Program allows residents to explore the region’s hidden gems
Pittsburgh, Pa. (July 30, 2024) – The Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) and the Senator John Heinz History Center have once again teamed up to offer a free Experience Kit for several regional historical sites.
The Experience Kit program provides library card holders free admission for up to two adults and six children at eight designated attractions The sites include Historic Fort Steuben, Steubenville, OH; Braddock’s Battlefield History Center, Braddock, PA; Fort Ligonier, Fort Ligonier, Ligonier, PA; Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington, PA; Fort Pitt Museum, Pittsburgh, PA; Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, Avella, PA; and the Depreciation Lands Museum, Allison Park, PA.
The kits can be checked out for up to one week at a time and include virtual access to educational support materials and suggestions on other activities for each site to maximize the overall experience.
“This programserves as an extension of ACLA’s goal to allow residents to discover and learn outside of the brick-and-mortar libraries,” said Amy Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of the Allegheny County Library Association. “The Heinz History Center is one of our many valued partners that allows us to offer these unique learning experiences for our residents and we are grateful for their contributions.”
The Experience Kit program is being coordinated through the Heinz History Center’s Affiliates Program (HCAP), which includes more than 125 regional historical societies and organizations dedicated to preserving local history. The Affiliate Program members include history, genealogy, and library organizations located primarily within the counties of Western Pennsylvania.
Robert O. Stakeley, the History Center Affiliates Program Manager at the Senator John Heinz History Center, agrees with Amy and adds, “It’s been wonderful to see this program grow and evolve over time to include more libraries. Plus, it has been very rewarding to continue to incorporate so many different, diverse, and historically significant museums from across our region. This program provides everyone with an exceptional opportunity to explore what our region has to offer within a short driving distance.”
Those interested in participating in the program can visit their local library to check out a kit. A list of participating libraries is available at aclalibraries.org/experience-kits.
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About the Allegheny County Library Association
The Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) is a system of 46 independent public libraries with more than locations that work together, share resources and cooperate to better serve county residents. These libraries are community connectors providing opportunities for personal and professional development through access to content and experiences for all ages. ACLA libraries support education and exploration while developing early literacy skills, school readiness and lifelong learning. The Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) is the primary funder of ACLA and has committed one third of its allocations for library service annually since its inception in 1995.
About Heinz History Center Affiliates Program
The History Center Affiliates Program (HCAP) includes more than 125 regional historical societies and organizations dedicated to preserving local history. Affiliate Program members include history, genealogy, and library organizations located primarily within the counties of Western Pennsylvania. Membership in the program brings the extensive expertise and resources of the History Center’s staff to these organizations, especially in the areas of museum and archival work that enable each affiliate organization to reach its goals.
