In 1969, Katherine Mabis McKenna, a well known philanthropist educated in engineer drawing, provided the design and the funds to build the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center. The reason to build the center was two-fold: It served as a memorial to her dearly departed son, Mennel, as well as providing her with a catalyst that would enable her vision of an educational and cultural civic center to come to fruition.

Mrs. McKenna was so inspired by her vision, that she donated the building to the City of Greensburg so that the entire Greensburg and Westmoreland County region could utilize the building as a premier meeting center and multipurpose facility. Although governed by the Board of Directors of the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, Inc., a five-member commission was appointed by the city council to oversee the center's operation.

In 1992, the Board voted to change the focus, and the name, of the governing body. "The Westmoreland Trust", a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, was born. It was formed to manage and operate the GG&CC, as well as serve the community on a much larger scale. It was determined that the most effective method of keeping Mrs. McKenna's dream alive, and providing necessary services to the region, would be to expand the focus of the Trust to include it to take on a leadership role in the development and enhancement of the cultural life and economic well being of the Westmoreland County region.

What We Do...

1. Managing Community Assets
2. Presenting Arts and Entertainment
3. Providing Support Services for Presenting Arts and Organizations
4. Developing a Historical, Cultural and Entertainment District

In order to fulfill Mrs. McKenna's dreams and successfully achieve this goal, the Trust accepted this challenge by pursuing the possibility of collaborating with the other arts and cultural organizations to ensure the continuation of the enhanced cultural life. One of the ways we do this is by raising funds to help these organizations with their various needs, such as providing them with affordable office space.

Collaborations with organizations such as The Laurel Ballet, Greensburg Civic Theatre, the Westmoreland Symphony, River City Brass Band and the Apple Hill Playhouse have benefited the community not only by bringing art and culture to the area, but also by creating a unique community spirit and source of regional pride.

The Trust has created and maintained many successful partnerships with the city, county, state and federal governmental agencies; foundations; corporations and individuals from across the region.

And Now...

In January of 2005, The Westmoreland Trust was renamed the "Westmoreland Cultural Trust" to better identify its true mission and purpose of taking on a leadership role in the development and enhancement of the cultural life of the Westmoreland County region.

Westmoreland Cultural Trust receives state
arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and the National Endowment for the Arts, a
federal agency.