Museum
Tuscarora Academy Museum
Owned and maintained by the Juniata County Historical Society, the Tuscarora Academy Museum stands as a testament to the region’s rich heritage. Originally built as a church in 1816, it became the county’s first secondary school when the Tuscarora Academy was established in 1836. In 1850, the church sold the building to the Academy trustees, who added a second floor, allowing the institution to flourish as a premier boarding school for 80 years. Students from across America attended, and it became coeducational in 1873. While other campus buildings were constructed around it, this historic structure is the only one that remains.
In 1970, the Juniata County Historical Society transformed the building into a museum, preserving and showcasing over 50 years of local heritage. The museum’s exhibits offer a glimpse into the county’s diverse past, featuring artifacts from general stores, post offices, banks, hotels, doctors, schools, churches, the military, carpenters, farmers, blacksmiths, creameries, and everyday family life. Additionally, two rooms are dedicated to depicting the boarding rooms of Academy students, providing an authentic look at life in the institution’s heyday.
academy1
academy2
academy3
academy4
academy25
academy26
academy27
academy28
academy29
Videos about the Museum
Address to the Tuscarora Academy Museum
472 Academy Rd.
Mifflin, PA 17058
Directions from Rt 75
- Take Rt. 75 south/west about 5 miles through the town of Port Royal. Continue on Rt. 75 until reaching the Spruce Hill Lunch. Turn slight right onto Spruce Hill Rd.[SR 3013].
- Drive approximately 1.5 – 2 miles to a stop sign, intersection of Spruce Hill Rd. [SR 3013] and Groninger Valley Rd. [SR 3008].
- Turn left.
- Go very short distance turn right onto Academy Rd. [SR 3015].
- At next stop sign, intersection of Academy Rd. [SR3015] and Academia Rd. [SR3017]turn left.
- The Tuscarora Academy sits at this intersection on the left.
Directions from Rt 35
- Turn at Cross Rd [T388] Cross Rd. is approximately 9 miles south/west of Mifflin, PA on Rt 35.
- If driving from the south/west turn right onto Cross Rd; if driving from Mifflin, PA turn left onto Cross Rd.
- Drive .6 mile on Cross Rd to intersection of Cross Rd. and Academia Rd [SR 3017].
- Turn right and follow this winding road 1.1 miles to intersection of Academy Rd.[SR3015] and Academia Rd. [SR 3017].
- The Tuscarora Academia Museum sits at this intersection.
Directions from Perry County
- Take Rt 74 from Ikesburg to intersection with Rt 75.
- Turn left onto Rt 75.
- Drive to Spruce Hill Lunch.
- Turn slight right onto Spruce Hill Rd [SR 3013].
- Drive approximately 1.5 – 2 miles to a stop sign, intersection of Spruce Hill Rd. [SR 3013] and Groninger Valley Rd. [SR 3008].
- Turn left.
- Go very short distance turn right onto Academy Rd. [SR 3015].
- At next stop sign, intersection of Academy Rd. [SR3015] and Academia Rd. [SR3017] turn left.
- The Tuscarora Academy sits at this intersection on the left.
Museum Preservation
When the Commonwealth passed ownership of the historic Tuscarora Academy Museum to the Juniata County Historical Society in 2016, we embarked on a dedicated mission to preserve and protect this cherished landmark. The first step was working with the Commonwealth to remove the old asbestos roof and replacing it with a durable, long-lasting alternative prior to handing over the site.
In 2023, we continued our preservation efforts by installing a brand new HVAC system with advanced temperature and humidity control to ensure the artifacts and exhibits are maintained in optimal conditions.
Currently, we are undertaking a meticulous restoration of our windows. This involves removing old paint, reglazing the window panes, and repairing any damaged wood pieces to restore the windows to their original state.
Future aims include accessible parking and overall site accessibility improvements.
Our ongoing commitment to preservation ensures that the Tuscarora Academy Museum remains a vibrant and enduring part of Juniata County’s heritage for future generations to enjoy.
