History + Heritage Sites in Butler County

Many of Butler County's towns have a rich German history. The Harmony National Historic Landmark District was founded by the Harmony Society of German Lutheran Separatists, who were seeking religious freedom. Today this quaint town features a museum and several historic buildings. Saxonburg, founded by Karl and John Roebling, offered a new life for German settlers. The town still holds much of its original charm and has a sizeable replica of the Brooklyn Bridge to honor bridge designer John Roebling.

The Butler County Heritage Center displays many of the industries of Butler's past and present. Its permanent collection includes the Bantam Hollywood prototype convertible sports car and an original Bantam "jeep." In 1940, the jeep was created and developed in Butler, in cooperation with the U.S. Army as the first "general purpose" vehicle for the Armed Forces.

Downtown Butler's Maridon Museum is the only museum in western Pennsylvania with a specific focus on Chinese and Japanese art and culture coupled with German Meissen porcelain (dating from 1713). Originating from a resident's private collection, the museum displays centuries of Asian art, including miniature sculptures called "netsukes," often humorous wood or ivory carvings that were used as fasteners in traditional Japanese dress.