The Johnstown Children's Museum is a new project of the Johnstown Area Heritage Association. This museum is being constructed in unused space in the Heritage Discovery Center building, and is expected to open in summer 2008. JAHA is currently conducting a $8.05 million dollar capital campaign to fund the children's museum and other projects. Check this site often for details on the museum's development.

Construction Update
Updated March 2, 2008 Construction on the Heritage Discovery Center in preparation for the Johnstown Children's Museum is nearly complete! Here is a gallery of photographs with information on some of the new spaces created in the museum. Click here for a downloadable PDF file featuring these photos and additional images of the newly-renovated areas.
Cafe -- Accessible from the museum's first floor or from the courtyard, the cafe includes a restored soda fountain from Linderman's Elite, which was at Main and Market Streets in Johnstown. A kitchen and restrooms are in place, along with a tile floor. Large windows give a view out into the courtyard. During temperate months, patrons will be able to sit outside on the courtyard's stage area, which was the building's loading dock when it was used for industrial purposes.
Rooftop terraces -- These beautiful terraces provide a spectacular view over Cambria City and the Conemaugh Gap. They are accessible from the third floor, where the Johnstown Children's Museum will be located, and will include planters with native plants as part of the children's museum exhibits. This area will be available for rentals and events.
"Mystery of Steel" theater and gallery -- This exciting new space will house the "Mystery of Steel" film, which will document Johnstown's extensive contributions to the steel industry. The film will use high-definition footage JAHA shot inside the Bethlehem steel mills before they were closed. The multi-story gallery is designed to give visitors the impression of being in a steel mill, and will be used for different exhibits about the steel industry. This photo shows the area where patrons will sit to see the film; the gallery spirals upwards along the wall.
Social club -- Located on the fourth floor, this reconstruction of an ethnic social club includes the bar from the West End Polish Citizens' Club, and other furnishings from the Slovenian Home. There are still several details to finish in this area, including hanging up archival materials to decorate the walls. It will also be available for rentals and events.
Johnstown Children's Museum -- Architectural modifications to the third floor, where the children's museum will be housed, include the addition of HVAC, restrooms, new windows and more. Exhibit fabrication has begun, and the exhibits will be installed in early summer. The museum is expected to open in late June or early July.
Fifth floor gallery space -- The fifth floor, which is about 4,000 square feet, will be used as gallery space for temporary exhibits. Renovations to this area include HVAC systems, carpeting, finishing the walls and ceilings, and new restrooms.