PA Historic Places Archives

The collage features five photos capturing different aspects of the historic site where the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg was fired. The central image is of the Wisler House, a red brick two-story building with white trim, sitting atop a stone foundation with a porch facing the Chambersburg Pike. In the top right, an image shows a vintage photograph of a stone monument, with a caption detailing its dedication by veterans of the 8th Illinois Cavalry in 1886. Below, a sign points to the "First Shot Wisler House," and next to it is an interpretive panel with an illustration of Union soldiers firing the first shot, accompanied by descriptive text. The bottom right photo focuses on the engraved limestone marker standing on a grassy patch, bearing the names of Captain Jones and Sergeant Shafer of the 8th Illinois Cavalry, honoring the location of that first crucial shot.

Exploring the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - April 1, 2024 0

If you're looking for information about the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker, you're in the right place! Of the estimated 7 million bullets fired...

A photo collage from the Henry Clay Frick estate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, featuring five distinct scenes: 1) The Victorian-style Clayton mansion with a vibrant yellow forsythia in the foreground against a backdrop of leafless trees and a cloudy sky. 2) The estate's historic landmark plaque for Clayton, detailing its construction and renovation dates. 3) The glass-paneled greenhouse surrounded by budding garden beds. 4) An exhibit inside the Car and Carriage Museum, showcasing a bright red vintage car with polished headlights. 5) A colorful outdoor sculpture of a woman dressed in blue, with multiple blue hands raised above her head holding candles and a portrait of a smiling woman’s face at the top, set against the backdrop of the estate's classical architecture.

Exploring the Henry Clay Frick Estate in Pittsburgh

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - March 23, 2024 0

The Henry Clay Frick estate offers a glimpse into the lavish Gilded Age lifestyle of one of Pittsburgh's wealthiest families in the late 19th...

A collage of photos showing both the original PA State Capitol before it burned down, as well as the two war memorials that were created from salvaged columns from the front portico of the capitol building after it burned down in 1897.

Standing Tall | The Capitol Column War Memorials in Central PA

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - March 12, 2024 0

In the heart of central Pennsylvania, two former PA Capitol columns stand as silent witnesses to both the state's architectural heritage and its citizens'...

This collage features four images from a steam train excursion on the Everett Railroad in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. The top left photo shows a steam locomotive emitting plumes of smoke at the station, with the "HOLLIDAYSBURG" sign visible. The top right image displays a bright red caboose with "EVERETT RAILROAD 91517" on the side. The bottom left picture captures a line of passenger cars at the station, decorated with Christmas greenery and a festive tree in the foreground. The bottom right photo shows the train passing under a bridge, with steam enveloping the cars, creating a dynamic scene of movement and activity.

The Everett Railroad | Steam Train Excursions in Blair County

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - January 24, 2024 0

If you're looking for information about the Everett Railroad in Blair County, you're in the right place! Since 2015, the Everett Railroad has been offering...

A collage of images from the Scranton Iron Furnaces in Scranton, PA. The upper left image shows the exterior of the stone furnaces with arches and a modern observation deck. The upper right image features a closer view of an interior arch with a protective gate. The lower left image is a view looking down into the depths of a furnace, revealing its brick lining. The lower right image displays the site's welcoming sign, indicating it is managed by the Anthracite Heritage Museum and designated as a state historic site by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Exploring the Scranton Iron Furnaces Historic Site

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - January 18, 2024 0

If you're looking for information about visiting the Scranton Iron Furnaces historic site in Lackawanna County, you're in the right place! The Scranton Iron Furnaces...

A collage of four images related to the Ashland Mothers' Memorial in Ashland, Pennsylvania. The top left photo shows the bronze statue of the seated woman with the pedestal inscription 'MOTHER / A MOTHER IS THE / HOLIEST THING ALIVE.' The top right photo is a side view of the statue overlooking the town. The bottom left is a historic black and white image of the statue's installation. The bottom right photo shows a plaque stating that the Mothers' Memorial has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.

Exploring the Ashland Mothers Memorial in Schuylkill County

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - December 12, 2023 0

If you're looking for information about visiting the Ashland Mothers Memorial in Schuylkill County, you're in the right place! The Ashland Mothers Memorial is a...

A four-image collage from Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA. Upper left shows a vintage steam engine number 26 inside a roundhouse with steam rising. Upper right features two locomotives, including engine 790, displayed on a turntable with a modern building in the background. Lower left is the Union Pacific 'Big Boy' steam engine number 4012, a large black locomotive parked outside. Lower right is the National Park Service round emblem displayed at the historic site.

Exploring Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - December 4, 2023 0

If you're looking for information about visiting Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, you're in the right place! Steamtown National Historic Site is both a...

A photo collage from the Jennie Wade House in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Top left is the house's exterior with the statue of Jennie Wade. Top right shows a tour guide in period attire inside the house. Bottom left depicts a bedroom with a bed and a quilt. Bottom right is the establishment sign of the Jennie Wade House from 1901.

Exploring the Jennie Wade House in Gettysburg

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - December 1, 2023 0

If you're looking for information about visiting the Jennie Wade House in Gettysburg, you're in the right place! The Jennie Wade House is a historic...

A collage of four images showcasing Searights Tollhouse in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The top left photo displays the tollhouse's exterior with a distinctive octagonal design and 'OPEN' flag. The top right features a close-up of a weathered plaque commemorating the tollhouse as a Registered National Historic Landmark. The bottom left shows a quaint bedroom with antique furniture and window views of the countryside. The bottom right captures the tollhouse with a historical marker in the foreground.

Searight’s Tollhouse | Legacy of the National Road

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - November 27, 2023 0

If you're looking for information about Searight's Tollhouse in Fayette County, you're in the right place! Searight's Tollhouse is a historic landmark and museum along...

A four-image montage of Nemacolin Castle in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, featuring 1) The castle's historic red-brick exterior with a distinctive turret, 2) A luxurious bedroom with a four-poster bed and rich red walls, 3) A classic library with a fireplace and bookcases, and 4) An elegant parlor with blue walls, heavy gold drapes, and a large central table, all showcasing the interior and exterior grandeur of the estate.

Nemacolin Castle | A Visitors Guide to a Fayette County Mansion

PA Historic Places Rusty Glessner - November 6, 2023 0

If you're looking for information about visiting Nemacolin Castle in Fayette County, you're in the right place! Nemacolin Castle, also known as Bowman's Castle, is...