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.

Philipsburg is distinctive in many ways: the town’s forefather, Hardman Philips, was exiled to “the wilderness town” after taking part in a duel in England. Before that, Hardman’s brothers, Henry and James, both of whom died young, “lured” settlers to the unimproved lands by good old-fashioned false advertising.

State College, PA – Central Pennsylvania Stories, a new anthology of 41 historical articles by local historian Ralph Seeley, has just arrived at Centre Furnace Mansion and is now available to the public. Published for the Centre County Historical Society by Mt. Nittany Press, the book’s varied stories cover Centre County and nearby locales from the 17th through 20th centuries.

University Park, P.A.- The HUB-Robeson Galleries in partnership with the Graduate School are proud to present the Visual Arts Annual Graduate Research Exhibition. The exhibition will be on display in HUB Gallery from March 25 through April 17, 2022. Established in 1986, the Graduate Research Exhibition hosted by the Graduate School places special emphasis on communicating research and creative endeavor to a general audience and offers an opportunity for professional development by challenging students to present their work to new audiences.

True Likeness presents an exhibition of contemporary portraits from diverse makers in a variety of media including video, photography, painting collage, installation, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. Artists, some familiar, others more on the fringe of the art world, hail from all over the United States.

Current Exhibitions

An American Place: Selections from the James and Barbara Palmer CollectionThrough April 24, 2022

The story of the coming of age of American art is filled with alliances and ruptures, expatriates and immigrants, transatlantic dialogues and the search for an authentic aesthetic rooted in America.

Located 15 minutes southwest of State College, the Pasto Agricultural Museum connects our agricultural past with present-day practices and cutting-edge research in food and fiber systems, environmental issues, and natural resources.

Visit the fabulous Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum, opened in 1953 and now open year‑round by reservation.