Union City Historical Museum

Looking to step back into a bygone era for a couple hours? How about getting to see a 1925 Ford Model T or a 1934 Union City fire truck — up close and free of charge? Head to downtown Union City for a history tour of small-town America.

With no admission fees, the Union City Historical Museum is a gift to the community. The museum’s collection of 3,000 artifacts spans three floors packed from corner to corner with antiques and curiosities — from original surveying equipment to massive film projectors to kitchen tools from rural life in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. “When you visit the Union City Historical Museum, you are seeing objects that Union City residents who lived a hundred years ago actually used,” Museum Board President Linda Geer said.

Founded in 1964, the museum’s goal is to preserve the history of Union City by exhibiting pieces ranging from desks and items used in an actual one-room schoolhouse to the century-old tools used daily by local farmers. One of the museum’s highlights is the War Room — spanning the Revolutionary War to Vietnam to more current conflicts — featuring full-dress military uniforms, machine guns, and a footlocker from a Civil War soldier, among other interest-piquing artifacts.

“You could spend hours looking through these rooms,” museum volunteer Jim Ross said. Museumgoers are fascinated by the 1940s custom bicycle built for famed resident George Showers — who lost both his arms in a basket-factory accident at age 14, and whose legacy of resilience is iconic. “This is pure Union City history.”

Another fan favorite is the 1875 hand-built horse-drawn hearse. The 150-year-old hearse has been featured in the Union City Homecoming Parade.

“I love how excited people get when they see a bit of history that fascinates them,” Board Treasurer Ginny Wetmore said. “When little boys walk up to the Model T and the fire truck, they always ask if they can sit inside. The answer is, ‘Absolutely!’ There’s always something to learn.”

If you’re heading here in the summertime, be sure to check the museum’s Facebook page for the date of the Blueberry Social, when visitors are treated to free staff-made blueberry cobbler and ice cream before perusing historic treasures.

The Union City Historical Museum welcomes all to enjoy the history its dedicated volunteers are preserving. The museum is open during the months of April through November on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. December through March, the museum is closed for regular hours; however, tours are available by appointment any time of year by calling 814-438-7573. Group tours are available as well. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted to keep up the collection.

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