My wife and I both read, 'The Johnstown Flood' by David McCollough and knew we had to visit this museum and historic site. We had a tour in a van that covered the various sites where this tragedy took place. We saw the bridge footings over the valley that were wiped away by the flood, and the 'cottages' the wealthy club members lived in when they were visiting on vacation. This is a very special place to visit and reflect. read more

See all

update your website to say it's temporarily closed!!! drove 40 minutes to get here because your website said "open until 5pm." read more

Johnstown Flood Museum - Museums Near Me - Johnstown, Pennsylvania

$10/person feels a little steep for what is effectively one room of artifacts and then a video upstairs, but if you're coming to Johnstown and are interested in the flood this is a must-stop! The relics are really cool and the video is really well done (as compared with the National Parks video which can be viewed at the NPS site). Patrons probably need an hour to see everything and watch the video. read more

Visit this little museum in town! I promise, you will learn so much about the 1889 flood. On the third floor there was an antique pipe organ, sadly no one was able to play. Still lovely to look at. The museum shows a film in their small quaint theater on the second floor. First floor is a huge model under glass of the way of the flood, with a narrator speaking. Fabulous, stop to see. read more

History is told here. Not only is it told here, but it is held here as well. Johnstown's moniker is 'The Flood City.' Being flooded more times than any small city should, Johnstown was able to come back each time. The one flood that everyone seems to remember, and one that still remains in the public eye, is the 1889 flood that devastated this area. There are still loads of reminders from that particular flood all around the city (and outside the city). The city hall has placards on the building to note the height of the water on that very day, and two other particular dates; 1936 and 1977. Further out of town is the Flood Memorial where that fateful day in 1889 began. This museum is located in the old Carnegie library in the downtown area of Johnstown. Not everything will stick in your mind when you visit here, but certain things do remain with you well after you have left here. Three things in particular that stuck with me, and are things you must see when you are there, are as follows. 1. The 1889 flood water bottle: some fortunate soul that survived that day took the time to collect some of the flood waters in a bottle. Corked and waxed it. And then kept it all that time. It now sits inside the museum under a glass case. 2. The bent bridge sculpture: this museum has a section of a bridge that was mangled during the 1977 flood. This piece shows you the shear force that water can have over any material on earth. When you first see it you just think someone used heat to bend it to their desired liking. Once you read the little sign next to it, you find out it was water that did the deed. 3. The Oklahoma House: think FEMA housing from the 19th century. This particularly small house was what was built quickly for families that were effected by the flood. Whole families lived in these small structures until they got back on their footing. This museum definitely deserves a return visit. Walking through it does truly transport you to a time when things weren't so great for people. It makes you grateful for the things you have. read more

See all

I was impressed with this museum's displays and account of the 1889 deadliest flood in American history to date. From the moment we walked in and were greeted until we made purchases in the museum's store, it was a thorough experience. The woman greeting us gave us an overview, showed us a town photo the day before the flood and a few days after the flood side by side on the store's walls for comparison, and directed us upstairs to watch an Academy award winning documentary film. I could have sworn throughout the film it was the rich voice of Morgan Freeman narrating it but turns out it was Len Cariou, who you would recognize from the tv show "Blue Bloods". A very impressive film on how the flood came to be. Up to the 3rd floor and it, as she explained, was the original space of the building, housing a running track above us. Quite a beautiful space. Back down on the ground floor were the remaining exhibits including a model of the food's path and timeline. It was a bit disappointing that not nearly all the lights were working. Out one of the doors, as our host further explained, was an Oklahoma house, an actual temporary pre-fabricated house used for temporary housing. You get to go inside. Final stop was thru the gift shop where I purchased a walkng map of town and a book on the 1889 flood. This museum was well worth the trip and very informative. 5 stars would be given had the model display been working with all lights in play. read more

See all

The Johnstown Flood Museum gives a real good overview of the events of 1889. They have a self-guided tour but I was lucky enough to have the tour person take me around and show me all the exhibits and the gym on the third floor. The building itself is also very interesting being an old Carnegie library. This is definitely worth a visit if you are in Johnstown read more

This is a nice little museum. First floor has the artifacts, pictures, model of town and some period clothes and tools. The second floor has a mini theater to watch a 20 minute re-enactment of the flood. There is an elevator for those unable to take the stairs. Cost is $9.50 for adults. read more

