Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village - Heinz History Center
Source: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/meadowcroft
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:30
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village - Heinz History Center
19,000 Years of History, All in One Day
Skip Sub Navigation
Take your family on a day-long adventure at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, located in Avella, Washington County, Pa.
A National Historic Landmark, Meadowcroft features a massive rock overhang – the Rockshelter – used 19,000 years ago for shelter by the region’s first inhabitants. Take a tour of this internationally-renowned archeological treasure and learn more about the lives of Western Pennsylvania’s prehistoric hunters and gatherers.
At Meadowcroft’s interpretive villages, you can step back in time to encounter rural life over the past 500 years. Explore a wigwam and test your aim with a spear thrower at the 16th-century Eastern Woodland Indian Village, experience an 18th-century log cabin and open-sided trading post, and watch a blacksmith forge red-hot iron or take a lesson in a one-room school house at the site’s 19th-century Historic Village.
Hours & Location
Address: 401 Meadowcroft Road, Avella, PA 15312, in the town of Avella in Washington County, Pa., about a one-hour drive from downtown Pittsburgh
Hours: Open seasonally from May through November 23
May
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Labor Day to November 23
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Admission
Adults
$15
Senior Citizens (65+)
$14
Children ages 6-17
$7
Children ages 5 and under
FREE
Students with a valid school ID
$7
History Center Members
FREE
Retired & Active Duty Military
Receive $2 off admission
Teachers
FREE this May
Daily Tours
During Meadowcroft’s season, tours of the Rockshelter are offered daily and last approximately one hour. Times vary. Please check in at the
Barensfeld Center
to sign up for a Rockshelter tour, or call 724-587-3412 for more information.
Meadowcroft Rockshelter, the oldest site of human habitation in North America, provides a unique glimpse into the lives of prehistoric hunters and gatherers. This National Historic Landmark, located in Avella, Washington County, Pa., features a massive rock overhang used 19,000 years ago for shelter by the first people in North America. The enclosure at Meadowcroft Rockshelter provides visitors with a unique, never-before-seen perspective into the oldest and deepest parts of this internationally-renowned archeological excavation.
In addition to ancient history at the Rockshelter, visitors to Meadowcroft can also step back in time to experience rural life over the past 500 years through a series of interpretive villages, including a 16th century Eastern Woodland Indian Village, an 18th century log cabin and open-sided trading post, and a 19th century village that includes a church, one-room schoolhouse, and blacksmith shop.
Bring a picnic lunch, relax, and enjoy Meadowcroft’s beautiful rural setting for the afternoon. Plan to spend at least three hours if you want to see all that Meadowcroft has to offer.
Thank you to the Observer-Reporter for being Meadowcroft’s media sponsor.
What's On at Meadowcroft?
Exhibits & Events
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
Learn more about Meadowcroft’s upcoming public programs and everyday offerings.
What's On
April 30
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
–
10:00 AM
Meadowcroft’s Homeschool Open House
Calling all homeschool families – experience history like never before!
Tickets Required
May 2
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
–
10:00 AM
Meadowcroft Opening Day
Join Meadowcroft on opening day!
June 20
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
–
10:00 AM
Meadowcroft Atlatl Competition
Test your aim and step back in time at Meadowcroft’s annual Atlatl Competition.
June 20
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
–
10:00 AM
Rockshelter Tour with Dr. Diane Landers
Join archaeologist Dr. Diane Beynon Landers on a tour of the Rockshelter.
Tickets Required
View All Events
Site Menu
19,000 Years of History, All in One Day
Skip Sub Navigation
Take your family on a day-long adventure at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, located in Avella, Washington County, Pa.
A National Historic Landmark, Meadowcroft features a massive rock overhang – the Rockshelter – used 19,000 years ago for shelter by the region’s first inhabitants. Take a tour of this internationally-renowned archeological treasure and learn more about the lives of Western Pennsylvania’s prehistoric hunters and gatherers.
At Meadowcroft’s interpretive villages, you can step back in time to encounter rural life over the past 500 years. Explore a wigwam and test your aim with a spear thrower at the 16th-century Eastern Woodland Indian Village, experience an 18th-century log cabin and open-sided trading post, and watch a blacksmith forge red-hot iron or take a lesson in a one-room school house at the site’s 19th-century Historic Village.
Hours & Location
Address: 401 Meadowcroft Road, Avella, PA 15312, in the town of Avella in Washington County, Pa., about a one-hour drive from downtown Pittsburgh
Hours: Open seasonally from May through November 23
May
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Labor Day to November 23
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Admission
Adults
$15
Senior Citizens (65+)
$14
Children ages 6-17
$7
Children ages 5 and under
FREE
Students with a valid school ID
$7
History Center Members
FREE
Retired & Active Duty Military
Receive $2 off admission
Teachers
FREE this May
Daily Tours
During Meadowcroft’s season, tours of the Rockshelter are offered daily and last approximately one hour. Times vary. Please check in at the
Barensfeld Center
to sign up for a Rockshelter tour, or call 724-587-3412 for more information.
Meadowcroft Rockshelter, the oldest site of human habitation in North America, provides a unique glimpse into the lives of prehistoric hunters and gatherers. This National Historic Landmark, located in Avella, Washington County, Pa., features a massive rock overhang used 19,000 years ago for shelter by the first people in North America. The enclosure at Meadowcroft Rockshelter provides visitors with a unique, never-before-seen perspective into the oldest and deepest parts of this internationally-renowned archeological excavation.
In addition to ancient history at the Rockshelter, visitors to Meadowcroft can also step back in time to experience rural life over the past 500 years through a series of interpretive villages, including a 16th century Eastern Woodland Indian Village, an 18th century log cabin and open-sided trading post, and a 19th century village that includes a church, one-room schoolhouse, and blacksmith shop.
Bring a picnic lunch, relax, and enjoy Meadowcroft’s beautiful rural setting for the afternoon. Plan to spend at least three hours if you want to see all that Meadowcroft has to offer.
Thank you to the Observer-Reporter for being Meadowcroft’s media sponsor.
What's On at Meadowcroft?
Exhibits & Events
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
Learn more about Meadowcroft’s upcoming public programs and everyday offerings.
What's On
April 30
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
–
10:00 AM
Meadowcroft’s Homeschool Open House
Calling all homeschool families – experience history like never before!
Tickets Required
May 2
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
–
10:00 AM
Meadowcroft Opening Day
Join Meadowcroft on opening day!
June 20
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
–
10:00 AM
Meadowcroft Atlatl Competition
Test your aim and step back in time at Meadowcroft’s annual Atlatl Competition.
June 20
Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
–
10:00 AM
Rockshelter Tour with Dr. Diane Landers
Join archaeologist Dr. Diane Beynon Landers on a tour of the Rockshelter.
Tickets Required
View All Events
Site Menu