|
|
| Historic House Tour 2012
|
 |
Enter the doors to the remarkably rich history of Westmoreland County!
People like to know the history of their homes and the residents who preceded them. It enhances our sense of place and belonging, and reflects our understanding that a big part of who we are is a product of those who came before us. History gives us context, which in turn provides direction, and makes us better decision makers. That is why history is important, and why the Westmoreland County Historical Society is so committed to this event.
The 2012 Historic House Tour is scheduled for September 21-22. The "Toast the Tour" Cocktail Party will be held at the Armstrong~Fogg House in the Academy Hill neighborhood of Greensburg on Friday evening. The self-driving tour will take place from 10 to 4 on Saturday.
- The Giffen House - was built c. 1840 by the Giffen family who were among the earliest settlers of Mount Pleasant Township. The house, now owned by Judge and Mrs. William J. Ober, is constructed of red clay brick featuring fine walnut woodwork throughout. The property also includes a bank barn, a summer kitchen, a springhouse, and an outdoor beehive oven where a bread baking demonstration will be held during the tour. Guests will be treated to pieces of the peasant-style bread which would have been baked in such an oven.
- The George House - The house was built by John George about 1846 using bricks made at the brickyard on property owned by the Roman Catholic Church, where St. Vincent was subsequently built. The traditional Pennsylvania style farmhouse with Italianate trim housed several families during the 20th century, even providing 12 beds for use by WWII returning GIs who were enrolled at St. Vincent College and a bakery that supplied fresh bread to local grocers that included the upstart business of one George DeLallo. Mrs. Michael Metil, who has owned the house for 45 years, will be on hand to greet guests who will enjoy tea, cookies, a scavenger hunt with prizes, and a display by the Latrobe Historical Society.
- Sewickley Manor~Pollins Farmstead - On land first acquired in 1769 by a Pollins' ancestor, Abraham ("Indian Abe") Leasure, David S. Pollins built this handsome red brick home on a lovely hillside in Unity Township. Sewickley Manor is a well preserved example of a 19th century Greek Revival Western Pennsylvania farmstead. The house was built in 1852 only a few years after the completion in 1849 of an adjacent large German clapboard barn. This property is extraordinary not only because it retains nearly all of its supportive outbuildings, but also because the current owners, Calvin E. Pollins and his wife Mary Frances, are the seventh consecutive generation of the Pollins family to live there. A museum-quality corner cupboard dating to 1780 is the focal point of the dining room which is decorated with a hand-painted wall mural of the farmstead. A magnificent view of the Chestnut Ridge from the nearly floor to ceiling windows is a delightful feature of a new sunroom addition.
- Conrad M. Semler House - Conrad Semler, originally from Ohio and a successful family flour milling business, arrived in Westmoreland County in the early 1900s to head the Pittsburg High Voltage Company in Derry. He served in that position until 1927 when he sold his interests to Westinghouse Company and subsequently organized the Semler Company in Jeannette. It was in 1926 that this rambling asymmetrical Tudor Revival home, designed by architect, Charles H. Sorber, was built for Mr. Semler. The house is located on a large beautifully landscaped lot and features a circular driveway with a fountain in the center, where a vintage 1933 Ford Model BB Roadster will be on display. The current owners, Drs. Howard and Susan Bursch, maintain a lovely garden and weather-permitting, the grounds - and perhaps a miniature garden railroad- will be featured.
- James T. Hughes House - A prominent Latrobe citizen, James Hughes was the 27th Burgess (mayor) of Latrobe serving from 1909 to 1914. He was involved in numerous business endeavors including the organization of various specialty steel operations in Latrobe. He was also known for his insurance and real estate business that operated for nearly 60 years. Based on plans drawn by architects Paul Bartholomew and Brandon Smith, this red brick home was completed in 1925-26. The house has changed little in appearance since the Hughes' ownership. The first floor hall features a small card room that can be enclosed with folding glass doors and features a small door in the wall that opens into the kitchen. Current owners, Ernie and Georgia Teppert, have added a custom oak bar to this room, and on the day of the tour, guests will enjoy sparkling water and an hors d'oeuvre passed from the kitchen to the card room!
- Citizens National Bank Building - The steel industry's establishment of major specialty alloy plants in Latrobe sustained economic growth in the region. Symbolic of this growth, Citizens National Bank of Latrobe erected a more elaborate, substantial and up-to-date building in 1926. Architects Paul Bartholomew and Brandon Smith were retained to design a building that symbolized the bank's importance. The new bank opened for business on November 21, 1927 and publicity touted it as "most modern in every particular" with a vault that would have "sufficient strength to withstand earthquakes and dynamite attacks." In 1996, Greensburg attorney, Vincent Quatrini, Jr., purchased the building and began a process of actively restoring the historic pieces of this bank that over the years had been removed or hidden by more modern features and designs. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