Johnstown Flood Museum - Museums Near Me - Johnstown, Pennsylvania

See all

I went quite a bit out of my way to visit the Johnstown Flood Museum and, simply put, it was worth it. The museum is hands-down one of the most balanced and well-organized of any I've ever been to (and I get to a lot of 'em). The light-up 3D map gave a good idea of the major 1889 flood that led to 2,200 deaths. The rest of the museum first floor is exhibits that take you through, in detail, the creation of the dam and its neglect, the events that led to the flood, the flood itself, its aftermath, and the efforts to rebuild the town (and, oddly, its references in pop culture, including a "Mighty Mouse" cartoon). Those rebuilding efforts led to Andrew Carnegie building his first philanthropy-inspired library in 1891; the building is now the Flood Museum. There was also a fairly long award-winning documentary film in a state-of-the-art theater. I was surprised it didn't tell the more human side of the story using first-hand accounts, etc. but it really helped me understand the impact of the flood. The final message to the film- as in the museum itself and, perhaps, the city of Johnstown - is that today, Johnstown lives. It was almost cheesy but it was nice and reassuring to know that the town is not defined by its death toll. I really felt that living spirit by the end. Outside the museum is an authentic "Oklahoma House," an early pre-fabricated house that was brought for survivors who needed a place to live. You could go inside to get an idea of what these people had to go through next. This was not a macabre museum; I think it would easily get the attention of kids of almost any age. It certainly had my attention. I paid $7 admission, parked in a garage down the road (only because I didn't have quarters for the on-street parking) and spent about 1.5 hours there. read more

Johnstown Flood Museum - Museums Near Me - Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Really enjoyed stopping in this place for some historical lessons about the May 1889 flood that ravaged this beautiful town. They have a large sized model of the town and damn/river up stream that goes through the events step by step as they happen, along with pictures, anecdotes and artifacts adorning the walls encircling it. There is a 20 minute video explaining what lead to the failure of the damn and the tragic day, and the visuals and story telling really come to life. It's a humbling experience to see what happened to this once lively and robust town as well as the community that banded together to rebuild their home. read more

Here is a hint. If you are trying to get someone to consider moving to the Johnstown area, DO NOT take them to the flood museum. Learn from my mistake. Looking back on it, it seems so obvious. But it is a good museum, and a good documentary. But... honestly... it's a bit terrifying. read more

Pretty cool little museum all about the Johnstown Flood. With admission you also get admission to the Discovery Center which is maybe 10 minutes drive away. The museum itself is very small, it has only 3 sections. One floor that shows a movie, and also has big pictures on the wall. The ground floor which has artifacts, a diorama, news articles, and more pictures. And then the Oklahoma house which is actually outside and over a little walkway (handicap accessible) right next to the main building. If you visit, I recommend taking a trip over to the Johnstown incline, which is very close to the museum. Parking is across the street, watch out for the signs. read more

Great Museum Guide. This is a must see museum. Great documentary film. The preventable flood was a series of human errors compounded by a significant weather event. One of the saddest facts was were 80 souls that had survived the flood in their swept away homes only to get trapped in the 30 acre debris field created by the railroad bridge abutments then caught fire and consumed the survivors. Note, there is a designated free parking area very near the museum. Follow the signs. read more

See all

A Must go...make sure you watch the movie first. Incredibly well done. I though we would be there 10 minutes we stayed a few hours.

