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Research Center for Beaver County


The mission of the research center is to provide a central place of referral, study research and preservation for historical and genealogical books, and materials for Beaver County residents, past and present. Holdings include several thousand books, files, records, photographs, and newspaper clippings dating as far back as 1850.

The research center is located in the basement of the passenger train station in Beaver. PA.

The research center is a perfect place to learn more about the history of Beaver County.

Directions - The research center is located in the east end of Beaver, PA.

Attractions nearby - Do not forget to visit the Merrick Art Gallery which is just three miles away in New Brighton and the Air Heritage Museum is just down the road at the Beaver County Airport.

Our holdings include several thousand books of local historical interest, plus many thousands of files containing newspaper clippings and pamphlets on local topics, surnames, firms, towns, churches and schools.

Many of our oldest and most valuable resources came from the Cannegie Free Library's former Pennsylvania Room. The Beaver County Genealogical Society has placed its holdings here. Diversified materials collected from many sources over the years have enabled the Research Center to develop one of the most extensive local historical and genealogical collections in Pennsylvania.

The Research Center is governed by a voluntary board of directors. A small volunteer staff supplements the work of our two part-time paid staff. Operations are funded by an annual donation from the Beaver County Commissioners which covers only a portion of expenses. The Cannegie Free Library generously provides space, utilities and other services.

WE NEED YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT TO SUSTAIN OUR SERVICES. YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS WILL INSURE THE CONTINUING VITALITY AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE RESEARCH CENTER.

 

OUR HOLDINGS INCLUDE

 

Histories of Beaver County and other Pennsylvania counties

Maps and historical atlases

Local newspapers on microfilm back to 1830

Beaver Valley Directories

Cemetery records, books of obituaries compiled from newspapers

Family histories

High school yearbooks

Church histories

DAR Lineage Books

Beaver County School Manuals

Pennsylvania Archives and Colonial Records

Thwaite's Early Western Travels

Egle's Notes and Queries

 

All Beaver and Lawrence County census, all Pennsylvania 1850 census, and more

 

CIVIL WAR

Bates' History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865, now with Index

War of the Rebellion,

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

Official Military Atlas of the Civil War

Histories of many Pennsylvania Regiments

Who Was Who in the Civil War

Photographic histories

Veterans' burial records, and more

 

NEWSPAPER CLIPPING FILES

 

Surnames--over 5600 files

Files on churches, schools municipalities, organizations.

Over 1400 general files, including bridges, rivers, local businesses and industries,

Indians in Beaver County, transportation, tomados, hotels, parks, local sports, many more.

 

PERIODICALS

 

Gleanings

MilestonesCanal magazines

Genealogical newsletters

Other magazines of local historical and genealogical interest.

 

Selected publications of local historical interest are offered for sale.