East Lycoming Historical Society

66 S. Main St Hughesville, PA

Museum Hours: Thursday, Saturday, & Sunday 12-3pm

Our Mission

We are committed to preserving the history of Eastern Lycoming County, PA. Home of the Williamsport & North Branch Railroad.

W&NB Railroad

Hughesville History

Hughesville is named for Jeptha Hughes, who purchased land from John Heap in 1816 and laid out the town of "Hughesburg" before selling the entire plot to Daniel Harrold in 1820. The town grew slowly around a gristmill that was constructed by Jacob Clayton. A tavern was built in 1820, and a general store followed ten years later. The first doctor in Hughesville, John W. Peale, arrived in 1828. Hughesville was incorporated as a borough on April 23, 1852. The first dentist opened an office in 1853 and the first lawyer settled in Hughesville in 1875.


Early industries in Hughesville were built to serve the farmers and citizens of eastern Lycoming County. They included a chair factory opened in 1829, a wagon shop in 1830, several distilleries, a sawmill and planing mill, and a furniture factory. Electricity was introduced to Hughesville in 1891 along with running water.

Current Displays

Special Events



Membership Details

Our Board Members

Rob Mueller, President      president@eastlycominghistoricalsociety.org

Wayne Johnson, Vice President  vicepresident@eastlycominghistoricalsociety.org

McKenna Long, Secretary   secretary@eastlycominghistoricalsociety.org

Anita Wagner, Treasurer   treasurer@eastlycominghisoricalsociety.org

Judy Egly, Board Member

Bill Foresman, Board Member

Ann Hess, Board Member

Gina Michael, Board Member

Lewis Peterman, Board Member

Vince Swartz, Board Member

Don Temple, Board Member

Jacob Wagner, Board Member

Barb Inman, Board Member

ELHS Newsletter

Contact Us

To reach us by mail,  please address your envelope to: East Lycoming Historical Society 66 S. Main St. Hughesville, PA 17737 

Any email inquiries may be sent to secretary@eastlycominghistoricalsociety.org