Free local history center

Titusville Heritage Center

About 0.4 mi

A free, volunteer-run downtown heritage center in Titusville’s former YMCA interprets the people, industries, art, and everyday life behind the oil-boom city the train serves.

The place

About Titusville Heritage Center

Titusville Historical Society is a volunteer 501(c)(3) founded in 1979. Its Heritage Center moved into the historic Parkside building—the city’s former YMCA—in 2022.

The center combines changing exhibits, a research library, digitizing resources, and an oral-history station. Current published exhibits include Titusville artist and teacher Martha Herpst, local J.L. Locke silversmithing, and country performer Jeannie Seely.

The society’s scope is broader than petroleum alone: it preserves objects, photographs, manuscripts, family history, architecture, community organizations, and the lives of people who shaped Titusville.

What stands out

Local voices beyond the oil headline

Art, objects, oral histories, and community collections show how Titusville residents lived after and alongside the boom.

Research library and digitizing center

Visitors with family-history questions can go deeper than a general exhibit visit.

Historic former YMCA

The 1914 Parkside building is itself part of the city’s civic history.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in an Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad trip

The center is about four-tenths of a mile from Perry Street Station, making it the closest substantial offsite stop. Its compact Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday hours require deliberate scheduling around the train’s three-hour round trip.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • HoursWednesday and Friday 9 a.m.–noon; Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; other times by appointment. Recheck before travel because volunteers staff the center.
  • AdmissionThe society describes its public classes and resources as free and does not publish a general admission price.
  • EntranceUse the Washington Street entry ramp rather than assuming the main façade is the visitor entrance.
  • AccessibilityThe society identifies the Washington Street ramp and Heritage Center as accessible. Email ahead for exhibit- or research-specific needs.
  • ContactThe society publishes email, but no public visitor phone number. Use titusvillehistoricalsociety@gmail.com or arrange an appointment online.
  • Train timingA morning visit fits best before an 11 a.m. ride only if you leave enough time for the railroad’s 45-minute arrival requirement; Saturday after-train timing is usually too late.

Return to the rails

Add Perry Street Station Museum & RPO

Use the station museum and working postal car as the train-day anchor.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

When is the Heritage Center open?

Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m.–noon, Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and by appointment.

Is there an admission fee?

No general admission price is published. The volunteer society describes public classes and resources as free.

Is the center accessible?

Yes. The society directs visitors to the Washington Street entry ramp and identifies the center as accessible.

How do I contact the center?

Email titusvillehistoricalsociety@gmail.com. The society does not publish a public visitor phone number.

What can I see?

Changing exhibits, local art and artifacts, a research library, digitizing resources, and an oral-history station.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-12. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.