Our Story

The mission of Braddock's Battlefield History Center (BBHC) is to illuminate how the epic 1755 Battle of the Monongahela spurred changes in the world, shaped the American Revolution, and defined western Pennsylvania.

In 1994, Robert Messner, retired legal counsel for Dollar Bank, became interested in "Braddock's Defeat" (also known as the Battle of the Monongahela). During the next ten years, he collected images and artifacts related to the Braddock Expedition and researched and wrote more than 50 articles about the Battle of the Monongahela. He established a temporary museum within the Braddock Carnegie Library until a permanent home could be determined. Operations were under the former Braddock's Field Historical Society (through 2017), now known as the Braddock Carnegie Library Association. Mr. Messner served as a Trustee of the Braddock's Field Historical Society for more than 20 years.
​
A Feasibility Study team comprised of history site professionals and landscape architects prepared a detailed study examining possible locations for a History Center on or near the actual battlefield. Several foundations looked favorably on the project and made generous grants. As a result, two contiguous sites were purchased where the famous battle began (605 and 609 Sixth Street, North Braddock). Architectural drawings were prepared by Ellis Schmidlapp, previously of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, and sent to contracting firms for bids. With community support from Dollar Bank, #1 Cochran Automotive, and the US Steel Foundation, a complete renovation of what was once the Cochran Pontiac Agency, took place. Braddock's Battlefield History Center opened in August 2012, staffed solely by volunteers.

In the spring of 2018, the executive staff of Fort Ligonier was approached by Mr. Messner to assume management and stewardship of the museum a separate 501 (c)3 was formed, along with an independent board of directors. The museum reopened in May 2019 after minor exhibit and interior renovations.

The main purpose of the BBHC, as a history museum, is to educate the public on the Battle of the Monongahela-- one of the most significant battles of the French and Indian War, commonly known as "Braddock's Defeat,"—that occurred on July 9, 1755, and its regional and global impact on history. This is accomplished through general museum admissions with self-guided museum tours and guided walking tours of Braddock and North Braddock of the battlefield, school field trips and group tours, regular educational programs about aspects of 18th century life, Native American culture, and the French and British soldiers who fought and died here, as well as the issues that led to the conflict known as the French and Indian War and the military tactics applied at the battle.

The secondary purpose of the BBHC is to contribute to the revitalization of Braddock, North Braddock, Braddock Hills, and Rankin communities. This purpose will be accomplished by bringing tourism dollars to the area, beautifying the grounds and building that contain the BBHC to reduce blight, and provide a community resource to reinforce the learning objectives of the classroom.