Doing genealogy research is Bedford County?  Maybe you are just interested in the history of our county.  Whatever the case, there are many places to go in Bedford County to gain information for your historical research.

Bedford County is home to several libraries and historical societies, including the Pioneer Library, operated by the Bedford County Historical Society.

Hours and meeting times are subject to change. It is always a good idea to call first.  

The Bedford County Courthouse
200 South Juliana St.
Bedford, PA 15522

Bedford County Court House was built in 1828-1829 and still operating. Simple, elegant architecture, with a pair of curved staircases that lead to the courtroom. Located at the corner of Juliana and Penn Streets in downtown Bedford, PA.

Register and Recorders Office
Phone: (814) 623-4836
One can find many older wills and deeds at the Register and Recorders office at the Bedford County Courthouse. Wills and deeds are searchable by computer and microfilm. There is a small fee per page for printing.
Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Phone: (814) 623-4833
Several different records can be found here including orphans court records from the 1700's to the present. This officer also holds some birth, death, and marriage licenses from 1852-1854. Birth and death records from 1893-1905 can be found here as well as marriage licenses from 1885 to the present.
Hours: Mon - Friday 9am to 4pm. (Closed Holidays)
Coverage Area: Bedford County

The Bedford County Historical Society and Pioneer Library
6441 Lincoln Highway
Bedford, PA 15522
Phone: (814) 623-2011
Email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com
Web Site: www.bedfordpahistory.com
The Bedford County Historical Society and Pioneer Library is the county's most extensive collection of historical and genealogical materials. The society's Pioneer Library serves as a repository for all types of historical information. They provide the resources and facilities for a broad spectrum of historical and genealogical research with knowledgeable staff to assist. They also sponsor numerous programs, activities, exhibits and seminars throughout the year to highlight areas or events of historical significance to the county and surrounding regions.
Hours: Mon - Friday 9am to 4pm.
Saturday (Summer): Third Saturday, 9:00am-2:00pm
Saturday (Winter): Closed
Coverage Area: Bedford County

The Bedford Springs Historical Society
The Omni Bedford Springs Resort
2138 Business 220
Bedford, PA 15522
Phone: (814) 624-2416 - William Defibaugh
Phone: (814) 624-5642 - Concierge Desk
Email:
The Bedford Springs Historical Society collects and maintains any historical document pertaining to the Bedford Springs Hotel and its history.  They maintain old legers, guest registrations, and many old documents to be used in Bedford Springs historical research.  Tours of the Bedford Springs are given daily.
Tours: Given Daily (fee)
Monday - Thursday: 10am
Friday -Saturday: 10am and 2pm
Coverage Area: Bedford Springs History

Bloody Run Historical Society and Train Station Museum

Email: jaykat@centurylink.net
The mission of the Bloody Run Historical Society is to provide a historical resource base to the Everett area that will foster the preservation, protection & interpretation of the culture, industrial & transportation history & heritage of the Everett area using a museum located in the Everett Train Station Depot., while also offering appeal to those from outside of Bedford County.
Web Site: www.bloodyrunhistory.org
Museum Hours: April - October: Saturdays 11pm - 4pm, Open House every third Sunday 1pm-4pm.
Meeting Times: 1st Tuesday; monthly @ 7pm at the Everett RR Museum.
Coverage Area: Everett and surrounding communities.

Bedford LDS Family History Center
160 Donahue Manor Rd.
Bedford, PA 15522
Phone: (814) 613-1007
Email: mike_clapper@hotmail.com
Open to the public at no cost. The Bedford Family History Center is part of the Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The FHC is a computer based center with programs to help organize your family history work. Onsite computer access and available wi-fi for personal laptops during research.
Hours: Wednesday 1pm-5pm & 6pm-9pm and Thursday 6pm-9pm (Saturday hours by appointment only)
Coverage Area: General Genealogy Research

Cumberland Valley Township Historical Society
Phone #1: (814) 623-4024 - Debora Topinka
Phone #2: (814) 494-1369 - Debora Topinka
Phone #4: (814) 356-3144 - Paul Crawford
Email: deboratopinka@yahoo.com
Web Site: www.cvths.org/
The Cumberland Valley Historical Society is a nonprofit organization with the main goal of rebuilding the historic covered bridge over Evitts Creek. While working towards that goal, the Society members have been collecting and documenting many historical facts about the township. Society holds some basic information of early area residents as well as any historical document from the area. The society members meet once a month with an open house the 4th Sunday of each month.
Meeting Times: Third Tuesday / Monthly - 6:30 p.m. in the old Centerville School in Centerville
Meeting Location: 1033 Centerville Road, Centerville, PA 15522
Coverage Area: Cumberland Valley Township

Dutch Corner History Group
982 Imlertown Rd.
Bedford, PA 15522
Email: lora@dutchcornerpa.com
Web Site: www.dutchcornerpa.com
The goal of the Dutch Corner History Group is to collect and preserve the history of Dutch Corner in Bedford County.   The society gathers historical information on the families who have lived here in the past, as well as the present.  They list much of their information online to be used by the public. They also keep original documents on the area.  They have information on Dutch Corner families, locations, land warrant maps, churches, cemeteries, and schools. 
Meetings: Usually 3rd Sunday, monthly: 2pm @ Messiah Lutheran Church in Dutch Corner.
Coverage Area: North Bedford Township, Dutch Corner

Juniata Woolen Mill Inc.
1427 Lutzville Rd.
Everett, PA 15537
Phone: 814.623.2766 or 814.243.6774
Email: jfosipov@yahoo.com
Built in 1805, the Junaiata Woolen Mill is the oldest known woolen mill in Bedford County. It is situated on the banks of Juniata River on Lutzville Road in Everett, Pa. Juniata Woolen Mill Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the mill back to it's grandeur. Events are held biyearly at the mill. (Spring and in the Fall). The mill is also a place to find relaxing recreational activities including picnic tables at the parking area and a wonderful river walk to the Mill. A great historic place to visit in Bedford County.
Hours: Continuous

Schellsburg and Old Log Church Historic Society
P.O. Box 314
Schellsburg, PA 15537
Phone: 814-733-2984
Email:jherncane@pa.net
Web Site: www.schellsburgpa.org
The Schellsburg and Old Log Church Historical Society is a volunteer non-profit organization whose purpose is to document and preserve the history of Schellsburg and its surrounding areas, provide education about the history and promote community awareness.
Old Log Church Visiting Hours:
April 1 - Memorial Day - Weekends 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Memorial Day - Labor Day - Daily dawn to dusk
Labor Day - October 31 - Weekends 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Coverage Area: Napier Township, Schellsburg and surrounding communities.

Southampton Township Historical Society
Phone #1: (814) 784-3284 - Regina Williams
Phone #2: (814)-652-2400 - Regina Williams
Email: wrwilliams@embarqmail.com
Web Site: www.southamptonhistory.blogspot.com
The Southampton Township Historical Society is currently working to restore a 2 room historic schoolhouse in Chaneysville. The society collects historic document and artifacts from the township and also assists in historic research of Southampton Township.
Meeting Times: Third Tuesday / Monthly - 7 p.m. in the senior citizens room behind the Chaneysville fire hall.
Coverage Area: Southampton Township

Would you like your Bedford County Historic Society or Group listed here?
Please download and fill out this PDF, then send it back to the Visitors Bureau.