Beaver Area Heritage Foundation - Museum - Beaver Station

06/12/2026

Hundreds of vendors. Delicious food. Historical reenactors. Community organizations. One of Beaver’s favorite traditions.

Take a look back at some scenes from last year’s Garrison Day as we count down to another great day in Beaver!

📅 Saturday, June 13, 2026
🕘 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
📍 Beaver’s Central Parks

06/11/2026

Sometimes it takes a trained eye to identify rare old artifacts dug from the earth. Thanks to the team of archaeologists and cultural resource specialists from Michael Baker International, these have been identified as hardware from the Charleville musket of a Revolutionary War-era soldier at Fort McIntosh in Beaver, PA.

At left is a musket worm and ball puller, used to retrieve stuck ammunition or debris from inside the barrel of a musket. The other two are iron sling swivel fittings, one associated with the trigger guard and the other with the stock, designed to attach a carrying strap.

These were among tens of thousands of artifacts found in the fort digs of the mid-1970s by the University of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh working with a team of local archaeologists, and stored in boxes ever since, only now made available in the public eye.

Bring a friend and see these pieces of real American history for yourself at the free “Fort McIntosh: Its People and Archaeology” exhibit at the award-winning Beaver Area Heritage Museum, 1 River Road Extension, Beaver. Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Sundays of the month, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. https://beaverheritage.org/2026-exhibit-fort-mcintosh-its-people-and-archaeology/

06/09/2026

Something is taking shape along Beaver's waterfront...

What do you think it is?

Join us on July 4 at 11 a.m. at the Beaver Area Heritage Museum for the unveiling of a new interactive project that will eventually become part of the Museum's permanent offerings.

This special preview will be the only opportunity to experience the project in person before its permanent installation in 2028.

Drop your guess in the comments.

06/09/2026

FACES OF FORT McINTOSH - George Rogers Clark (1752-1818) was one of three U.S. Treaty Commissioners at the signing of the Treaty of Fort McIntosh and for whom Clark Park in Beaver is named.

Nicknamed the "Conqueror of the Old Northwest." Highest-ranking U.S. military officer on the frontier during the war. Traveled past Beaver in May 1778 en route to a major victory over the British at Vincennes, Indiana. In 1784, was appointed principal Surveyor of Bounty Lands for veteran soldiers. At the treaty-signing in Beaver in January 1785, Chief Buckongehelas of the Delaware Lenape clasped his hand and said, “I thank the Great Spirit for having this day brought together two such great warriors...”

His brother William Clark likewise is prominent in American history as the co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery mission.

To see more of the faces of United States and Native American Indian leaders who were part of the Fort McIntosh story, bring a friend and visit the free “Fort McIntosh: Its People and Archaeology” exhibit at the award-winning Beaver Area Heritage Museum, 1 River Road Extension, Beaver. Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Sundays of the month, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. https://beaverheritage.org/2026-exhibit-fort-mcintosh-its-people-and-archaeology

06/08/2026

This Saturday: Garrison Day Returns to Beaver!

What is Garrison Day?

Named in honor of the military garrison stationed at Fort McIntosh in the late 1700s, Garrison Day began as a fundraiser organized by the First Company Fort McIntosh Garrison (Fort McIntosh Garrison) to purchase historical reenacting equipment. Today, it has grown into one of the area's largest annual events, welcoming more than 10,000 visitors each year.

Join us this Saturday, June 13, for the 47th Annual Garrison Day Show & Sale, featuring more than 350 arts, crafts, food, nonprofit, and specialty vendors throughout Beaver’s beautiful central parks. Visitors can enjoy shopping, great food, historical reenactors, and a full day of community spirit as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

📅 Saturday, June 13, 2026
⏰ 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
📍 Beaver Central Parks

We look forward to seeing you in Beaver this Saturday!

06/07/2026

We’re open today from 1–4 PM!

Join us at the Beaver Area Heritage Museum to explore our new exhibit, Fort McIntosh: Its People and Archaeology, discover local history, and enjoy free admission.

