PENNSYLVANIA - The Johnstown Flood Museum in Pennsylvania is a wonderful place to visit if you're interested in the area's history. It is located in an old movie theater and features an extensive collection related to the city's flooding in 1889.
History of The Johnstown Flood of 1889
The Johnstown Flood Museum is a National Historic Landmark. It is dedicated to the memory of the flood and offers an excellent window into late-19th-century America. The Johnstown Area Heritage Association operates it.
The museum's centerpiece is an enormous relief map diorama. It uses narration, colored lights, and sound effects to depict what happened during the flood.
Visitors can walk around the flood diorama and view artifacts rescued from the debris. These include a house belonging to John Schultz, whose home was flooded.
There are several other exhibits at the Johnstown Flood Museum. For instance, visitors can see photos of the town before the flood, which shows how people lived before the disaster.
The Johnstown Flood Museum
Whether you're interested in Johnstown's history or the story of the historic flood, you should plan a visit to the Johnstown Flood Museum. It's a great little museum with various displays and interesting information about the region and its history.
The building that houses the museum was originally the Carnegie Library. Andrew Carnegie donated a great deal of money to build the facility. Previously, the library had been located in the city's Cambria Public Library.
Today, the building is home to the Johnstown Flood Museum, which tells the tale of the largest single disaster in the United States. Visitors can see exhibits, films, and other exciting displays.
The Johnstown Flood Museum has three sections. There's the ground floor, which houses artifacts. The second floor has a video about the disaster. Finally, the third floor is mainly unchanged from its original use as a gymnasium.
Interestingly enough, the Johnstown Flood Museum has a movie theater. The theater is equipped with a 25-minute film about the flood.
History of The South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club
The South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club was a not-for-profit organization operating a Pennsylvania lake and hunting club for the wealthy. In the summer months, the clubhouse and lake are open to visitors. Visitors can tour the clubhouse, which includes fifty-bedroom suites and a three-story, framed clubhouse.
On May 31, 1889, the dam that controlled the waters of Lake Conemaugh failed. Its failure released an estimated fourteen million tons of water into the Conemaugh River. This caused a devastating flood in the town of Johnstown.
A significant factor in the devastation was the break in the South Fork Dam. The dam burst, causing a wall of water and nearly destroying the entire city. Many homes and industries were destroyed. The flood left the city with $17 million in damages.
When the water reached the city, it destroyed the downtown area in less than ten minutes. In addition to the destruction, it took the lives of over two hundred people.
After the disaster, Johnstown adopted the name "Flood City." Its officials assured the city's citizens that the disaster would never happen again. But the town had been subject to flooding for years.
The Johnstown Flood is considered the worst disaster in American history. At least 2,200 people died, and over $500 million (modern-day equivalent) in damages were caused.
National Register of Historic Places
Visiting the Johnstown Flood Museum in Pennsylvania is a fascinating look at the May 1889 flood. You can learn about the tragedy, the people killed, and how the city was rebuilt. The museum offers exhibits and a movie theater. It is also home to the remains of the South Fork Dam.
In fact, Andrew Carnegie, a club member, visited Johnstown in late 1889 to examine the damage from the flood. He donated funds to rebuild the city. One of the structures that he funded was the Carnegie Library. In the end, the flood was one of the worst disasters in America.
If you're looking to learn about Pennsylvania's history, there are many places you can visit that will be both educational and fun. Check out: The Most Popular Historical Sites in Pennsylvania
