The Old Stone House Museum

It’s been a busy off-season here at the Old Stone House. In December, graduate students from OSH Curator Dr. Aaron Cowan’s Public History course finished up projects designed to enhance the Old Stone House’s capabilities. Projects included tasks such as: cataloging remaining artifacts from the OSH collection, devising a strategic plan, building a marketing campaign, digging up property and census records, and creating new display cards and exhibit cases. The students donated over 200 hours of volunteer work, the product of which will be displayed and utilized by OSH staff in the coming months to build better programs, events, and community support while enriching the quality of research and information known about the Stone House’s eclectic past. The students benefited also, gaining valuable real world experience that transcends classroom learning.

The Old Stone House is also showing off a fresh coat of paint. The paint crew from Slippery Rock University’s facility and maintenance department recently finished an extensive touch up job, something the Stone House hadn’t seen in years. Freshly painted stairs, window frames, and porch boards gleam outside, while inside the rooms boast new floor to ceiling coats.

Thanks to everyone involved for their efforts in sprucing up the Old Stone House for the 2011 Season!

February 5 & 6: Civil War Weekend

The Old Stone House kicks off its 2011 season in full force this weekend. Join the 63rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry for a Civil War Reenactment and Living History Program. Step inside the Old Stone House and be transported back to the days of North versus South. 10-4 Sat and Sun, Admission is FREE! Donations welcomed.

Visit the Old Stone House on February 26 to commemorate George Washington’s Birthday! Walk in George Washington’s footsteps on the Old Venango Trail, now part of the North Country Trail.

Join us at 10am or 12pm for a hike, some history, and lots of cherry pie. There are four hike options – 1, 2, 3 or 4-5 mile hike. Old Stone House Curator Aaron Cowan will give a presentation on the history of the Old Stone House, the trail, and George Washington. Sponsored by The Butler Chapter of NCT, Butler Outdoor Club,  North Country Brewery, and the Old Stone House. Reservations needed!

Contact  John Stehle 724-283-0191 or stehles@yahoo.com for more information and to make reservations!

Join the 10th PA Reserves at the Old Stone House this weekend as they bring to life a Civil War encampment during the Christmas season. What better way to spend a frigid December weekend than inside the Old Stone House with its roaring fireplace, historic charm, and dozens of Civil War soldiers. Visit Saturday Dec 11 from 9-5 and Sunday Dec 12 from 10-4.

How about a walk in the woods with the father of our country? You can do just that on Saturday morning, Nov 27 — enjoy fresh air and great scenery while commemorating George Washington’s travels through Butler County in 1753.

The hike, sponsored by the Old Stone House, Historic Harmony’s Harmony Museum,  and Washington’s Trail 1753, starts and ends at the Old Stone House.

Back in November 1753, Washington was a 21-year-old volunteer newly commissioned a major by Virginia Lt. Gov. Robert Dinwiddie. He traveled through Pennsylvania Indian country carrying Dinwiddie’s ultimatum demanding withdrawal of the French then building forts on land claimed by England and the Virginia Colony. The French response: the British should stay out of from New France. That ultimatum delivered by Washington, and the military intelligence he obtained during his mission, were instrumental in starting the French and Indian War in southwest Pennsylvania the following spring and summer of 1754.

Along with the 45 minute hike, this year’s commemoration includes refreshments, touring the  Old Stone House, and a chance to discuss the mission with the young Washington and his frontiersman guide Christopher Gist — re-enactors Brian Cunning of Washington, Pa. and Rich Baker of Claysville, Pa. The Old Stone House opens at 9:30 a.m., with guided hikes planned for 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Leading each hike will be a Slippery Rock University history student who will read from the journals of Washington and Gist and explain the significance of Washington’s sometimes hazardous journey.

To reserve a hiking slot, call Jennifer Melnick at the Old Stone House, 724-738-4964. Admission is $5 per person, $12 per family. Each hiking group will be limited in size, so event organizers recommend strongly that participants reserve their start times. The hike will cover about a mile of rocky terrain that is close by the original Venango Path followed in part by Washington. Hikers are advised to wear appropriate footwear as well as clothing suitable for the day’s weather conditions.

