25-05-2025
Johnstown Flood National Memorial to hold 1889 flood anniversary activities
ST. MICHAEL, Pa. – The 136th anniversary of the 1889 Johnstown Flood will be recognized May 31.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial will commemorate the victims of the flood that occurred on May 31, 1889, when the South Fork Dam broke, sending 20 million tons of water down the Conemaugh Valley to Johnstown.
'It is our duty each day to honor the 2,209 flood victims,' said Stephen M. Clark, superintendent of the Johnstown Flood National Memorial.
The Visitor Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. free of charge.
The park film 'Black Friday' will play throughout the day at a quarter after each hour.
At 4:07 p.m., park rangers will lay commemorative wreaths on the remains of the dam at the time the floodwaters reached Johnstown.
The wreath-laying will be broadcast live on the park's Facebook page at
Beginning at 7 p.m., 2,209 luminarias, will be lit to honor the victims of the flood. They will line the remains of the South Fork Dam and around the Visitor Center.
Each luminaria will have the name of a flood victim written on it and will remain lit until 10 p.m.
Park grounds will remain open until the conclusion of the luminarias.
Parking is available at the Visitor Center and the South Abutment.
A shuttle runs between the Visitor Center and the North Abutment through the duration of the luminarias.
Luminarias also will be visible from the Visitor Center area.
For more information, call 814-886-6171 or visit
