Burtner House hosting annual Strawberry Festival in Harrison

If you missed the strawberries in Cheswick, or just can’t get enough, there’s another opportunity coming up.

The Burtner House will hold its annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 15.

The festival is one of the major fundraisers supporting the historic landmark in Harrison. It will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Running the house is costly,” said Jeff Jones, president of the Burtner House Restoration Society.

Harrison agreeing to cut the grass at the property has helped.

“But the majority of our annual budget comes from the Strawberry Festival and Harvest Festival proceeds,” Jones said. “So we ask that our guests come out and enjoy themselves.”

Admission cost is $5 for adults; $2 for children ages 8-17; and free for children under 8.

Strawberry shortcake with ice cream will cost $5. Food will also be available in the summer kitchen, and there will be a bake sale and local honey for sale.

Attendees will be able to tour the stone house, built in 1821. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the same year the society formed to save the house from being demolished to make way for the Route 28 expressway.

There will also be an Abraham Lincoln impersonator, Civil War reenacting groups, an authentic Plains Indian teepee, crafters and local authors Bill Davis and George Guido.

Burtner House memorabilia and local books will be for sale.

“Our spinner will also be back for demonstrations in spinning wool into yarn on the back porch,” Jones said.

The Burtner House will mark its 200th anniversary in 2021.

The main roof was recently replaced at a cost of $31,000, Jones said.

“This will complete the replacement of all of the roofs on the house and outbuildings,” he said.

The society has gained volunteers since a Trib story in February outlined its struggles.

“It takes many volunteers to put this festival on, and for the first time in many years we have several new volunteers who will get their first taste of taking care of our guests’ questions and needs,” he said.