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The Story OF Laurel Highlands Historical VillageTo Date
With one goal Historic Preservation through education
Laurel Highlands Historical Village
Laurel Highlands Historical Village is located in Cambria County. Back when we started our efforts, in 2002 we had one simple goal historical Preservation. To walk the mountains that surround Johnstown, is like stepping back in time, where you can see scattered about the forest floor the old foundations that once housed those pioneers who worked to clear the lands and harvest the timber. The fact is that most of the original Pioneers, who worked so hard in Cambria County, and our surrounding counties, are becoming lost in time. Their stories, their work ethics, their music, their way of life are slowing disappearing. We also have to look at Cambria County and ask ourselves, those in our community how did they survive the test of time? We want to not only show case the families who can trace their roots back many generations, but the business we have, our cities, our townships, and others. We have always valued the role of preservation in preserving community character and honoring those who came before us. Our civic ancestors built the structures that dot our landscapes today and some remain. However most of the story is fading. Our focus areas include: Farming, Conservation, Music, Food, Dance, Home Crafting, Timber, woodworking, and other crafts of the time. We then look to where we are today, and ask the question where are we headed. We also want this event to be a positive event whereby we say “Be proud of who you are, Be proud to say I live in Cambria County.” It’s time to address that disparity. In 2018 Laurel Highlands Historical Village is expanding the opportunities available for historic preservation. Preservation programs offerings will mirror the programs available for arts and heritage organizations, to take part in a first for Cambria County as we host the first ever Cambria County Heritage Festival
The Laurel Highlands Historical Village, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 2003 to promote appreciation and understanding of the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of the South Western Pennsylvania Highlands region. This area has served as home to many peoples who, in the 19th century, immigrated from their homelands to join the Native Americans living here for generations. The settlers worked in coal mines, steel mills, on railroads, as laborers and farmers. As our nation forged itself into a nation of Liberty, freed African peoples and immigrants from every continent continued to supplement our society. The result is an ever-changing array of culture unlike any in the world.
It is Laurel Highlands Historical Village’s intent that the our Mission offered to the community will result in building a more diversified, connected and stronger community for future generations.
Laurel Highlands Historical Village was founded in 2003 as nonprofit organization to promote appreciation and understanding of the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of the South Western Pennsylvania Highlands. The Laurel Highlands is home to diverse array of people who emigrated from their homelands to join the Native Americans who lived here for generations. The immigrants worked as farmers, merchants, coal and iron miners, steelworkers, railroaders, teachers, pastors, and in every profession that is part of American society. As our nation forged itself into a nation of liberty, and our economy grew to offer opportunities, the Laurel Highlands became a magnet for freed slaves and immigrants from every continent. As a result, we enjoy a rich array of cultural diversity that rivals any place in the world. Our region is truly an example of the “American Melting Pot” where diverse cultures work hard together to build a better life.
The mission and goal of the LHHV is to provide programs and opportunities to understand our history, to appreciate the accomplishments of our ancestors, and to understand how differences in our cultural heritage contribute to, and strengthen American society. In short, LHHV exists to illuminate the real value of cultural diversity when it exists in an atmosphere of understanding, cooperation, and working together.
LHHV pays special attention to the need for future generations to learn the customs, traditions and practices of their ancestors. We lead field trips on trails through our hills, take kids fishing, and we show them the mills and factories where their grandparents worked so hard. In addition, LHHV operates our “Penns woods Project” which provides refurbished computers, recycled from businesses, to students who cannot afford these tech-tools that are necessary for their education. Join us as we continue to grow! Your interests, talents and knowledge are very valuable to us. If you would like to be part of LHHV, please contact us via E-Mail, US Mail or Phone. in-kind contributions gratefully
To provide a forum to inspire, motivate and teach young people about their rich cultural and ethnic Inheritance through storytelling, handicrafts and skills demonstrations and seminars, period architecture, garments, tools and lifestyles. We want to provide a powerful and vivid experience that is both entertaining and educational, and engenders in our children and youth interest in the many and varied ethnicity which shaped our nation.
As an historical venue, the Laurel Highlands Historical Village seeks to create an ethnic-centered heritage village reflecting life in earlier times and is accessible to the public. We hope to showcase the contributions, skills and talent of many ethnic groups who shaped the progress of this region.
The Village will be created on a tract of land, and will be complete with replicas of buildings, gardens and trails as well as domestic and work-related features common to the Laurel Highlands region per-industrial revolution. LHHV’s focus will be on areas such as glass blowing, textiles, agronomy, conservation, blacksmiths, music, farming, food, arts and crafts, with emphasis on teaching the skill in the context of various era lifestyles.