Fort Bedford Museum

06/19/2026

Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people in Texas were free. While President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for enslaved people in Confederate states, it was not until the 13th Amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865, that slavery was fully abolished throughout the United States. In the decades that followed, Juneteenth observances spread across the country. In 2021, Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday.

At the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington D.C., the central feature is a bronze sculpture by artist Ed Hamilton titled The Spirit of Freedom. The work stands as a tribute to the United States Colored Troops and honors the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom during the Civil War.

Photo by National Park Service.

06/19/2026

Join us this evening and throughout the weekend for a series of powerful and informative presentations exploring Black history in Bedford County.

Learn about the people, stories, and events that helped shape our community and gain a deeper understanding of Bedford County's rich and diverse past. These engaging presentations will highlight local history, resilience, and contributions that deserve to be remembered and shared.

06/15/2026

The Fort Bedford Museum is pleased to welcome award-winning Civil War historian and author Scott Mingus for a special presentation on Saturday, August 22, at 5:00 PM.

During this engaging program, Mingus will explore the critical role that railroads played during the Gettysburg Campaign, examining how rail transportation influenced military strategy, troop movements, logistics, communications, and the overall course of one of the Civil War's most important campaigns.

Scott Mingus is a multiple award-winning author and historian who has written more than 35 books on the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. He has appeared on C-SPAN, PBS, PCN, and numerous other television networks and is widely recognized as one of the leading scholars of Civil War history in Pennsylvania. In 2023, Mingus and co-author Eric Wittenberg received the prestigious Bachelder-Coddington Award for their book, If We Are Striking for Pennsylvania, recognizing it as the best new book on the Gettysburg Campaign.
Following the presentation, Scott Mingus will have a selection of his books available for purchase and will be signing books for attendees.

This presentation is free and open to the public; however, seating is limited to 30 attendees and advance reservations are required.

To reserve your seat, please:
• Email: [email protected]
• Send a message through the Fort Bedford Museum page
• Call: 814-624-9211
Don't miss this opportunity to hear one of Pennsylvania's leading Civil War historians discuss an often-overlooked aspect of the Gettysburg Campaign and meet the author afterward during the book signing.
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Fort Bedford Museum
Admission: Free (RSVP Required)
Seating: Limited to 30 attendees

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day! Make sure you come down to the Fort Bedford Museum and check out the only known surviving British fort flag from the French and Indian War.

06/07/2026

The Fort Bedford Museum and Bedford County Historical Society would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who attended the Bedford and Beyond Paranormal Panel.

We would also like to offer a special thank you to our featured authors and presenters for sharing their knowledge, experiences, research, and fascinating stories with our audience:

• Patty Wilson
• Adam Shefts
• Ed Kelemen
• Jeffrey A. Dengler
• Mark Nesbitt
• Stan Gordon

We are grateful to these talented authors and researchers for helping make the event such an engaging and memorable experience.

Thank you as well to everyone who purchased tickets, attended the panel, participated in the discussions, asked questions, and supported the Fort Bedford Museum and Bedford County Historical Society. Events like these would not be possible without the support of our community.

We hope you enjoyed an evening filled with history, mystery, folklore, and the paranormal. We look forward to bringing more exciting programs and events to the community in the future!

06/07/2026

What an incredible day at the 2nd Annual Fort Bedford River Rendezvous!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this year's event such a great success. From our reenactors, presenters, vendors, sponsors, and demonstrators to the hundreds of visitors who came out to enjoy the day, your support means so much to us.

A very special thank you goes out to our amazing volunteers whose hard work, dedication, and countless hours of preparation made this event possible. We simply could not do it without you! Also everyone who helped promote this year's event.

The Fort Bedford Museum is proud to see the River Rendezvous continue to grow, and we are already looking forward to next year.

Mark your calendars now—the 3rd Annual Fort Bedford River Rendezvous will return on Saturday, June 5, 2027!

Thank you again for your support, and we'll see you next year on the river!

06/07/2026

06/06/2026

The Fort Bedford Museum would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our 2026 River Rendezvous sponsors! Your generous support helps make this annual celebration of history, heritage, and community possible.

Because of your contributions, we are able to provide educational programs, historical demonstrations, family activities, live presentations, and so much more for our visitors. Your investment in preserving and sharing our region's rich history is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for partnering with us and helping make the 2026 Fort Bedford River Rendezvous a success. We encourage everyone to support the businesses and organizations that support our community events.