About

The Shaffer house was built in 1869 and it is the only building standing in Windber Borough from the time before the arrival of the Berwind White Coal Mining Company.

"In 1864 David Shaffer bought John Masserbaugh's holdings along Paint Creek which included almost all of the land that is now Windber Borough. David Shaffer cleared land and built the first modern house in the community. Following in the way of his father, he looked to the land to supply his family with the necessities of life... Taking a step forward he opened a vein of coal to supply the local demand for this new type of fuel. This mine, the first coal mine to be opened locally, was located near what is now the corners of Cambria Avenue and 15th Street in Windber." -Fred C. Doyle, Editor

"Mr. & Mrs. Shaffer...sold the home to the Berwind White Coal Company who then rented the home to their engineers and superintendents. It was used as a rental until late 1969-1970 when it was turned over to Windber Borough; it become the museum in 1972." -Windber Area Museum

Windber Area Museum Inc.

The David Shaffer Homestead

About

"Mr. & Mrs. Shaffer...sold the home to the Berwind White Coal Company who then rented the home to their engineers and superintendents. It was used as a rental until late 1969-1970 when it was turned over to Windber Borough; it become the museum in 1972." -Windber Area Museum