Westmoreland historical preservation falls to volunteers, governments

The Murrysville Historical Preservation Society was born — as many such societies are — out of necessity.

“What started the society in the first place was the move to tear down the Jeremiah Murry house in 1987, at the corner of Sardis Road and Old William Penn Highway,” said Carol Intrieri, membership chair for the society.

The group's major fundraiser is its annual festival, but Intrieri said the work it does is mainly supported by society members themselves.

“We might clear a few hundred dollars with (the festival),” Intrieri said. “Our dues go toward the society, and we've done some activities where we make a few dollars. But the fundraising is very limited. We don't raise big money — it's nickels and dimes.”

The society's story is one of many throughout the region. Local historical societies and governments typically shoulder the responsibility of preserving Western Pennsylvania's extensive history, and the cost — whether in dollars or volunteer hours — is high.

The Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society was formed in 1980 to save the historic battlefield in Penn Township and educate residents about its importance. The society's 300 members are all volunteers, and society Treasurer Donna Detore of Greensburg said its ability to continue is entirely dependent on fundraisers.

“A lot of it depends on the weather,” Detore said. “The budget fluctuates depending on how the fundraisers do.”

The society spent just under $95,000 in 2016 but brought in only about $68,500 in revenue. Last year's budget included the construction of additional parking and a walkway.

To boost the budget, the society sells personalized brick pavers and hosts the annual battle reenactment, haunted hayrides in the fall, a car cruise, two teas, a children's day camp and nature walks.

The museum is staffed daily by about seven people. Only one is paid.

Detore said her background as an educator is why she got involved.

“When I heard about them wanting to expand the museum and grow the site, I was a history teacher in Connellsville,” she said. “I thought this was something I should be involved in.”

That desire to connect residents with the history of their respective towns is a big reason many volunteers get involved with historic preservation.

In Delmont, council members are considering options to make repairs to a historic cabin on the Shields Farm property.

“We want to keep it alive, as an attraction and from a historic perspective,” Councilman David Weber said. “We want to keep it usable and useful, and offer its use to different groups.”

Unfortunately, when it comes to log cabin repair, the options are limited — and can often be costly.

Delmont Public Library Director Denni Grassel was recently able to secure a $5,000 grant to help fund the repairs, and council has a Shields Farm account with money earmarked for improvements to the property. But Weber would like to see the cabin help replenish that account.

“What we need to do is foster a greater utilization of the cabin,” he said. “We want to have people come through there not just for the (Christmas at Salem Crossroads) pilgrimage or the Apple 'n Arts festival but year-round.”

Murrysville officials benefited from the largesse of an anonymous donor to make more than $65,000 in renovations and repairs to the 1700s-era Staymates cabin off of Round Top Road.

Hiring an Amish work crew led by Elmer Hostetler, workers tore off the back section of the cabin, down to the sills and beams, according to Murrysville Historical Preservation Society President Carl Patty.

“The original roof rafters were round logs, and those were removed and replaced with cut rafters,” Patty said. “But the log structure, foundation and basement are all original.”

The society has put more than $25,000 into restoration and repair to the 1903 barn on the Staymates cabin property. That cost was covered mostly through donations, Patty said. Grant funding covered the cost of period-appropriate chandeliers.

Intrieri said she hopes residents decide to take more of an interest in preserving the vast amount of local history that still exists, citing her recent trip to Edenton, N.C., as an example.

“They have a house that dates back to 1542,” she said. “There are 30 houses, owned by the local historical society, and all but three of them have people living in them. They've all been maintained, renovated and added to over the years.”

While the Murrysville society pursues any grants it finds and has gotten help from local benefactors over the years, Intrieri said a commitment to preserving history is what's needed.

“What makes a community care about its history enough to preserve it, market it and let people know about it?” she asked.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2862, pvarine@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MurrysvilleStar.