West Overton Museums in East Huntingdon Township will come alive with activity this weekend for the third in a series of events related to its history and heritage in the production of whiskey.
"At the beginning of this year, I began to emphasize the importance of that history into everything we do at West Overton, which also included the development of museum exhibits that highlight this very important part," said Chris Kline, executive director of the museum.
As part of that commitment, West Overton is now a stop on the American Whiskey Trail.
The idea for the celebration of rye whiskey production in southwestern Pennsylvania came about from a suggestion from a man who lives in Virginia that has a huge interest in the importance of whiskey production in this area.
"This is our heritage as a region and it is really important to understand how our regional heritage has contributed to our nation's history," Kline said. "The production of whiskey in southwestern Pennsylvania was an important industry in the early 1800s and was something that really drove the local economies."
The Whiskey Rebellion also occurred locally.
"As a historic site, it is important that we not only preserve our heritage but we do things to promote it," Kline said.
"This weekend will have something for everybody including music and lectures on many different aspects about the history of rye whiskey production in southwestern Pennsylvania, including the whiskey rebellion," Kline said.
The museum will also have various displays from the West Overton Distillery and the Dillinger Distillery, which was located in Ruffsdale.
"It is so important for everybody to have an understanding of where we came from as a region," Kline said. "Without understanding rye whiskey production in the area, you really can't. We need to celebrate that history and should realize how fortunate we are that so much of that history has been preserved and passed on, both inside and outside of West Overton.
The event will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Friday with a meet and greet in the distillery room followed by musical entertainment by the NewLanders and refreshments provided by Carson's Catering.
Additional Information:Saturday's Schedule
⢠8 am.: Registration, coffee and donuts
⢠9 a.m.: Opening remarks by Christopher Kline, executive director of West Overton Museums
⢠9:15 a.m.: 'The Importance of Whiskey in Western Pennsylvania' and 'How the Tax on Distilled Spirits Led to the Whiskey Rebellion,' by Clay Kilgore, historical director of the David Bradford House
⢠10 a.m.: 'The Whiskey Rebellion: Shots, Incidents, and Effects,' presented by Jim Willison, former president of the Oliver Miller Homestead Associates
⢠10:45 a.m.: 'Whiskey Production at West Overton,' presented by Kline
⢠Noon: Lunch by Carson's Catering
⢠1 p.m.: 'The Dillinger Distillery at Ruffsdale and Its Significance in American Distilling,' by Sam Komlenic, Pennsylvania Distillery Historian, copy editor of Malt Advocate Magazine
⢠1:45 p.m.: 'The Overholt Distillery at Broadford,' by Kline
⢠2:30 p.m.: 'Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries, the First New Distillery in Western PA Since Prohibition,' presented by Prentiss Orr, partner/founder Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries
⢠3:15 p.m.: Closing remarks by Kline
⢠3:30 p.m.: Tour of West Overton Distillery Building
⢠4 p.m.: Distilled Spirits Tasting presented by Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries
