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Hours of Operation | 2005 Schedule
In 1800, a group of German Mennonites from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, led by Henry Overholt, crossed the Alleghenies and established a farming settlement on the fertile plains just west of the Chesnut Ridge.
Henry's son, Abraham, had built a three story brick house and was the proprietor of a large gristmill and a distillery by 1838. Both businesses were located in a six story brick structure near the Overholt Homestead. The growing community, consisting of brick homes for Overholt employees, a general store, farm, and other related buildings, become known as West Overton Village.
Abraham's daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband John Frick, have a son, Henry Clay Frick, born in 1849. The Frick birthplace, a small stone cottage, also served as the spring house on the Overholt farm. Although Frick only lived in the cottage during his infancy, he never lived far from his Overholt grandparents and spent a great deal of time in their company. As a young man, Frick went to work in the second distillery owned by his grandfather in Broadford, just eight miles away. While working there as a bookkeeper, Frick became interested in the coke business and eventually began building ovens to produce coke for the Pittsburgh market. By 1881, Frick was a millionaire living in Pittsburgh with his new bride, Adelaide Howard Childs.
Frick died in 1919, the same year that Prohibition closed the Overholt Distillery in West Overton. In 1922, Helen Clay Frick, Henry's only surviving daughter, began to purchase the buildings in West Overton where her great grandparents had lived and her father was born. In 1928, Helen Frick founded the Westmoreland-Fayette Historical Society to operate and maintain the site, known as West Overton Museums.
West Overton Village was named to the National Register of Historic Districts in 1985 as an outstanding example of a 19th century rural industrial village.
West Overton is on PA 819 between the towns of Mount Pleasant and Scottdale. From the PA Turnpike, exit at New Stanton (Exit 8) and follow 119 South for ten miles to 819 South. Follow 819 South for approximately half a mile to reach West Overton.
Visitors to West Overton Museums may view the film, Pillars of Fire, which illustrates the process of turning coal into coke; visit the Overholt Homestead and Gift Shop; tour two floors of the Overholt Mill/Distillery, which contains a large collection of household, farm and industrial tools; visit the birthplace of Henry Clay Frick; and tour the wash house and smokehouse.
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West Overton Museums 2005 Schedule
Event times and dates are subject to change. Please contact museum to confirm date and time of events.
Kite Classic
April 22 (Rain Day April 29)
Ever wonder how a kite works? How does it fly? Junior High students from around the area will get a chance to make a kite to represent their school as they compete with other junior high students while they learn the mechanics of kite building.
Heirloom Plant Sale and Family Fly-In
May 14
The Museums officially open for the season! Come out early for our plant sale (begins at 9:00 am) and stay into the afternoon for our Family Fly-In where you can build a kite to fly. Have a favorite kite? Bring it along! Family Fly-In subject to weather, call for details.
22nd Annual Quilt Show
June 4 - July 1
Join West Overton Museums in the 22nd annual quilt show. It showcases many local as well as regional handmade and machine-made quilts that will be judged. Visitors will also have a chance to vote for their favorite in the People's Choice Award. This show is free with paid museum admission.
Founder's Day
June 18
It's been 77 years Since Helen Clay Frick founded the museum. Come celebrate with free hotdogs, birthday cake and tours of the Homestead.
Olde Overholt Days
July 23 & 24
See how 19th century vendors made their living as you view demonstrations, arts, and crafts. Call for details.
Tomato Tasting
August 20
Yellow Pear, White Wonder, Brandywine... which is your favorite type of tomato? Come out and try a variety of Heirloom tomatoes grown right here at West Overton! You can buy a basket of your favorite!
Negatives Exposed
August 26 - September 30
Photo exhibition in the featuring West Overton’s collection of glass plate negatives. These unpublished photographs depict rural life in southwestern Pennsylvania during the 19th century.
Last Day of the Season
October 1
All good things must come to an end, see you next year!
Annual Membership Meeting
October 15 (2-4 pm)
Come get out and find out what’s been going on West Overton for the past year. Remember, this is your museum, and your participation is crucial.
Otherworldly Weekends
October 20 - 22/ 27 - 29
Things that go bump in the night, 19th century funeral practices, and West Overton ghost stories. Plus original literary works of horror presented by the Ligonier Valley Writers Guild (Edgar Allen Poe would be pleased!) This event is a must for the curious and adventuresome! Call for details.
Decked Out December and Old Tyme Model Train & Toy Show (17th)
December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17
Come see the mansion house decked out in holiday splendor,
reminiscent of a Dickens’ novel and as lovely as a Currier & Ives print! Quaint model train exhibits and toy vendors in the Barns and Distillery Room; Christmas the way it ought to be. While at Overly's, come on over to West Overton! Call for details.
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| The Abraham Overholt Homestead |
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| The Overholt Distillery |
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| Birthplace of Henry Clay Frick |
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| The Abraham Overholt Homestead |
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| Area Map |
Admission:
Adults — $7.00
Students/Seniors — $4.00
Children 6 & under and members are free.
Admission includes a brief film, Pillars of Fire, a guided tour of the Abraham Overholt homestead and self-guided tour of the Village. The museum is open May through October.
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sundays 1-5pm
West Overton Village
Scottdale, PA 15683
Phone: 724/887-7910
Fax: 724/887-5010
Email: womuseum@westol.com
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