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Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on June 19, 2019.
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Prior to visiting Saxonburg, I only had heard a few stories about the borough's rich history.
It wasn't until I visited for a Burgh, Bits, and Bites food tour that I was able to learn more about the history due to the fact that the tour started out at the wonderful Saxonburg Museum!
If you're in the area during the museum's seasonal operating period, this one is most certainly worth a stop.
The Saxonburg Museum is Impressive
In our explorations of southwest Pennsylvania, we've come to visit a number of borough museums organized by their respective historical societies.
Many of these museums follow a typical pattern of containing curated relics from previous generations in order to showcase the boroughs' history, livelihoods, and notable citizens.
While the Saxonburg Museum is no different on the surface, what really stood out to us about this one is its size. It is a huge space full of a number of compelling exhibits highlighting Saxonburg's rich history!
John Roebling Started it All
If you are not familiar with the name John Roebling, the Saxonburg Museum will do a great job educating you on not only his contributions in founding the borough in 1832, but his contributions to society as a whole as well.
Starting in the mid-1840s Roebling began producing a twisted cable wire that was exceptionally strong and used in suspension bridges from as close as Pittsburgh (which are now defunct), the John Roebling Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati (which was the world's largest suspension bridge when it first opened), to what is perhaps his most iconic work- the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.
Roebling's factory was located right off the main road in Saxonburg, and is now home to the museum itself (complete with a scale model of the Brooklyn Bridge outside as well!).
As such, it should be no surprise that you'll be learning a fair bit about the man who started it all in this one, and as to why the space is so large to begin with!
• Traveling to Pittsburgh soon? Find a flight deal.
• In need of a room? Check out hotel and apartment prices.
• Don't overlook picking up a rental car or day tours as well!
Going beyond John Roebling and his factory, the Saxonburg Museum features a number of other historical artifacts, ranging from signs for old shops, storefront recreations, intricate artwork designed by local artisans, historical vehicles, to even a spider coil used to transmit KDKA when the station moved to neighboring Clinton Township.
Overall, the Saxonburg Museum is an interesting spot that does a fabulous job highlighting the borough's history. If you find yourself in the area, this one is definitely worth a stop!
For those looking to visit the Saxonburg Museum, please note that it is only open during the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day).
The Saxonburg Museum is located at 199 N Rebecca Street in Saxonburg, PA.
