Avonworth Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of the Avonworth community and its future development, providing a sense of history and place for upcoming generations. Our purpose is to collect the artifacts, stories and images from the original settlers to those of its newest inhabitants. We aspire to chronicle the progression of our original communities of Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth, Ohio Township and Kilbuck Township from rural areas into vibrant neighborhoods.
Avonworth Historical Society is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Andrew Barbour
Rick Birkholz
Patty Clark
Brady Collins
Lynn Evans
Michelle George
Judy Pastor
Dan Simkins
Marybeth Sommers
Tracy Ferguson
Avonworth Historical Society embraces the diverse lived experiences of our community members, both past and present. We respect the wide range of human differences, including but not limited to race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, physical ability, national origin, socio-economic status, language, cultural background and political beliefs. We strive to be inclusive and make our collections accessible to all. We encourage the engagement of people of all backgrounds as we foster a culture of respect, learning, integrity and fairness. We welcome opportunities to collect and share the stories of our shared humanity to build a richer understanding of our past and guide us in the present and future.
The Elste building, located at 7119 Church Avenue in Ben Avon, is a historic former grocery store now being restored by the Avonworth Historical Society. This restoration project aims to preserve the building’s original character while transforming it into a vibrant center for exhibits, educational programs, and community events. Once completed, the Elste building will serve as both a historical destination and a community gathering place, reinforcing the cultural identity of the Avonworth area. It will also provide the Historical Society with a permanent home to support its growing mission across the five boroughs of the Avonworth School District.
