Powdermill Nature Reserve
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
About Powdermill
Powdermill Nature Reserve is Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s environmental research center. Located 55 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in Rector, Pennsylvania, Powdermill is a field station and laboratory where researchers do long-term studies of natural populations in western Pennsylvania. In addition to being positioned for Appalachian-specific studies in ornithology, ecology, invertebrate zoology, and botany, Powdermill is a great place to spend a fun-filled day outdoors with the family.
Explore the beautiful woodlands around Powdermill, or visit the nature center, which features exhibits that highlight local wildlife, an indoor stream, and a marsh machine that uses a living greenhouse to purify waste water.
Admission to Powdermill Nature Reserve is free.
Nature Center Hours
The Nature Center will be closed on Sunday, April 17, 2022.
Winter Hours
Nov. 1 – Mar 31
Wednesday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Sunday: Noon–4:30 p.m.
Summer Hours
Apr 1 – Oct 31
Tuesday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Sunday: Noon–4:30 p.m.
Location
GPS Coordinates
+40.160 -79.272
Address
Powdermill Nature Reserve
1795 Route 381
Rector, PA 15677
Phone
724.593.6105
Hiking & Trails
Trails are open dawn to dusk.
Events at Powdermill
Biodiversity Day at Powdermill
May 21, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Discover the biodiversity of our region—and your own backyard. Join us for an adventurous day of g...
Phenomenal Fungi at Powdermill Nature Reserve
June 4, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Join us for Phenomenal Fungi! Learn from experts about the many ecological roles of fungi, venture o...
Science and Nature Lecture
June 19, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture wil...
Science and Nature Lecture
July 17, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture wil...
Family Nature Walk at Powdermill
August 6, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill ...
Science and Nature Lecture
August 21, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture wil...
Family Nature Walk at Powdermill
September 3, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill ...
Science and Nature Lecture
September 18, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture wil...
History
Powdermill Nature Reserve was established by Carnegie Museum of Natural History in 1956 to serve as a field station for research on natural populations. General and Mrs. Richard K. Mellon and Dr. and Mrs. Alan M. Scaife presented 1,160 acres of land located about 3 miles south of Rector, Pennsylvania, for the use of Carnegie Museum of Natural History which was named “Powdermill Nature Reserve, a Research Station of Carnegie Museum.” Over the next several years, acreage was added to Powdermill Nature Reserve, and it now offers more than 2,200 acres of woodlands, streams, fields, and ponds for research and educational programs. Powdermill is home to the museum’s GIS lab, avian research center, and a new nature center with ecological exhibits.