After reading the only two standing reviews on the Johnstown Flood Museum, from out of townees, I have changed my mind for my 400th review. Born and raised in Johnstown, Pa. I not only heard all of the real life stories of the devastating floods, I myself witnessed the last one in 1977. The city of Johnstown is in a deep valley, surrounded by hills. When I drive into Johnstown to visit my mother and my brother, you literally climb up over Pleasanttville Mountain to an altitude of almost 3000 feet above sea level. Once you arrive at that point, the continuing drive takes you hundreds of feet higher. The "hills" are full of different towns, like the one I grew up in. The "valley" is also full of many different towns, homes and businesses. Johnstown is known for many things, like the great Steel Industry, the AAA-BA, the Coal Mines, Slap Shot, Submarine sandwiches, Coney Island hot dogs, Charles Bronson was born and raised there and the great flood of 1889. What you may not know is there were many floods in 1894, 1907, 1924, 1936 and the one that I witnessed in 1977. Most of us have seen the documentaries on TV or read about the " great floods". Visiting the Johnstown Flood Museum will walk you through these disasters, but it does not put you in ones shoes. I was in the Moxham area that day and trying to help my Mom, help her friend pack up some needed items and to gather her children and bring them to our house on the hill. I saw flood waters tearing up the macadam and ripping man hole covers off, as folks were trying to cross through these waters to find higher ground. I watched as one little boy, who was holding his fathers hand slip down into one of the man holes. You saw cars piling up on top of one another, houses literally being torn apart right before your eyes. We were parked miles up the hill and obviously made it to safety. This last flood was the biggest destruction for Johnstown, as the Steel Mills moved out of this "flood free" city. Johnstown thrives because of great men like Pasquerilla, who had devoted so much of his time, money, heart and soul into rebuilding Johnstown, once more. As for the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club and the big tycoons, like Carnegie, who knew the dam needed fixed, he donated a new Library! As for the other floods and Dams breaking, well damn, nature has a heavy hand. Thousands of lives were lost, bridges collapsed, homes were destroyed, businesses shut down, the few remaining stores ran out of food, all power was lost, the rats climbed the hills and grew bigger and the mud covered the railroad tracks. http://www.yelp.com/biz/inclined-plane-johnstown#hrid:b50dCE5AoMY2yUMOe9S41A/src:search/query:The%20Incline%20Plane read more

The Johnstown Flood Museum has state of the art exhibits, artifacts and an award winning documentary. It is about the largest non-natural flood in United States history, that claimed well over 2200 people in 1889. Parking wasnt too bad, admission was $ 6.00 dollars. read more

Great small but informational museum. The heritage discovery center is probably better for kids. This is also a must do if you plan to go up to the flood memorial in Sidman. It gives great detail and perspective so you can appreciate the site. Hours are kind of weird so check before you go read more

Nick was awesome as a tour guide. Very knowledgeable and passionate. Well done Nick made the trip! read more

Fascinating small museum. The film, in particular, is excellent (FAR superior to the one at the National Memorial park). I would recommend this over the National Memorial if you only have time to visit one or the other... while it is interesting to see the remains of the dam that failed, this museum does a much better job presenting what happened. read more

You can visit the entire museum in half an hour. The train model was interesting but I didn't think there was enough for an entire museum

My boyfriend and I took a day off work and drove 2 hours to visit the museum only to find out it was closed for a private event. There was nothing about this on the website. Thanks for wasting our time. read more

I couldn't see anymore pictures at the museum because my heart was in pieces. I can imagine the suffering those people went through was immense. I'm glad the city was rebuilt in a manner that would never happen again. Great employees. read more

Perfect little museum for a rainy day and a 2 year old. Very clean lots to do for adults and kids. I only gave 4 stars because of the 9$ per person hefty admission fee(free if under 2) if you plan on going more than a hand full of times it's worth it. If you are new to the area( from out of state ) the only place to go in Johnstown area with young ones on a rainny snowy day. This is it folks !!! read more

See all

Excellent experience! The exhibits are very interesting, there's lots of actual salvaged "stuff" from the 1889 flood, and a sort of diorama that traces the flood waters path of distruction thru the mountains into the town. An absolutely wonderful and very moving movie is part of the presentation. Definitely a good visit for kids and adults.! read more

Great museum, great facts, great employees. You'll learn some amazing history here,go!

I was very surprised at the quality of this museum. They clearly have excellent and caring curators. The documentary was educational and engaging. The model a great visual to understand it. I think my favorite part were the spectrographs. It did get a little overwhelmingly sad, but that just shows how good it is. read more

I live in a flood prone area of the new jersey shore and have seen flash floods before, so I was terrified to go to this museum, however, my mother wanted to see it so I accompanied her. It was an excellent presentation of the human suffering that occurred due to greed and disrespect of human life from the members of the fishing club who were told the damn could break. However, I do not particularly enjoy reliving the horror of pain and suffering caused by arivice that may occur in my own future. It was terrifying, and at one point during the film, I actually was trembling with fear. read more

Good educational museum. The film was very good, exhibits ok. Went with two teenagers, don't think it would be very interesting for younger children. read more

Definetely a place to take your visitors from out of town. The museum is put together very well. I'm not usually a movie-goer (in museums anyway), but the film they show is fantastic and has won many awards. Combine this stop with the South Fork Dam and your visitors will have a full understanding of the Johnstown Flood. read more