Around the turn of the century, thousands of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe came to the United States to build a better life for themselves and their families. Experience their story first-hand at the Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center, which is operated by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association (JAHA)!

Location & Directions
The Heritage Discovery Center is located at 201 Sixth Avenue, Johnstown, 15906. It is a large, well-marked brick building that's easy to see from the road. The Johnstown Flood Museum is located a half-mile away at 304 Washington Street, Johnstown PA 15901; the Wagner-Ritter House & Garden is located a few blocks away at 418 Broad Street. Click here for a downloadable map of Johnstown, featuring the Heritage Discovery Center, Johnstown Flood Museum, Inclined Plane and other points of interest. The map includes driving directions between the museums. Here's how to get to the Heritage Discovery Center:
From the east: Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike west to Bedford (Exit 146). Take Route 220/ I99 north and take the first exit (Fishertown/Cessna). Take Route 56 west (approximately 30 miles) to Route 219 North. Take Route 56 West exit (Johnstown Expressway). The Heritage Discovery Center is located at the corner of 7th Avenue and Route 56 (Broad Street) or the 6th stoplight. Turn left at the stop light and left again into the parking area in front of our building. From the north: Take Route 80 to Route 220/ I 99 South onto Route 22 West outside of Altoona. At Ebensburg, take 219 South to Route 56 West exit (Johnstown Expressway). The Center is located at the corner of 7th Avenue and Route 56 (Broad Street), or the sixth stoplight. Turn left at the stop light and left again into the parking area in front of our building. From Pittsburgh: From Pittsburgh: Take Parkway I-376 East to US-22 East at Murrysville. Take US-22 East for 40 miles. Exit onto PA-56 East at Armagh. Follow PA-56 East approximately 9 miles into the City of Johnstown (this takes you on a winding road through a residential/mixed-use neighborhood). PA-56 will become Broad Street as you enter the Cambria City Historic District.. The Center is located at 7th Avenue and Route 56 (Broad Street). Turn right at the 7th Avenue stoplight into the parking lot and then left into the parking area in front of our building. From the west: Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike East to Somerset (exit 110). Follow signage to Route 219 North. Take 219 North to the Route 56 West Exit (Johnstown Expressway). The Center is located at the corner of 7th Avenue and Route 56 (Broad Street) or at the sixth stoplight. Turn left at the stop light and left again into the parking area in front of our building.
When you reach Johnstown, look for blue directional signs as pictured at right. More than 70 such signs are placed throughout the Johnstown area to help visitors find their way to JAHA museums, public buildings, hospitals and other points of interest.