top of page
Search

Fort Welcomes Library Patrons

Libraries may be bursting with books, but they offer much more to their card holders – including free museum admission with the Experience Kits program!


This summer, libraries in Allegheny, Washington, and Fayette Counties in Pennsylvania, and Jefferson County in Ohio will offer their card holders free admission to nine historical sites: Senator John Heinz History Center, Duncan & Miller Glass Museum, Fort Pitt Museum, Historic Fort Steuben, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, Merrick Art Gallery, Old Economy Village, Somerset Historical Center, and West Overton Village & Museum.


Each “Experience Kit” provides library card holders with free admission for up to four people per visit, as well as educational support materials and itinerary suggestions tailored to the site. It’s essentially a pre-planned road trip, ready to go when you are. Kits can be checked out for one week at a time, and some libraries even allow patrons to select their specific week – a perk for visitors or family vacations.


This program stems from the original collaboration between the Heinz History Center Affiliate Program, which includes more than 125 regional historical societies and organizations dedicated to preserving their local history, and Whitehall Public Library. As of 2022, the initiative has since expanded to include over fifty libraries throughout four counties, and nine historical sites.


Paul Zuros, Executive Director of Historic Fort Steuben, is eager to welcome library card holders to the site. "A collaboration with the library is a natural fit...we both want to encourage learning."


Sarita Asawa, Community Outreach and Programming Coordinator of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County is new to the project and excited to be included in the program this year.


“Many of our patrons visit Pittsburgh museums,” Asawa said. “We’re extremely happy to extend tickets that highlight lesser-known museums and increase our patron access to cultural activities.”


According to Sarah Scott, a librarian at Whitehall Public Library, the program has grown in value since she started the initiative in 2017.


“With each year of this project, we are able to offer more for our communities,” said Scott. “It has been fun finding new opportunities to explore, and the positive feedback we receive from patrons is incredibly rewarding.”


Later this year, the libraries and historical sites will offer free virtual spotlight lectures that showcase the significance of the sites and a few of the remarkable relics found in their collections. In conjunction with these adult programs, the libraries will offer virtual storytime programs with fun and engaging activities for children.


Robert O. Stakeley, the History Center Affiliates Program Manager at the Senator John Heinz History Center, agrees with Scott and Asawa and adds, “It’s been great to see this program grow and evolve over time to include more libraries and to incorporate so many different and diverse museums. With the current price of gasoline limiting travel, this program provides everyone with an excellent opportunity to explore what our region has to offer within a short driving distance.”


As an added incentive this year, anyone who visits at least three sites before October 31, 2022, can enter to win one of five amazing raffle baskets.


For more information about the Experience Kits, contact your local library.


 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All
The Fabrics of History

When we bring students to Historic Fort Steuben, one of the questions we ask them is “How do historians discover what happened in the...

 
 
 
15th Annual Quilt Show

“Stack and Whack,” “Bandana Fury,” “Chasing Windmills,” and “Dogs in Sweater” are just a few of the works on display at the 15th Annual...

 
 
 
They Said It Couldn’t Be Done

In November 1985, Prof. Jack Boyde of the Franciscan University of Steubenville spoke at a meeting of the American Association of...

 
 
 

Kommentare


Contact Us

We would love to hear from you. Have you been to Historic Fort Steuben? Are you planning a trip to Historic Fort Steuben? Do you have a comment about your visit or a question for us?

Hours

Open from May through October, 
Monday - Friday from 10-4 • Saturday from 10-4 • Sunday from 11-4.


Fort Steuben Visitor Center and Museum Shop  is open all year, Monday - Friday from 10-4,
except Christmas - New Year's and other holidays.

Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Your message has been received. Someone will be in touch soon!

Historic Fort Steuben 
PO Box 1787 | 120 South Third Street
Steubenville, OH 43952

© 2021 Historic Fort Steuben

Designed by Chris Veltri, Pierce Media Productions

bottom of page