Maintaining the historic stables at Hartwood Acres in Indiana Township takes hard work, but volunteers say it's more of a pleasure.
Friends of Hartwood, a volunteer group trying to upgrade the stable complex at the Allegheny County park, is hosting a concert on Wednesday, Aug. 14, to raise money for ongoing projects.
Cue Ball, with its mix of Irish and blues music, will perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Hemlock Court, behind the mansion.
“Growing up in O'Hara, we use to horseback ride through Hartwood, and I loved it,” said Allison Burgan, Friends of Hartwood council chairwoman.
“When my husband and I moved to Dorseyville, I started using the park on a regular basis and found all its hidden treasures like the stables, the barn, the dog cemetery and even the horse cemetery.”
She learned more about original owners John and Mary Lawrence, the 1929 Tudor-style mansion and the horse shows and hunts on the property. “I fall in love with it even more every time I'm up there,” Burgan said.
Suggested donation for the concert is $5 per person. Children and leashed pets are admitted free. Refreshments will be sold.
The annual concert series “Hemlock Groove” helps raise money for repairs at the stables, part of the 629-acre park that also includes the mansion, walking trails and gate lodge.
“With so much attention to the park and the mansion, the stables have taken a back seat,” Burgan said. “We are trying to raise money to help restore it, make it part of the (mansion) tour and a possible rental for parties.”
Money raised at the concert series augments the county budget, which is spread across nine parks.
“There is so much work to be done that it is never ending,” Burgan said, adding that there is no set goal for fundraising. “Our work is never done and there is never enough money.”
Volunteer Bob Vishneski said time and weather continually take a toll, most noticeably on the roof, gutters, plaster walls and doors.
Burgan said the small group has raised $20,000 and has been able to fix the stable doors, and strip and repaint the wrought iron. They've donated $4,000 to help repair the mansion organ.
Next, they plan to help restore the park sculptures and add an educational element to them, she said.
Friends of Hartwood was founded in 2003 to preserve the park's amenities. Burgan said particular interest is paid to the stables but the aim is to protect the entire park, sold to the county in 1969 by the Lawrence family.
Vishneski said that legacy is worth protecting, aside from the park's status as gem of the county system.
“The Lawrence family and their estate are part of Pittsburgh's rich heritage,” Vishneski said. “They played a significant role in the community with volunteer efforts, philanthropy, politics and social causes, as well as serving our nation in both world wars.”
Vishneski said volunteers donate time to park upgrades because they are protective of that piece of history.
“Each of us is committed to ensuring that the historic architecture and grounds maintain their integrity and beauty,” he said.
Friends of Hartwood also hosts a fall fundraiser, Hartwood Fest, which is in its fifth year and is scheduled Oct. 12 at the stables. Another show by Cue Ball, hayrides and a bonfire are planned. For information, call 412-767-9200.
Tawnya Panizzi is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, or tpanizzi@tribweb.com.
