Greensburg names Baltzer Meyer the city’s official historical society

Greensburg named Hempfield-based Baltzer Meyer the city’s official historical society Monday.

The Baltzer Meyer Historical Society has collected records and artifacts from communities across Westmoreland County for more than three decades, said Vice President Franny Petras — including Greensburg.

“We have military records. We have family trees. We have research books — all kinds of stuff, yearbooks that are specifically (from) Greensburg,” Petras said. “We are more than Greensburg — we are Hempfield, we are Westmoreland.”

Formed in 1993, the historical society is based in an 1884 Lutheran church on Baltzer Meyer Pike. It owns the former one-room Harrold Schoolhouse across the street, preserved in its 1881 form, and the Paul Miller Ruff Library.

The historical society, which has about 100 members, hosts regular programs about local history dating back to the 1800s, Petras said — including author talks and deep dives into the Civil War, cookie recipes from across the world and the legend of Big Foot.

Its records include birth and death certificates, family tree charts, census information, newspaper articles, family photos and maps, Greensburg Mayor Robb Bell said in a statement read during a city council meeting Monday.

“The city recognizes the importance of the preservation and ongoing study of the history of the city and Westmoreland County,” Bell said.

Petras looks forward to serving as a resource to the Greensburg community.

“I think we need to highlight the identity of Greensburg and what they have to offer,” she said.

In March, Baltzer Meyer hosted a “Greensburg: Then and Now” presentation, showing community members how the city’s Pittsburgh Street has evolved over the years. Volunteers repainted one of the historical society’s walls this summer to reflect photos of the city.

“I think our goal is to make them aware that we are there for them, for their history, for their memories and people can bring archive items,” Petras said.