New director at helm of Sewickley Valley Historical Society

Amanda Schaffer was poised to delve into Sewickley-area history when the state stay-at-home order was given.

Now that restrictions have somewhat eased, Schaffer, the new executive director of the Sewickley Valley Historical Society (SVHS), has immersed herself in the society’s archives and been enthralled with what she has found.

“When you think of Sewickley, you think of the large houses the steel tycoons were building during the turn of the century,” she said. “But the early stuff — Lewis and Clark stopped here, and how much activity was down by the river, the modes of transportation, from ferries and boats to the railroad, then the bridge and automobiles — it’s really interesting and exciting.”

Schaffer was hired March 10, replacing acting executive director Susan Holton, who took the role after John Poister resigned. Schaffer is the organizations’ fourth executive director in 46 years.

Mary Beth Pastorius, secretary of SVHS and a member of the search committee, said the board is thrilled with Schaffer and thinks the community will embrace her as well.

“Last winter, the society was fortunate to receive a number of excellent resumes from very well-qualified and educated professionals,” Pastorius said in an email. “But Amanda shone above the crowd with her passion for history, experience working with individuals of all ages, graduate degree in public history, social media abilities and pleasant personality.”

Schaffer, who grew up Penn Hills, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Bloomsburg University, and a master’s degree in public history with a concentration in museum management from Middle Tennessee State University.

She worked in Philadelphia as a National History Day Philly education fellow, collaborating with other organizations in the Philadelphia cultural and historical community, then as a program coordinator for Arch Street Meeting House, a historic Quaker building.

Regularly traveling to Pittsburgh to visit family took a toll, and Schaffer decided to move back in November. In December, she saw the SVHS job posting and applied.

Schaffer was tasked with making the society’s archives accessible online. She has updated its Facebook page and launched Instagram, Twitter and YouTube accounts. She also is working on taking the popular lecture series to a virtual platform.

She said the society’s collection is largely paper, including photos, every edition of the Sewickley Herald, a card catalog of searchable topics and an obituary collection. They also have many objects, including paintings, signs from businesses and equipment from the former Sewickley school of nursing.

“We’re still accepting acquisitions. We just got a student newspaper from the 1920s,” she said. “If anyone has Sewickley history, don’t throw it away. Bring it to us.”

The society’s collection, located in the Old Sewickley Post Office, is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Making an appointment is suggested, so Schaffer can prepare items and follow safety procedures. Masks are required.

For details, call 412-741-5315 or visit www.sewickleyhistory.org.