Carnegie Museum of Natural History

One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Visit Powdermill Nature Reserve

  Rector, PA

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

April 1–November 15
Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, noon – 4:30 p.m.
Closed Monday

November 16–March 31
Wednesday–Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, noon – 4:30 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Hiking trails are open
dawn to dusk every day.

Location

GPS Coordinates
+40.160    -79.272

Address         
Powdermill Nature Reserve
1795 Route 381
Rector, PA 15677

See below for detailed directions.

Phone
724.593.6105

salamander crawling through leaves

Programs and Events at Powdermill

Powdermill educators conduct recurring weekend and evening programs throughout the year as well as summer camps June through August.

Storytime and More

Join us at Powdermill Nature Reserve on the first Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. for Storytime and More. Children ages 3 to 9, accompanied by an adult, are welcome to discover the wonders of nature through a picture book read-aloud and related game, craft project, or nature walk.

Science and Nature Program and Nature Explorers

Join us in the Parker Room of the nature center on the second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. for a seasonally relevant nature talk. At the same time, children ages 8 to 13 are invited into the Netting Classroom to join us for a hands-on investigation of the natural world! Weather permitting, each lecture will be followed by a brief foray into the field for an interpretive hike.

Nature at Night

Some kinds of nature are best observed at dusk. Join us on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. for this family friendly program that features a short talk in the nature center followed by an outdoor exploration. Popcorn will be served! Soft drinks will be available for purchase.

Upcoming Events

  • City Nature Challenge: Guided Hike

    April 29, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

    As part of City Nature Challenge 2018 for the Pittsburgh region, join us at Powdermill Nature Reserve for a hike up Porcupine Ridge Trail! Matt Webb, Urban Bird Conservation Coordinator for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA, will give a quick introduction to iNaturalist at the Nature Center at 9 am before leading this this three-mile out-and-back hike. Bring your water, hat, and smart device to take lots of pictures to help us show the world how biodiverse the Pittsburgh region is!

  • Storytime and More

    May 6, 2:00 pm

    The Beeman
    Honey is a delicious treat, but where does honey come from? Bees! Honey bees make the honey we love, and The Beeman helps get it to us. Come listen to this story about The Beeman and how he gathers honey from his apiary. After the story, we will practice our dance moves as we imitate the waggle dance bees use to tell each other about food.

  • Science and Nature Program and Nature Explorers

    May 13, 2:00 pm

    An In-depth Introduction to Honey Bees
    Honey bees are an important part of our lives. They pollinate many flowers, help with fruit production, and of course make honey! So much more than a stinging insect, honey bees should be loved by all. Join local beekeeper Brian Grindle for an exploration into the lives of these beneficial creatures. After the lecture, we will head outside to look for some honey bees in the gardens of Powdermill.

    Hive Alive!
    You may think of honey bees as annoying, stinging insects, but they are so much more. Honey bees make our honey, pollinate our flowers, even give us fruit! Come learn about these wonderful insects and their homes in this hands-on exploration of honey bees. After the activity, we will head outside in search of these buzzing beauties.

  • Nature at Night

    May 16, 7:00 pm

    THE MESSENGER Documentary
    THE MESSENGER is an artful investigation into the causes of songbird mass depletion and the compassionate people who are working to turn the tide. The film takes viewers on a visually stunning journey revealing how the problems facing birds also pose daunting implications for our planet and ourselves.

    View the official trailer for THE MESSENGER. Please note this is a documentary containing emotional footage that may not be suitable for some viewers.

taxidermy coyote

History

Powdermill Nature Reserve LogoPowdermill 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.

Directions

Powdermill Nature Reserve is located in Rector on Route 381 in Cook Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Powdermill is 55 miles east of Pittsburgh, off the Donegal interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For information, call 724.593.6105.

From the North
At the intersection of Route 30 and Route 711 in Ligonier, PA, take route 711 south 3.3 miles to the Rector/Darlington intersection. There are signs there for Powdermill Nature Reserve and Linn Run State Park. Turn left toward Rector and go 1 mile. At the bottom of the hill, before going over the bridge, turn right on to Route 381 South. Follow Route 381 South for 3.3 miles to the Nature Reserve headquarters.

From the PA Turnpike
Take Exit #91 for Donegal. After exiting the turnpike tollbooth, turn left onto Route 31 heading east. Follow Route 31 East for 2.7 miles. Turn left onto Route 381 North. Follow Route 381 North for 6.4 miles to the Nature Reserve headquarters.

Accessibility

Powdermill Nature Reserve welcomes all visitors. We work to assist visitors with disabilities in obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations and in supporting equal access to services, programs, and activities. Please note that requests for accommodations should be made at least two weeks prior to your visit. For specific questions about wheelchairs, strollers, or other programmatic or equipment needs, call 724.593.5907.

Please contact Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh’s Accessibility Coordinator with concerns regarding accessibility for visitors with disabilities at the museums. On weekdays, call 412-622-6578 or email accessibility@carnegiemuseums.org. For more information, read the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Notification/Resolution Procedure under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

More Information

Inclement Weather

Should hazardous conditions result in cancellation, announcements will be made on television stations KDKA, WTAE, and WPXI.