retain great influence in modern society.  Their story remains a highlight of our museum.

At the same time, the Blair County Historical Society is equally dedicated in conveying a story broader and even more dramatic than that of a single family.  The epic saga of Blair County, Pennsylvania is the tale of everyday people like you who were profoundly shaped by the powerful forces of community, nature, war, business, family, hate, and love.  From Tyrone to Claysburg, local and national history was made by seemingly ordinary citizens.  The Baker Mansion History Museum seeks to interpret these common but extraordinary elements of our county through special events as well as exciting and thematic museum displays.  The story of Blair County is the story of America itself.  Come visit us and discover how.
 
Unable to visit historic Baker Mansion in person? 
We welcome you to view our virtual tour, video tour, photo gallery, and orientation film until we reopen.
These orientation films were locally-produced by Altoona filmmaker and graphic designer Mark Frederick at Brush Mountain Media!
Special thanks to some of our partners!  Contribute to our mission of historical excellence!