Exploring the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County

Exploring the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.

The Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County houses and displays over 40,000 items from everyday life in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Vintage televisions on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage televisions exhibit.

Comprised of 3 large buildings (one of which is a repurposed barn), the Isett Heritage Museum may be the most floor-to-ceiling packed with artifacts museum I’ve ever set foot in!

Vintage boomboxes on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage boomboxes.

And if you’re over 40, odds are you’re going to find SOMETHING from your childhood on display at the Isett Heritage Museum.

Vintage toys on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage toys on display.

History of the Isett Museum

Huntingdon County native Melvin Isett spent his entire lifetime collecting antiques and memorabilia, with dreams of opening a museum someday.

Inside building number Two at the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Inside building number Two at the Isett Heritage Museum.

In 2001, he made that dream a reality and put his collection on display at the museum which bears his name today.

Vintage rifles exhibit at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage rifles exhibit.

Building One

Building One is a renovated 1940s barn, housing many of the 1800s antiques in the museum’s collection.

Building number 1 at the Isett Heritage Museum is a repurposed old barn.
Building One at the Isett Heritage Museum is a repurposed 1940s barn.

A vast array of hand tools and farming equipment are displayed in this building.

Vintage hand tools on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage hand tools exhibit in Building One.

As is a former local dairy bar.

Vintage ice cream parlor exhibit at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage ice cream parlor exhibit.

A local tinsmith’s shop has also been recreated Building One.

Tinsmith shop display at the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County PA.
Tinsmith shop exhibit.

One of the more “modern” exhibits in Building One is a display of vintage radios.

Vintage radios on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage radios.

Building Two

Building Two is a more modern (and larger) building, filled with even more antiques and collectibles.

Buildings number Two and Three at the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Buildings number Two and Three at the Isett Heritage Museum.

From vintage washing machines…

Vintage washing machines on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage washing machines.

to antique musical instruments…

Vintage musical instruments on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage musical instruments.

to classic cars…

Vintage automobiles on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage automobiles on display.

to a large model train display that recreates part of downtown Huntingdon.

Model train display at the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County PA.
Model train display at the Isett Heritage Museum.

Building Two at the Isett Museum is packed with memories and memorabilia.

Vintage jukebox exhibit at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage jukebox exhibit.

Be forewarned though – you’ll be exposed to Cooties in the vintage toy exhibit!

Vintage "Cooties" game on display at the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage “Cooties”.

Building Three

Building Three begins with an impressive collection of cameras from the 1800’s to present.

Vintage cameras exhibit at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage cameras exhibit.

There is also a large section dedicated to military memorabilia from local soldiers.

Vintage military memorabilia at the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage military memorabilia.

A recreated kitchen full of vintage furniture and appliances reminded me a great deal of the grandparent’s house.

Vintage kitchen appliances on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage kitchen appliances and furniture.

A number of beautiful artifacts from local houses of worship have been preserved here as well.

Local church memorabilia on display at the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Local church memorabilia exhibit.

Hours and Directions

The Isett Museum is located at 11941 Stone Creek Ridge Rd, Huntingdon, PA 16652.

How to find the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Map to find the Isett Heritage Museum.

The museum is open April-November on Mon-Sat from 8am-5pm, and Sun from 12pm-5pm.

Vintage computer exhibit at the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage computer exhibit.

The Isett Museum is open December-March on Mon-Fri from 8am-5pm, and weekends by appointment.

Vintage pianos on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage pianos exhibit.

Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for students.

Vintage Atari "Pong" game at the Isett Heritage Museum.
Vintage Atari “Pong” game.

Allow yourself at least two hours to fully explore all the Isett Heritage Museum in Huntingdon County has to offer!

Vintage Voltron camera on display at the Isett Heritage Museum In Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Vintage Voltron camera.

15 Must-See Attractions in Huntingdon County is your guide to even more recreational opportunities near the Isett Heritage Museum.

A winter scene at Hawn's Overlook in Huntingdon County PA
Hawn’s Overlook in Huntingdon County.

Mountains, lakes, waterfalls, museums, covered bridges, railroads, hiking trails – Huntingdon County has them all!

The East Broad Top Railroad hopes to have at least one steam engine back in operation in 2022.
The East Broad Top Railroad in Huntingdon County.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg preserves the natural and man-made history of the Keystone State, from prehistoric times to the present day.

Exploring the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg
Scenes from the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.