The Fort Bedford Museum was built in 1958, 200 years after the original Fort Bedford was constructed during the French and Indian War.
The museum tells the story not only of that specific war and time period, but of the people that inhabited the region before and since, as well as their history and customs.
Located just off the Lincoln Highway in downtown Bedford, the Fort Bedford Museum is an outstanding place to learn about the history of this part of Pennsylvania, once considered the “Wild West” of colonial America.
Brief History of Fort Bedford
Fort Bedford was constructed during the French and Indian War by British troops under the command of Colonel Henry Bouquet, who in turn answered to General John Forbes.
The French and Indian War in America was a fight to determine who would control the “Ohio Country” (part of which is modern day western Pennsylvania), the French and their Native American allies, or the British and their Native American allies.
Three years earlier in 1755, British General Edward Braddock had been soundly defeated (and mortally wounded) in an attempt to remove the French from Fort Duquesne, site of present-day Pittsburgh.
To succeed where Braddock had failed, General Forbes ordered a road be built from Philadelphia westward towards Fort Duquesne, with a series of forts and supply depots built roughly every 50 miles along the route to protect his supply lines.
The Fort Bedford Museum is NOT a replica of the original fort, like Fort Ligonier in Westmoreland County, built during the same military campaign.
Rather, it is fashioned to look like a “blockhouse” from around the same time period, one of several blockhouses that are believed to have been part of the original Fort Bedford.
There is, however, a detailed model of what the original Fort Bedford is believed to have looked like on display inside the museum.
Touring the Fort Bedford Museum
The Fort Bedford Museum contains thousands of artifacts and numerous exhibits that tell the story of the people and events that shaped the history of present-day Bedford County.
Being named after a fort, of course there are plenty of military artifacts on display, as you would expect.
But there is much more to the museum than just “war stories”.
Means of transportation, styles of clothing and furniture, famous citizens, and inventions that were born in Bedford County are chronicled as well.
The Original Fort Bedford
Portions of the footprint of the original Fort Bedford are visible at a small park just a few hundred yards east of the Fort Bedford Museum.
Accessible either from East Pitt Street (the original Lincoln Highway) or via a riverwalk and stairs from below, the original foundation and reproduction of the stockade are worth seeing if you’re a history buff.
Directions & Hours
The Fort Bedford Museum is located just off the original Lincoln Highway at 110 Fort Bedford Dr, Bedford, PA 15522.
Seasonal winter hours at the museum (December to May): Saturday – Sunday 10 am -4 pm.
Related Attractions
PA’s Best Military-Themed Attractions highlights some of Pennsylvania’s most fascinating battlefields, forts, military museums, and historic sites, all based on my firsthand visits across the Keystone State.
30 Must-See Attractions in Bedford County showcases more remarkable sights and experiences near the Fort Bedford Museum.
A Smarter Way to Explore Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania like a pro with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map, showcasing over 1,000 memorable destinations I’ve personally visited across the Keystone State.
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