West Jefferson Hills Historical Society
Celebrates Its Silver Anniversary
By D. C. Morinello, WJHHS Board est Jefferson Hills BOROUGH OF JEFFERSON HILLS NEWS
t was 25 years ago that WJHSD middle school librarian Joyce Schmidt founded the organization which is known today as the West Jefferson Hills Historical Society( WJHHS). Mrs. Schmidt began this endeavor by placing ads in local newspapers, inviting residents to an organizational meeting on February 23, 2000, at the Jefferson Hills Borough Building. The meeting exceeded expectations, drawing 36 participants, including newer residents eager to learn about the area’ s history and long-time residents interested in sharing and preserving their stories, artifacts, and photographs.
Although the original plan was to limit the organization to the Jefferson Hills area, some members suggested that the historical society expand to include the areas of Pleasant Hills and West Elizabeth, thus sharing part of its name with the local school district. A vote quickly confirmed the society’ s permanent name as West Jefferson Hills Historical Society.
Shortly after that first meeting, a board and officers were elected, committees were formed, and the society’ s purpose was established. By August 2000, the society began hosting historically themed programs at 7:00 PM on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Field trips to local cemeteries and historic sites soon followed. By spring 2001, the society began publishing a quarterly newsletter for its members.
From its beginning, the society’ s mission has been to locate, document, preserve, and chronicle the sites, stories, and artifacts of historical significance to West Elizabeth,
The WJHHS logo, created by Dale Graff in 2000, reflects the main sources of development for the West Jefferson Hills area: farming, river transportation, and coal mining.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 7:00 P. M. Community Rooms of Jefferson Hills
Municipal Building
“ Women Who Made a Difference” Presented by Amy Smart
Jefferson Hills, and Pleasant Hills. To aid the organization in this mission, Jefferson Hills Borough gave the WJHHS a small room adjacent to Council
WJHHS Events
Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 7:00 P. M. Community Rooms of Jefferson Hills
Municipal Building
“ Whispering Souls Paranormal Investigations” Presented by Patty Henderson
Chambers to use as an archive. In addition to preserving local history through its archive and quarterly newsletter, the WJHHS created its first annual calendar in 2003, showcasing antique and vintage photographs.
Society membership has increased from its original 36 members to 174 members in 2025. The quality of the society’ s historically themed programs attracts larger and larger audiences each month. Though its primary focus is
Joyce Schmidt local history, the organization has embraced the digital age with a website, Facebook page and group, and a Forever. com account to publicly share its extensive document and photo collection. As awareness of WJHHS has grown, more people have reached out to its archive for information on early families, cemetery burials, and other aspects of local history.
To celebrate its Silver Anniversary in 2025, the WJHHS has planned several events. On April 12, the Fundraising Committee will host an Anniversary Cookie Table event. On September 19, charter members will be honored at a members-only reception at the GBU building in Gill Hall Park. On September 20, the public is invited to a 25th Anniversary Open House at the Jefferson Hills Borough Building, featuring local artifacts and photographs.
During its first 25 years, the WJHHS has served its community well: preserving area artifacts, providing free programs for all community members to enjoy, and answering the queries of those curious about local history. It is hoped that the next 25 years become just as productive.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 7:00 P. M. Community Rooms of Jefferson Hills
Municipal Building
“ Pittsburgh Railroad and Trolley Museum”
Presented by George Gula
56 WEST JEFFERSON HILLS