The Centre County Encyclopedia of History & Culture continues to add intriguing articles about Centre County’s past.

Embark on a journey through time and tradition as you explore Happy Valley's rich history and heritage. Dive deep into the secrets of the past, and immerse yourself in the stories that shaped this vibrant region. Discover it all at our museums and historic sites, where visitors can learn firsthand about the fascinating history of Happy Valley.

Rockhill Furnace, PA — The historic East Broad Top Railroad is thrilled to announce that it has been named the number three best scenic train ride in North America by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This prestigious recognition follows a month of online voting, where train enthusiasts and the general public alike had the opportunity to cast their votes.

There is always something new to discover at Talleyrand Park in downtown Historic Bellefonte. Many are familiar with the gazebo, ducks, and playground here, but can you find the sculpture garden, edible landscape garden, and the bridge that connects the two main areas of the park?

State College, PA - The Centre County Historical Society is holding a Centre County Explorers Day for visitors of all ages at the Centre Furnace Mansion on Sunday, June 9, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to pick up a Centre County Explorers Passport booklet for themselves or their family and friends, tour the Centre Furnace Mansion, and visit a 19th century building tool display and demonstration.

Join us on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from noon to 8:30 p.m. for a day filled with fun and festivities as we celebrate the rich history of Potter Township! Rain or shine, this all-day event promises a memorable experience for you, your family, and friends. Come and be a part of this wonderful community gathering to celebrate Potter Township's 250th Anniversary Heritage Day Festival!

Please join us for this special two day event starting June 14th with an Art Exhibition at the Woskob Family Gallery. Followed by the Juneteenth Block Party on June 15th at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and Fraser Street.

Travelers can explore museums and historical sites in Happy Valley that showcase Happy Valley's rich history. The Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Iroquois tribes made their life off the land by planting crops in the fertile valleys and hunting game among the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains. Explorers and settlers arrived in the mid-18th century, and industry would soon follow a couple of decades later with the discovery of iron ore.

From the beautiful Victorian homes to the sites enshrined in the National Register of Historic Places, nearly everywhere you turn in Bellefonte, you can see traces of the rich history of our community. Local Historia, a group with a “passion for local history, community, and preservation,” is a terrific source for finding out more about this history, and one of their most important recent projects is their tour, “The Underground Railroad in Bellefonte, PA.”