Our Exhibits
These exhibits are only a faction of the materials available at our center. Don't forget to stop by and see more of our collections.
Photo Album
Take a look at some photos of current and past JCHC exhibits:
To view the photos on Flickr, click here.
Living On The Land
Our newest permanent exhibit is now open to the public and includes sections titled Out of the Mist, The Settlers’ Lot, Clear-cuts & Conservation, Working the Fields, Moving About, Buried Treasure, Business & Industry, and Into the Woods. Walk through each of the sections, explore the buildings, learn more from our interpretive touch screens and let the kids explore the numerous hands-on displays.
Drumbeat to War
The first of several Civil War exhibits commemorating the 150th anniversary of the war.
Drumbeat to War focuses on the excitement and expectations of 1861. Within the exhibit, you will find dioramas, depictions, and original artifacts pertaining to the recruiting, training, and daily camp life of new recruits from Jefferson County.
Journeys
Experience Journeys, the newest exhibit in our 2011-2015 commemoration of the Civil War. The exhibit presents people of color to, and through, Jefferson County over the years. Journeys tells the story many diverse groups of people, including African Americans, Native Americans, Chinese, and Koreans, all who have lived among the Scots-Irish and German locals of Jefferson County.
Enter through the Underground Railroad "tunnel" and be surprised as you hear the sounds of runaway slaves seeking shelter from a Federal Marshal. Once inside, take a look at the model of the Underground Railroad house at 64 Pickering Street, noticing the changes in the building over time.
Come visit the Jefferson County History Center today to witness this one-of-a-kind exhibit!
This project is supported by a Preserve America grant from the National Park Service and administered under the Preserving African American Heritage in Pennsylvania program of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Bowdish Model Railroad Exhibit
The Bowdish Model Railroad is our longest running and most popular exhibit. Stop by anytime to see the miniature recreation of Jefferson County from the brilliant mind of Charles Bowdish. We offer special train shows once a month so guests have the opportunity to watch the miniature world come to life.
There's always something new on the layout...see if you can discover what our Bowdish Volunteers have created recently!
Charles Albert Bowdish: An Old-fashioned Feller
The story of the creative genius of Charles Bowdish and his miniature railroad creations. Take a look at the man and the mind behind the JCHC's most popular exhibit.
Ada Edelblute Pearsall Parlor
Take a step back into the past in our recreation of a Victorian Parlor adorned with original artifacts that are dated from 1860 to 1900.
Richardsville: Change Over Time
This new exhibit follows the stories of the Sartwell family who arrived prior to the Civil War and who left in the 1920s. To create this exhibit, we held two community meetings with Richardsville folks and worked with rural sociologists from Penn State University. Opportunities exist for this and other townships - broadband technology, heritage tourism, and probably the opportunity with the greatest potential - the natural gas found in Marcellus shale.
Welcome to the Seat of Jefferson County
View this exhibit about the County's judicial history, then take a walk down Main Street to visit the newly preserved Jefferson County Courthouse. This exhibit includes an early model of the courthouse and the original wooden hands from its clock tower.
Scripture Rocks
The archaeology case maintained by the North Fork Chapter 29 highlights Douglas Stahlman and the Scripture Rocks, presenting the chapter's recording project.
Oak School Quilt
The 1930s, the Great Depression years, was a time for using scraps and making quilts. This quilt includes the names of individuals connected with the Oak School in Sigel.