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Bedford Heritage Trust

The Bedford Heritage Trust preserves and promotes the history of Bedford, Pennsylvania, through the Fort Bedford Museum, offering educational programs and events that engage the community in local heritage and historical exploration.

Are you looking for something to do after Bedford&rsquo;s Fall Foliage Festival? Join Fort Bedford Museum for our Haunted History Tour on October 3rd and October 10th! The evening will begin with a special visit with paranormal author and &ldquo;Ghost Lady of Pennsylvania&rdquo; Patty Wilson, who will kick off the night with some fascinating ghost stories, local legends, and unexplained tales. Afterward, join our volunteer speakers for a guided walking tour through historic downtown Bedford, where you&rsquo;ll hear spooky stories connected to some of Bedford&rsquo;s historic locations while also learning about the fascinating local history behind the stories. Patty will have her books for sale and will sign them for you.&nbsp; Two tours will be offered each night at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM, with 40 spots available for each tour. The tour will begin at Fort Bedford Museum. Come enjoy an evening of ghostly tales, fascinating history, and a little Halloween fun in downtown Bedford! Kids under 12 are free.

Fort Bedford Haunted History Tour

The Fort Bedford Museum is pleased to welcome award-winning Civil War historian and author Scott Mingus for a special presentation on Saturday, August 22, at 5:00 PM. During this engaging program, Mingus will explore the critical role that railroads played during the Gettysburg Campaign, examining how rail transportation influenced military strategy, troop movements, logistics, communications, and the overall course of one of the Civil War&#39;s most important campaigns.&nbsp; Scott Mingus is a multiple award-winning author and historian who has written more than 35 books on the Civil War and the Underground Railroad.&nbsp;He has appeared on C-SPAN, PBS, PCN, and numerous other television networks and is widely recognized as one of the leading scholars of Civil War history in Pennsylvania. In 2023, Mingus and co-author Eric Wittenberg received the prestigious Bachelder-Coddington Award for their book, If We Are Striking for Pennsylvania, recognizing it as the best new book on the Gettysburg Campaign. Following the presentation, Scott Mingus will have a selection of his books available for purchase and will be signing books for attendees. This presentation is free and open to the public; however, seating is limited to 30 attendees, and advance reservations are required. Don&#39;t miss this opportunity to hear one of Pennsylvania&#39;s leading Civil War historians discuss an often-overlooked aspect of the Gettysburg Campaign and meet the author afterward during the book signing.

Author Presentation: Scott Mingus-Railroads During the Gettysburg Campaign

More than 60 years after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, questions surrounding that tragic day continue to spark debate and intrigue. During this thought-provoking presentation, Fred Baca will revisit the key events and evidence from that fateful day and the aftermath that followed.Was Lee Harvey Oswald truly the lone gunman? Did he have help&mdash;or was he set up? Who stood to gain from Kennedy&#39;s death? What role did Jack Ruby play? And what about the infamous &quot;pristine bullet&quot;? This presentation will explore the facts, examine the evidence, and discuss the many theories that have emerged over the decades. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own thoughts and insights during an open discussion following the presentation. Admission is free, but seating is limited to 30 attendees. RSVP is required

Fred Baca presents "The Kenndey Assassination"

Calling all teachers and educators! Join us for a special Teacher &amp; Educator Open House at the Fort Bedford Museum on Wednesday, August 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Come discover everything the museum has to offer students and learn how local history can enhance your classroom experience. Explore our exhibits, educational opportunities, and hands-on activities designed to help students connect with the rich history of Bedford County and the surrounding region.&nbsp;Whether you teach in a traditional classroom, homeschool, or work in education, we invite you to visit the museum and see how we can partner to bring history to life for your students. Admission is free for all teachers and educators.We look forward to welcoming you to the Fort Bedford Museum and working together to help students learn about the history in their own backyard.

Fort Bedford Museum Teacher & Educator Open House

Step into the shadows of Bedford&#39;s past during the Fort Bedford Museum&#39;s Haunted History Tour on Saturday, August 1! Join renowned paranormal author and &quot;Ghost Lady of Pennsylvania,&quot; Patty Wilson, as she kicks off an evening of haunted tales, local legends, and unexplained mysteries. Following Patty&#39;s presentation, participants will embark on a guided walking tour through historic downtown Bedford, led by Fort Bedford Museum volunteers who will share chilling stories, historic accounts, and reported paranormal experiences connected to some of Bedford&#39;s most iconic locations. Two tour times are available: &bull; 6:00 PM Tour &bull; 8:00 PM Tour The tour will begin at the Fort Bedford Museum. This is a family-friendly event and is suitable for children of all ages.&nbsp; Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, as the tour will take place outdoors and involve walking through downtown Bedford.Only 30 spots are available for each tour, so advance registration is strongly recommended. Please have your Zeffy confirmation available on your phone upon arrival as proof of registration. Whether you&#39;re a history enthusiast, paranormal investigator, or simply curious about the stories that linger after dark, this unique experience offers a fascinating look at Bedford&#39;s haunted past. For questions or additional information, please email the museum at <a fr-original-style="" href="mailto:fortbedfordmuseum@gmail.com" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">fortbedfordmuseum@gmail.com</a>, call 814-624-9211, or send us a message on Facebook. Come discover the history, mysteries, and legends that still haunt downtown Bedford!

