The Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania is a cultural organization in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After several attempts during the early and mid-century to establish a historical society, an organization called Old Residents of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania was formed on January 10, 1859. Five years later the group changed its name to Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Now the region's oldest cultural organization, HSWP does business as and operates both the Senator John Heinz History Center and the Meadowcroft Rockshelter. The History Center includes the Library & Archives, which preserves hundreds of thousands of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, atlases, newspapers, films and recordings documenting over 250 years of life in the region; and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, a museum-within-a-museum documenting Pittsburgh's extensive sports legacy. The History Center opened in 1996 in Pittsburgh's Strip District and receives funding from various private, foundation and governmental sources as well as public sources including the Allegheny Regional Asset District. The Detre Library and Archives on the sixth floor are free and open to the public to use. Western Pennsylvania importance to the North in the Civil War Western Pennsylvania was one of the industrial strengths that helped the North win the Civil War. One of the most crucial moments that Pennsylvania saved the North from losing was the Rodman guns cast at the Fort Pitts Works. They supplied the north with 1.193 cannons. This was nearly 15% of the total manufactured. Other than guns, Pennsylvania also created many kinds of boats and used in Mississippi. Steam ram boats were one of the most famous kinds, they helped smash the confederate ships in Memphis. While having a variety of boats, their docks were very busy and the city became a popular area because of the railroad that were supplying the troops. A popular spot for soldiers to stop for a little was Pittsburgh. Having many soldiers in the city, a myriad amount of money went into supplying them.
