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History of Westmoreland County

Pennsylvania's Westmoreland County was formed by an Act of Assembly, approved by Governor Richard Penn, on February 26, 1773. The County celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2023.

Over its history, the county has evolved with the rest of Pennsylvania. Industrial and mining towns have grown amid Westmoreland’s rural landscape, resulting in the modern network of cities, townships and boroughs that sit between the Pittsburgh metropolis to the west and the outdoor attractions of the Laurel Highlands to the east.

County Seat - Greensburg

The City of Greensburg sits on the Allegheny Plateau in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is located approximately 35 miles east of Pittsburgh and has a total land area of 4.2 square miles. Greensburg is the largest city in Westmoreland County.

Greensburg is Westmoreland County’s major business and cultural center, often seen as the “downtown” for the Central Westmoreland County area. The City hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year. Fairs, festivals, summer concerts, house tours, and holiday parades are all yearly events on the City’s calendar.

The Westmoreland Cultural Trust, as well as The Palace Theatre, and The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, make up a large part of the city’s cultural entertainment. The Greensburg Recreation Department offers a variety of seasonal sports activities.

SummerSounds Concerts in the Park is the City of Greensburg’s outdoor summer concert series. Concerts are free and open to the public. They’re held Friday evenings from June through August in St. Clair Park, and feature talented local, national, and international artists.

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