The Old Stone House will once again host its “Spooky Stories” Halloween festivities this fall, with plenty of thrills and chills for visitors of all ages.  This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday October 28, 2010 and Friday October 29, 2010 from 5:00-8:00 pm.

The Old Stone House will offer interactive storytelling, historical reenactments, and paranormal investigation – also known as “ghost-hunting.”  A “Haunted Trail” behind the house will feature a frightening walk through the woods of the Old Stone House.

On Friday, the “Spooky Stories” program will host its first-ever costume contest! Sign up any time before 7:00 pm on the front porch of the house. Judging will take place on the front lawn at 7:00 pm.  Prizes will be awarded to 1^st and 2^nd place costumes.

This fun and family-focused tour of the restored 1822 inn is free of charge.  Donations will be accepted to cover the cost of the event and benefit the Old Stone House.   Concessions will be provided by SRU history students for a nominal price.

It’s been a great summer at the Stone House!  In addition to the hundreds of tours we’ve given to visitors, we’ve had a full slate of fun public programs – reenactors depicting the Civil War and French & Indian War brought history alive on the grounds of the house, singer & storyteller Paula Purnell livened up the tavern room with traditional Pennsylvania ballads and folk songs, and we’ve even had a number of  “ghost hunter” paranormal investigation groups  visit the Stone House to try and determine whether the house has any haunted residents still hanging around!

In addition, a visit to the Stone House has been a delicious one for guests, as our “Tavern Chef” Stan Malecki has offered regular demonstrations of historic cooking using authentic 19th century recipes and foods.  Our archaeological excavation of the summer kitchen continues with the help of Dr. Ed Dlutowski, who has coordinated volunteers and also offered several historic archaeology sessions at the Stone House for Slippery Rock University’s Institute for Learning in Retirement.

And there’s more to come!  Our annual “Spooky Stories” program of historical Halloween fun will return October 28th-29th, and Friday, November 26th the Stone House will host the annual hike to commemorate George Washington’s journey through western Pennsylvania (offered in conjunction with the Harmony Museum and Washington’Trail 1753).  More details about the Halloween event and the November hike will be announced soon.

In the meantime, we’re still open every weekend through the end of October for free tours.  Also, have you considered joining the Friends of the Old Stone House?  It’s a great way to help us continue to preserve and share our rich local history.  So, stay tuned – there’s more to come from the Stone House!

It’s Civil War weekend here at the Old Stone House!  Join us this Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 18-19th) from 10-5 each day.  Our friends in the 10th PA Reserves “Mercer Rifles” reenactment group will offer a complete living history encampment, soldier competitions, and skirmish re-enactments.

Living history interpreters will offer demonstrations of Civil War camp life, food, children’s games, and music.   The Old Stone House will also be open for guided tours.  Come out for some historic fun this weekend!

Reenactors prepare for skirmish at the 2009 event

Take a voyage back into the 18^th century, as the Old Stone House presents its annual CONFLICT ON THE VENANGO PATH French and Indian War encampment August 14^th and 15^th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, on the grounds of the Old Stone House.  Admission is free.

Activities will include a complete living history encampment, military demonstrations, and battle re-enactments.  On Saturday, visitors can also enjoy a “taste of history” as cooks will prepare free samples of food from European and Native cultures using authentic colonial-era recipes and cooking methods.

The Venango Path was a well-known Indian trail that stretched from the forks of the Ohio northward toward Lake Erie, running past the current site of the Old Stone House.  The trail was used extensively during the French and Indian War.  Now, British, French and Native American forces will once again march along this famous trail!

“The French and Indian War was a pivotal event in our local history,” noted Dr. Aaron Cowan, curator of the Stone House and SRU history professor.  “During the 1750s, Western Pennsylvania was a major battleground in this explosive global conflict.  Our encampment offers the chance for people to enjoy learning more about this war, as well as seeing aspects of everyday colonial American life firsthand.”

Also, check out our Flickr slideshow from last year’s event!

We’re really looking forward to hosting Western Pennsylvania native Paula Purnell for her “Celebrate Pennsylvania!” program next Saturday, July 10th.  Celebrate PA! is  a great time for kids and families, and anyone interested in Pennsylvania’s rich heritage.  Click here to contact OSH curator Aaron Cowan and reserve your seat today!