OUR HERITAGE. OUR STORY.
FORT BEDFORD MUSEUM
FORT BEDFORD MUSEUM
SEASONAL HOURS
Sat & Sun 10-4
WELCOME TO FORT BEDFORD
MUSEUM
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A RICH COLLECTION OF LOCAL & REGIONAL HISTORY
Built in 1958 by Bedford residents to commemorate construction of the original French & Indian War fort in 1758,
Fort Bedford Museum houses over 4,000 objects from Bedford’s past.
For 57 years, the Museum displayed its entire collection as many museums once did: in rows of wood and glass cases.
In 2015, the Bedford Heritage Trust began a five-year plan to renovate and update Fort Bedford’s exhibits, collections management practices, and educational programming. If you haven’t visited us lately, come see what we’ve done!! Two new interpretive exhibits—Becoming Bedford and Cave to Empire—were opened in 2016 and 2017. And now in 2019, we are delighted to open our latest exhibition of The Story of "Indian Eve" Ernst.
WE DIG HISTORY
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And your kids will too! Kids at summer camp will experience excavations of artifacts in our own backyard.
LEARN MORE
ADMISSION
2019 Season Admission rates:
• Adults: $7.00
• Seniors: $.6.00
• Students: $5.00
• Under 6 & Active Military: FREE
MEMBERSHIPS
A membership is vital to the renewal and continued preservation of our history. Our patrons past support has helped to create new exhibits and programs to enhance our visitors' understanding and appreciation of the area's historical significance.
GROUP TOURS
Whether your group is large or small, we can accommodate it. A docent is available to provide a guided tour. A discounted group rate is available.
MUSEUM RENTAL
If your business or organization needs a space to have an event or meeting, the Fort Bedford Museum makes for a unique and memorable space. We can accommodate catered meals, have chairs for lectures, tables for workshops, and space for mingling.
NEW EXHIBITS OPEN
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CAVE TO EMPIRE
Learn the story of Bedford’s Native Peoples from
the age of the Paleoindian through Contact
with Europeans.
EXHIBIT THANK YOUS
We are thankful for our generous sponsors: Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, White Historic Art, and Mari-Pat Beene. Special recognition to Suzanne Trussell, CORLEation Marketing & Design, Beene Creative Design, Bedford Fine Art Gallery and James Hostettler.
VISIT TODAY!
BECOMING BEDFORD
The exhibit tells the story from the first primitive settlements to the dynamic entrepreneurs who influenced the Bedford's growth from 1790s through 1920s.
FUTURE EXHIBITS
Our next, and most ambitious, goal is the transformation of the Museum’s French & Indian War exhibit. The Fort Bedford Museum should present stories of the original fort, Forbes Road, and the “clash of empires” that caused the French & Indian War in the most compelling way possible. Your support will bring this exhibit to fruition.
ADOPT AN ARTIFACT
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Artifacts take maintenance and it takes a caring, experienced, professional hand. Your adoption is an act of preservation and will help to keep it on display for all to enjoy.
AVAILABLE ITEMS
- This is a close up of the signature on the edge of the flag, which is something that is not highlighted in the display label, nor can be easily read from the exhibit floor level.
- SUZANNE TRUSSELL / ARCHAEOLOGIST
- CURATORS CORNER
- In the exhibit 'Becoming Bedford', there is a large American flag hanging from the ceiling. This was the flag that flew over Barclay's regiment in the civil war when he was in Ohio and then he brought it with him to Bedford when he returned."
- SUZANNE TRUSSELL / ARCHAEOLOGIST
- CURATORS CORNER
- Welcome to Curators Corner. We will feature an interesting factoid on selected artifacts on regular basis—a behind the scenes peak—check back on a regular basis to see what we feature next!"
- DR. JENNIFER FORD / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- CURATORS CORNER
- Welcome to Curators Corner. We will feature an interesting factoid on selected artifacts on regular basis—a behind the scenes peak—check back on a regular basis to see what we feature next!"
- DR. JENNIFER FORD / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- CURATORS CORNER