Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum
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| DESCRIPTION: This 275-acre site comprises a variety of habitats including deciduous forest, pasture, pine plantations, and rich bottomland along the waters of Cross Creek. Unregulated strip mining for coal during the mid-twentieth century created additional ecological niches in the form of vegetation-covered spoil piles, highwall cliffs, and pools of water. Meadowcroft Museum is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. The site includes a recreated 19th century rural village, a recreated 16th century Indian village, and the world-renowned Meadowcroft Rockshelter, the oldest documented site of human habitation in North America. The Meadowcroft Rockshelter is a National Historic Landmark. NOTE: Public access to Meadowcroft Museum is limited to only a small portion of the site. The museum grounds can only be accessed during business hours, which change seasonally. Check their website for the most current hours of operation. As an outdoor museum, admission is charged to walk the grounds. The bird life of Meadowcroft is typical of Pennsylvania's eastern deciduous forests. Birding can be productive during every season of the year with late spring being the best time to visit. Throughout May, the resident bird population is augmented by a constantly changing variety of singing spring migrants. The most noteworthy species at Meadowcroft is Cerulean Warbler, which breed at several locations on the property including the main parking area, the Rockshelter parking area, and the recreated villages. Other readily observed species include Great-crested Flycatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Acadian Flycatcher, and Yellow-throated Warbler. Red-shouldered Hawks have nested on the property in 2007, 2008, and 2009. |
DIRECTIONS: From I-79 south of Pittsburgh, take the Bridgeville Exit (54). Take PA 50 West for about 22 miles to Avella. As you enter Avella watch for blue and white directional signs to Meadowcroft. The museum is located on the right approximately 3 miles beyond Avella. |
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| Posted: 2010-01-20 00:00:00 Updated: |