Fort Bedford Museum Summer Haunted History Tours

TWO AUTHORS. TWO PRESENTATIONS.Pennsylvania&rsquo;s History &amp; Appalachian FolkloreJoin Fort Bedford Museum for a special evening featuring two accomplished Pennsylvania authors as they explore the fascinating history, legends, traditions, and supernatural beliefs that have shaped our region. THOMAS WHITEThe History of Witches in Pennsylvania Author, historian, and folklorist Thomas White will explore the fascinating history of witches and accusations of witchcraft in Pennsylvania. Discover the state&rsquo;s only official witch trial, early European beliefs brought to Pennsylvania, stories of accused witches, folk magic, powwowers, hex doctors, curses, and the ways these traditions became part of Pennsylvania&rsquo;s history. White is the University Archivist and Curator of Special Collections at Duquesne University and an adjunct professor of history at Duquesne University and La Roche University. He is the author of 11 books focusing on Pennsylvania history, folklore, and supernatural beliefs. PATTY WILSONAppalachian Folklore Known as the &ldquo;Ghost Lady of Pennsylvania,&rdquo; Patty Wilson has spent more than 30 years as a paranormal investigator and has written more than 30 books exploring Pennsylvania&rsquo;s folklore, legends, folk medicine, and supernatural traditions.Wilson will take you into the fascinating world of Appalachian folklore, exploring the stories and traditions of the Allegheny Mountains. Hear tales of ghosts, monsters, giants, mysterious creatures, Native American legends, folk medicine, superstition, and magic, while discovering how a unique Appalachian culture developed through generations of storytelling and tradition. 🎟️ EVENT DETAILSAdmission: $10 per person Only 35 seats available! First come, first served. Tickets must be purchased through Zeffy.com. Tickets will not be reserved or held, and once all 35 seats are sold, no additional tickets will be available.QUESTIONS?📞 814-624-9211 📧 <a fr-original-style="" href="mailto:fortbedfordmuseum@gmail.com" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">fortbedfordmuseum@gmail.com</a> ONE EVENING &bull; TWO AUTHORS &bull; TWO FASCINATING PRESENTATIONSCome explore Pennsylvania&rsquo;s strange and fascinating past through the eyes of two authors who have dedicated their careers to documenting the stories, beliefs, and traditions of the Keystone State.

Witches & Folklore of Pennsylvania

Hear stories of ghosts, unexplained encounters, local legends, and other mysterious happenings from across the Keystone State. It&rsquo;s sure to be an entertaining evening filled with history, mystery, and plenty of chills! 👻 EVENT DETAILS🎟️ Tickets: $5 per person 👥 Only 35 spots available! ⚠️ First come, first servedTickets must be purchased online through Zeffy.com. Tickets will not be reserved or held, and once all 35 spots are sold, no additional tickets will be available. 📚 MEET PATTY WILSONPatty will also have her books available for purchase and will be holding a book signing following the presentation. Come meet the author, get a signed copy of her work, and learn more about Pennsylvania&rsquo;s haunted history! ❤️ SUPPORT FORT BEDFORD MUSEUM100% of the proceeds from this event will benefit Fort Bedford Museum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Bedford and the surrounding region.Come spend an evening with us as we explore the haunted side of Pennsylvania!

A Fort Bedford Halloween Evening with Author Patty Wilson

Join us at the Fort Bedford Museum on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM for a special presentation with historian Mike Giorgianni as he explores the remarkable life and Civil War career of George Sears Greene.Greene&rsquo;s story is one of military achievement, personal perseverance, and an extraordinary return to military service. After spending 25 years working as a civilian engineer, Greene returned to the military at the age of 60 and went on to play important roles in some of the Civil War&rsquo;s most significant battles.Mike will explore Greene&rsquo;s leadership at Antietam and Gettysburg, including his famous defense of the Federal right flank at Culp&rsquo;s Hill, where Greene employed defensive tactics that were not yet widely accepted or utilized. 🎙️ Presented by Mike GiorgianniMike Giorgianni is a lifelong western Pennsylvania resident and longtime middle school social studies teacher in the Hempfield Area School District. With more than 27 years of teaching experience, Mike has a deep passion for American history, particularly the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.His research focuses especially on the Gettysburg Campaign and the contributions of western Pennsylvanians during the Civil War. His historical research has been featured by Emerging Civil War and the Upper Ohio Valley Historical Review. 🎟️ FREE PRESENTATION &mdash; REGISTRATION REQUIRED!Admission to the presentation is FREE, but registration is required.There are only 35 spots available, so be sure to reserve your spot online through Zeffy 📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026 ⏰ 5:00 PM 📍 Fort Bedford Museum 🎟️ FREE &mdash; 35 SPOTS AVAILABLE Come spend an evening exploring the story of a remarkable Civil War officer whose service at Antietam and Gettysburg deserves to be remembered.

George Sears Greene Presentation with Mike Giorgianni

The 3rd Annual Fort Bedford River Rendezvous is a historical education event that brings together living history reenactors from various time periods in American history, reflecting the rich and diverse heritage of Pennsylvania. Visitors can experience history come to life through engaging demonstrations, artisan vendors, authors, food, and live music, making it a memorable day for the whole community. &nbsp; &nbsp;A single craft vending spot will be $25, and a double spot will be $50 until 12/31/26. On January 1st 2027, a single spot will be $50, and a double spot will be $100.&nbsp;

Bedford Heritage Trust

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Witches & Folklore of Pennsylvania

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A Fort Bedford Halloween Evening with Author Patty Wilson

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George Sears Greene Presentation with Mike Giorgianni

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Fort Bedford River Rendezvous Vendor Registration

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