August is a good time to take the children to the Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, in Avella, Washington County.
Kids 17 and under will be admitted free courtesy of UPMC.
The museum, which is part of the Senator John Heinz History Center’s family of museums, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005 by the U.S. secretary of the interior, said museum director Dave Scofield. It is recognized as the oldest site of human habitation in North America, officials said.
Scofield said he is grateful to UPMC for the sponsorship and that it will help a lot of families who may not otherwise been able to visit the museum because of financial difficulties during the pandemic.
“This is huge for us,” Scofield said. “It will make such a difference in attracting visitors. I believe our museum is well positioned at this time because we have an outdoor space of 275 acres. There is plenty of room to spread out.”
Get away for the day at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village! Located just an hour away from downtown Pittsburgh in Avella, Pa., it's the perfect destination for your next summer adventure.
Plan your visit ➡️ https://t.co/sl3aGpKFcz pic.twitter.com/TvTlthJoSH
— Heinz History Center (@HistoryCenter) July 27, 2020
Scofield said it is still somewhat of a hidden gem tucked into the countryside in western Washington County.
“It’s off the beaten path, but that is part of the beauty of coming here,” he said. “That is part of the unplugging experience of enjoying nature.”
At Meadowcroft, visitors can safely explore the great outdoors and 19,000 years of history in just one day, said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Heinz History Center, in an email.
“With support from community partners like UPMC and others, we’re able to provide some relief for families – especially those with young children – who are looking for fun, educational experiences after months of being cooped up inside,” Masich said.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Admission is $15 for adults. No advance tickets are needed.
Social distancing is encouraged, and face coverings are required inside the visitor center and other indoor spaces and when near others.