Today’s opening is made possible through the support of our Sponsor Sunday partner, Bags & Blessings. Their volunteers are serving as our greeters this afternoon, helping us welcome visitors from across the community.

Thank you to Bags & Blessings and to all of our sponsors and volunteers—who help keep local history accessible to everyone.

📍 1 River Road, Beaver
🕐 Sunday, June 7, 1–4 PM
(and first Sunday of each month, except July 5 through Nov.)
🎟 Free Admission

06/06/2026

Some 1,200 U.S. soldiers led by Gen. Lachlan McIntosh marched out of Fort McIntosh here in Beaver in November 1778 on an expedition into the Ohio wilderness. Their mission was to build a fortification -- "Fort Laurens" -- in a quest to reach enemy British forces in Detroit. It became the only Revolutionary War fort in what today is the Buckeye State. Sadly, 21 men never returned to Beaver, most of them killed by hostile Indian parties while trying to forage for wood. One of those unfortunate soldiers today is honored in the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1710449067756391&set=a.477796597688317

We invite you to join us at Fort Laurens for the re-dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot on Saturday, June 27th at 1 pm. We’ll be honoring the Revolutionary War hero who helped secure America’s freedom and tragically lost his life at Fort Laurens. Directed parking will be available off-site.

Ohio History Connection Sons of the American Revolution



Photo provided by Seth Bailey

06/04/2026

History is waiting this weekend.

Explore Fort McIntosh: Its People and Archaeology, the Beaver Area Heritage Museum’s new America250PA exhibit featuring artifacts and stories connected to the birthplace of the U.S. Army.

Open:
Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday, 1–4 p.m.

A special thank you to Bags & Blessings for providing our Sunday greeters and helping make our monthly open weekends possible.

Free admission.
📍 1 River Road, Beaver, PA

06/04/2026

This one's a toughie. Thanks to the trained eyes of archaeologists from Michael Baker International, this has been identified as a hand-forged steel frizzen spring of a soldier’s Charleville musket. It was a key component of the firing mechanism, providing the tension necessary to hold the frizzen closed and produce sparks when struck by the flint. The hand-forged construction demonstrates 18th century blacksmithing techniques and the careful craftsmanship required for reliable firearm operation.

See how this artifact fits into the overall architecture of the musket in the comments.

It was among tens of thousands of artifacts found in the fort digs of the mid-1970s by the University of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh working with a team of local archaeologists, and stored in boxes ever since, only now made available in the public eye.

Bring a friend and see the frizzen spring for yourself at the free “Fort McIntosh: Its People and Archaeology” exhibit at the award-winning Beaver Area Heritage Museum, 1 River Road Extension, Beaver. Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Sundays of the month, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. https://beaverheritage.org/2026-exhibit-fort-mcintosh-its-people-and-archaeology/

06/02/2026

Andy Masich, President & CEO of the Heinz History Center and a longtime friend of the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation, is featured at Beaver Station on the cover of the The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce’s June newsletter.

Inside, readers will find coverage of the Chamber’s recent Speaker Series, which welcomed Andy, Brenda Applegate, Executive Director of the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation, and our own Mark Miner, Chair of the Beaver Area Heritage Museum. Together, they shared insights into Beaver County’s rich historical legacy, its contributions to America’s story, and the opportunities ahead as our region prepares to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to share the story of Fort McIntosh—the birthplace of the U.S. Army in peacetime and the focus of our Museum’s 2026 America250PA exhibit, Fort McIntosh: Its People and Archaeology—with audiences throughout Beaver County, across the region, and beyond.

Read the newsletter and view photos from the event:
Newsletter: t.ly/Uy3GQ
Photo Gallery: https://t.ly/2jZ7x

What’s happening across Beaver County’s business community?

The June 2026 Chamber Newsletter is now available and filled with Chamber updates, Leadership Beaver County highlights, member news, and upcoming opportunities to connect, engage, and grow your business.

Read the full issue: t.ly/Uy3GQ