A.D.White Research Society

04/05/2026

in 2005, Meadowcroft Rockshelter was designated a National Historic Landmark 🎉🪨

Recognized as one of the most significant archaeological sites in the country, the Rockshelter is among the earliest known places of human habitation in North America, with evidence dating back nearly 19,000 years.

Experience it for yourself when Meadowcroft opens for its 56th season on Saturday, May 2.

📷 Dave Scofield, director of Meadowcroft, hangs the National Historic Landmark plaque in the renovated enclosure at the Rockshelter, c. 2007.

03/31/2026

Behind the scenes at Meadowcroft, preparations for the season ahead are in full swing!

One important task? Rebuilding the wigwams in the 16th-century Monongahela Indian Village.

Andrew Donavan, education and program manager at Meadowcroft, carefully constructs each wigwam using traditional techniques. The process begins with 24 rattan mats sewn together into a “matting sandwich” with a layer of plastic sheeting between them. The mats are then staggered, overlapped, and tied to create a surface that sheds water before being secured to sturdy wooden frames.

The result is a sturdy, water-resistant structure that helps bring the village to life for visitors each season.

Save the date – Meadowcroft opens Saturday, May 2 for its 57th season!

📷 Andrew Donavan building a wigwam in Meadowcroft’s 16th-century Monongahela Indian Village.

03/23/2026

03/17/2026

03/13/2026

Meadowcroft once sat alongside an active coal mine? ⛏️

This photograph from March 10, 1939, shows the Mine Tipple that loaded coal onto trucks and railroad cars tucked into the hillside below the Rockshelter. Today, Meadowcroft’s entrance road actually sits atop the former railroad bed, and the tipple once stood right along the cliff face beside it.

It’s a reminder that Meadowcroft’s landscape holds many layers of history, from ancient human occupation to the industrial era that shaped Western Pa.

03/08/2026

11/22/2025

We here at the A. D. White Research Center have been busy sorting and organizing the history of Avella Area families like yours, and we realized that this upcoming holiday season presents a plethora of opportunities to capture your family’s stories. You know, all those “I wish I’d written that down” moments!
In anticipation of conversations that will happen while you’re catching up and getting reacquainted with family members, we’ve put together some tips to get the stories flowing!

Here are some conversation-starter questions:
• What are your earliest childhood memories?
• Who was your childhood best friend?
• How did you celebrate your birthday?
• What is your favorite family recipe or dish?

When the story has already begun, here are some questions you can ask to keep it going:
• Where did this happen?
• Who was with you?
• Was it planned or spontaneous?
• Did anyone get hurt?
• Would you do it again?
• Did you get in trouble for it?

Some other tips:
• Put the voice recorder app on your phone home screen for easy access when the stories start! Later, you can use a Talk- to-Text application to get a transcript you can edit later.
• Show people photos and note the details in pencil on the back, capturing what you can of who is in the picture, what is the occasion, where was it taken, when was it taken. For group photos, specify names are Left or Right or whatever is appropriate so faces and named can be matched up.
• Ask others what details they can add to the info you have.
• Take pictures of items and mementos such as tickets, receipts, locks of hair, memorabilia, souvenirs of trips, etc. This can help you tie items that may be loose in boxes to the stories behind them.

We hope you capture some valuable memories and would love to hear them!

11/03/2025

11/02/2025

What a great turnout for Trick or Treat at the Train Station today! Thanks to Carolyn Lee for passing out the treats and to Phoebe Armstrong from McKeever Study Library Association, Inc. for keeping us supplied!