Help Bring Three Visionary Projects to Life
Big dreams are taking shape at the beloved and award-winning Beaver Area Heritage Museum — an ambitious, multi-year vision designed to celebrate more of our region’s rich history and inspire a sense of wonder among children, families and visitors for generations to come.
The Heritage Foundation is moving forward with three interconnected projects that will expand the Museum’s public spaces and the stories we are able to tell: the addition of a historic railroad caboose and permanent rail history exhibit; the creation of a dedicated Fort McIntosh Room; and the relocation and expansion of the Museum Gift Shoppe.
Caboose / Rail History
Bringing Beaver County’s Rail History to Life
The Foundation recently purchased a vintage caboose in Ohio that trustees believe is an excellent fit for the project. Featuring a traditional cupola and a largely intact interior, the caboose is exceptionally well preserved — reducing the need for costly and time-consuming sandblasting and interior renovation.
The caboose will be installed alongside the Museum on the site of the original rail siding of the former P&LE Railroad freight station, creating a natural setting for interpreting our rich local rail history.
The caboose will be made handicap accessible and become a permanent rail history exhibit. Visitors will learn about the functions of a working caboose and its crew, along with the history of railroads, streetcars and trolleys throughout the Valley. Displays will feature route maps, dates, names of former lines and historic photographs. Operating models of a Beaver Valley Traction Co. trolley and the last P&LE passenger train that served our area are also planned.
First look at the hologram of General Lachlan McIntosh, part of the Fort McIntosh Digital Twin project currently in development for public debut in 2028. A future version will feature General McIntosh speaking with a Scottish brogue that reflects his Scottish heritage.
A New Home for Fort McIntosh
The Museum’s existing Gift Shoppe will become the permanent Fort McIntosh Room.
The Museum expansion will also allow us to relocate and dramatically expand the Fort McIntosh display. The current Gift Shoppe space — the freight station’s former manager’s office — will become a dedicated Fort McIntosh Room, allowing more of the fort’s archaeological artifacts to be displayed and its nationally significant story to be interpreted in a more expansive and visually engaging setting.
Plans incorporate new technology, including a “digital twin” of Fort McIntosh and a 3-D talking hologram of Gen. Lachlan McIntosh. The new room will complement planned improvements at the Fort site, with the two envisioned as a destination for military-history audiences and tourists from throughout the country.
An Expanded, All-Season Gift Shoppe
The Museum’s existing loading dock will be enclosed to create a larger, all-season Gift Shoppe on the back deck/loading dock. The new location will give the Shoppe greater prominence for visitors while freeing its current space for the expanded Fort McIntosh exhibit.
The Foundation has already received more than $100,000 in lead gifts toward its $300,000 fundraising goal for these projects.
Leave Your Mark on Beaver County History
Your gift can become a lasting part of the Heritage Museum Expansion Project.
Donors making gifts of $1,000 or more will receive permanent recognition on a donor plaque honoring those whose generosity helped bring this project to life.
Whether you choose to make a recognition-level gift or support the project with a smaller contribution, every gift helps the Foundation move closer to its $300,000 campaign goal.
Gifts of all sizes are welcome and deeply appreciated.
Ready to help? Click the pledge card above to open and print your copy.
Checks payable to the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation may be mailed to:
Beaver Area Heritage Foundation
P.O. Box 147
Beaver PA 15009
Please note “Heritage Museum Expansion Project” on the memo line.
Thank you!
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