This section of the Johnstown Area Heritage Association Web site gives you more information about JAHA as an organization, and how you can be a part of what we do. Choose from the navigation bar to the left to learn more.

Long-Range JAHA Plans
JAHA's long-range goal is to complete the development of the Johnstown Discovery Network - a group of history museums and landmark historical sites located within two adjoining National Historic Districts. JAHA has been working toward this goal for the past decade, positioning Johnstown as a heritage tourism destination that tells the story of the social and industrial forces that transformed America after the Civil War.
Johnstown's economy, which had been based on steel and coal for about 140 years, is completely different today because of major changes in those industries. So Johnstown itself can be viewed as a living museum of industrial development and the culture that supported it. These "exhibits" provide the basis for attracting visitors and investment to the community, benefiting residents as well as visitors. JAHA's collections and facilities will interpret this important legacy, linking Johnstown's past with its future.
The projects in the Johnstown Discovery Network are being completed by JAHA, by JAHA in partnership with other agencies, and external agencies working on their own. Several of the projects proposed in the Johnstown Discovery Network have been accomplished or are soon to be accomplished, including: The Johnstown Flood Museum, which was reopened by JAHA in 1989; the museum's Academy Award-winning documentary was remastered in September 2009, and the theater in which it is shown was renovated in 2010 with new projection and sound equipment, new seat upholstery and new carpet. The opening of the Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center by JAHA in 2001 The construction of the first section of the Johnstown Urban Greenway in 2003 The opening of the Wagner-Ritter House & Garden by JAHA in June 2004 Completion and June 2009 opening of the Johnstown Children's Museum on the third floor of the Heritage Discovery Center Completion and June 2009 premiere of "The Mystery of Steel," a film presentation on steel history in Johnstown, shown at the Iron & Steel Gallery at the Heritage Discovery Center
Remaining projects include: The first phase of development on Festival Park Further renovations on the Johnstown Flood Museum (including exhibit refurbishments and upgrades to the physical plant, including a new HVAC system) The Johnstown Passenger Station was donated to JAHA in late 2010 by Carole Furst Gigilotti and Harvey & Katherine Supowitz. This historic building is ideally positioned to serve the Johnstown Discovery Network as a visitors center, but needs restroom renovations and other improvements before it opens. Restoring the Cambria Ironworks Blacksmith Shop and attracting a partner who will conduct live forging operations at the site
Also included in the Johnstown Discovery Network are the following: The Johnstown Inclined Plane The Cambria City National Historic District, which preserves the ethnic and working class character of this industrial city The Downtown Johnstown National Historic District, which contains sites related to the 1889 flood The historic Cambria Ironworks, the only steel mill listed as a National Historic Landmark For a map of the Johnstown Discovery Network in PDF format, click here.