The “Star of the West” was a title given to Westmoreland County by 18th century German pioneers who regarded it as a “stella” or star as they traveled from eastern Pennsylvania through this region and toward western territories. The 5-pointed star also represents the five counties that were carved from Westmoreland’s original boundaries – Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland. This Star reflects the Society’s mission to provide a guide through history to a greater understanding of the present and a clearer path to the future.
The Westmoreland County Historical Society is an educational organization dedicated to acquiring and managing resources related to the history of Westmoreland County and using these resources to encourage a diverse audience to make connections to the past, develop an understanding of the present, and provide direction for the future.
The Westmoreland County Historical Society maintains a 5,000 volume non-circulating research library of genealogical and local, county, and regional materials; documents and manages a 700,000 item archives collection; manages an historic site, Historic Hanna’s Town; conducts programs at Historic Hanna’s Town and maintains its archaeological collection of over 1 million artifacts; among other items.