Westmoreland Historical Society plans day trip to museums

The Westmoreland Historical Society will sponsor a bus trip from Greensburg to the Fort Pitt Museum, Fort Pitt Blockhouse and the Senator John Heinz History Center, all in Pittsburgh, on April 4.

Guided tours of the Fort Pitt Museum will include the exhibit “Pittsburgh, Virginia,” detailing how the city almost became part of another state. The exhibit focuses on the colonies of Pennsylvania and Virginia fighting for control of Pittsburgh in 1774, while Lord Dunmore’s War put the fate of the Ohio Country and all of its inhabitants at stake.

The exhibit includes artifacts excavated at Hanna’s Town, then Westmoreland County’s seat of government.

A second tour, of the museum’s permanent galleries, will highlight the broader history of the western Pennsylvania back country in the mid-18th century. Included are audio-visual presentations covering both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, dioramas of the earliest forts at the Point, and numerous artifacts painting a picture of war, trade, adventure and diplomacy on the 18th century frontier.

Also included is the Rattlesnake Flag created during the Revolutionary War for the Westmoreland County militia, featured on today’s official county flag.

Visitors will tour the Blockhouse, the oldest extant structure in western Pennsylvania. Originally constructed in 1764, it is the only surviving structure left of Fort Pitt.

Lunch break and shopping

Lunch at Church Brew Works is included in the tour, and will feature an informative talk about the renovated Lawrenceville church’s history.

At the Heinz History Center, visitors will have free time to explore the museum’s six floors of exhibits highlighting western Pennsylvania’s history. The latest exhibit, “The Smithsonian’s Portraits of Pittsburgh: Works from the National Portrait Gallery,” features original paintings, sketches, and prints that showcase notable Americans with Pittsburgh connections.

Additional exhibits interpret topics including the French and Indian War, Lewis and Clark, From Slavery to Freedom, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Pittsburgh sports, regional industries, transportation and the museum’s Visible Collections Storage.

Visit includes shopping at the center’s Vintage Pittsburgh market and the museums’ shops.

Cost is $80.

Reservations due by March 4.

Details: 724-836-1800, ext. 100