Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society

10/03/2026

The museum is open from noon to 3pm today, we're also down at the Leechburg Fall Festival until 5pm. Come out and see us on this beautiful day!! We're at Leechburg Riverfront Park behind Sprankles Market!

09/12/2026

09/03/2026

Join us and support the Leechburg Public Library!! Tickets available at the Leechburg Public Library or click the link below....

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML63BXJQZH7BY/checkout/4OING5HM5V32JQSNIO2EWHBI

08/22/2026

Great article on the Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society / History Center !!

The first thing visitors to the Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society may notice is not an artifact behind glass or a neatly labeled display.

It’s the walls.

Just inside the front door of the museum, visitors are greeted by colorful murals depicting the people and industries that shaped the region: steel and aluminum workers, farmers, nurses, doctors, chemists, civil defense workers and families on the homefront during World War II.

For more about the museum and the artifacts on display, see the link in our comments.⬇️

08/04/2026

It's National Night Out in West Leechburg and we'll be there! Come see us from 5pm to 8pm, we'll have a "What's this" demonstration for children, calendars and Christmas cards will be available.

07/04/2026

In observance of the nation's 250th Anniversary the Leechburg Area Museum will be open tomorrow, July 4th, from noon to 3pm as usual.. Stop in and see us!

🎇🎆🎇 🇺🇲

06/23/2026

The history of gardening is something we can all dig into 😉

Step into gardening history with a self-paced tour of five demonstration gardens, connecting time-honored practices with modern, research-based approaches for inspiration you can use at home.

06/12/2026

What's New at the Leechburg Area Museum?

Former employees of Allegheny Ludlum's West Leechburg mill will immediately recognize the message board that once greeted workers and visitors at the plant's main entrance. Complete with its original hand-painted sign, created by the mill's own sign department, this piece of industrial history has found a new home at the Leechburg Area Museum.

The message board has been incorporated into our Allegheny Ludlum display alongside the plant's shift-change whistle and the mechanical clock that controlled it. Together, these artifacts help tell the story of daily life at one of the region's most important industrial employers. The display now stands proudly in our Industrial Room, preserving a tangible connection to the generations of men and women who worked at the mill.

Don't Know About the West Leechburg Plant?

The Allegheny Ludlum West Leechburg Plant was one of the most important industrial employers in the Allegheny-Kiski Valley for more than a century. Founded in 1897 as the West Leechburg Steel and Tin Plate Company, the mill grew alongside the region's booming steel and coal industries before becoming part of Allegheny Steel and later Allegheny Ludlum Steel.

Specializing in the processing and finishing of stainless and specialty steels, the plant supplied materials used in products ranging from household goods to industrial and military equipment. For generations, the mill provided thousands of jobs and attracted workers from across Europe, helping shape the growth and character of West Leechburg, Leechburg, and the surrounding communities.

At its peak, the sprawling complex along the Kiskiminetas River stood as a symbol of the region's industrial strength and innovation. Although production ceased and the plant was idled in 2006, its legacy remains deeply woven into the history of the Leechburg area. Generations of local families earned their livelihoods behind its gates, helping make the Allegheny Valley an important center of American steelmaking.

We invite visitors to stop by our Industrial Room and experience this new addition to our Allegheny Ludlum exhibit, where the story of the mill and the people who built our community continues to be preserved for future generations.

06/09/2026

What's New at the Leechburg Area Museum?

Last year, during Leechburg's 175th Anniversary celebration, artist Pipka Ulvilden generously donated her time and talent to create a special painting titled The Leechburg Gift-Bringer. The artwork was unveiled during the week-long celebration, and prints were made available to residents who wanted to add a little more Leechburg spirit to their holiday traditions. In yet another act of generosity, Pipka has donated the original painting to the Leechburg Area Museum, where it is now proudly displayed.

Who is Pipka Ulvilden?

Pipka Ulvilden is an internationally recognized artist, author, and designer best known for her collectible Old World Santa figurines and her celebration of European Christmas traditions. Born in what was then Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia), she spent part of her childhood in Germany before immigrating to the United States with her family after World War II. Drawing inspiration from her Slovak and Bavarian heritage, Ulvilden began her artistic career as a decorative painter specializing in traditional Bauernmalerei (German folk art).

After moving to Sister Bay, Wisconsin, in 1981, she developed her signature Old World Santa designs, depicting Father Christmas traditions from cultures around the world. In 1995, her artwork was transformed into a successful line of limited-edition collectible figurines sold in hundreds of stores nationwide. Beyond her Santa collections, Ulvilden has worked as a teacher, author, entrepreneur, and mixed-media artist. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to preserving cultural traditions, storytelling, and the warmth of family heritage through art.

For Leechburg, Pipka created The Leechburg Gift-Bringer, a Santa-themed painting that incorporates local landmarks and historical elements, demonstrating her unique ability to blend community history with the rich traditions of Old World Christmas folklore. The original painting is now on display in the Museum's Market Street Room, and Christmas cards featuring the artwork are available for purchase at the Leechburg Area Museum.

We invite everyone to stop by, view this beautiful addition to our collection, and celebrate the artistic legacy of a remarkable artist who has given Leechburg a truly special gift.

06/08/2026

In case you didn't know, the Leechburg Museum's calendars are back for 2027 with all new photos and updated historical dates. Calendars are available at the museum for $10 during regular hours (Wednesday and Saturday 12pm to 3pm).