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Culture & Heritage
In the late 1800s, Johnstown's rich natural industries attracted European immigrants seeking work in the area's steel mills and coal mines. The Welsh secured mining jobs while many Germans came to Johnstown during the canal days and later became merchants. Irish, Swedish and Italian settlers sustained railroading jobs while Jewish merchants opened stores and Chinese laundries operated. Polish, Slavic and Russian workers were contracted with the iron company while African Americans found work in the tannery.
The population, according to the 1870 census, was approximately 22.5 percent foreign birth. With this large influx of immigrants, Johnstown became a melting pot of new talents, religions, and family traditions.*
Today, Johnstown celebrates its rich cultural heritage through its majestic ethnic churches, festivals and special events, cuisine, and neighborhoods. Visitors can relive history through our walking tours, including the beautiful nationality churches of Cambria City. Learn about life in a coal mining town or as a miner at our attractions. Celebrate our cultural diversity at the Johnstown FolkFest, a three day Labor Day festival featuring church tours, renowned musicians, and ethnic eateries.
The Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center sponsors an ethnic wedding ceremony during FolkFest while showcasing traditional arts, exhibits and workshops throughout the remainder of the year. Your visit wouldn't be complete without trying our tasty specialties such as gobs, pierogies, halupki or halushki. And because you can't get enough of these delicacies while you visit, we've included a Local Flavors page to try your hand at preparing these ethnic delights at home.
Recommended Reading: To discover more about Johnstown's diverse history, look for this book, "Down at the Club: An Historical and Cultural Survey of Johnstown's Ethnic Clubs," by Curtis Miner, Johnstown Area Heritage Association
* Information is referenced from A History of Johnstown and the Great Flood of 1889: A Study of Disaster and Rehabilitation, by Nathan Daniel Shappee, 1940. [back to top]
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