Hanna's Town education center, historic site welcome back public; antiques market slated

The Westmoreland Historical Society is reopening its education center Friday, with new health safeguards in place.

Guided tours are set to resume Saturday at the society-operated Historic Hanna’s Town site — a re-creation of the county’s first seat of government and court proceedings, dating from 1773.

The popular antiques and collectibles market will be back at 809 Forbes Trail Road in Hempfield beginning June 14. Additional dates are July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 13 and Oct. 11.Hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Health and safety guidelines in place at the market, as a precaution during the covid-19 pandemic, will include social distancing, one-way aisles, encouraging use of face masks and using hand sanitizer, which will be available in portable toilets.

The education center is open 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays. It includes a research library, a museum gift shop and exhibitions in the Kendra Gallery.

The gallery is featuring “Everything and the Kitchen Sink: Gems of the Collection,” which highlights notable items from the society’s collection.

The non-circulating Calvin E. Pollins Memorial Library contains more than 5,000 historical reference books, genealogical records and other documents of local interest.

Most museum shop items, excluding consignments, are on sale at a 20% discount. A discount of 40% applies to spring and Easter merchandise, while Christmas and Valentine’s Day items are marked down 70%.

In June, Historic Hanna’s Town will be open for tours beginning at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays. The site includes the reconstructed Hanna’s Tavern, several relocated log houses, a reconstructed Revolutionary War-era fort and a late 18th-century Conestoga wagon.

The site is gaining an additional log house, about 200 years old, that was relocated from Pleasant Valley Road in Hempfield.

Visitors are encouraged to make reservations for tours and use of the library and to pre-pay admissions by calling 724-836-1800, ext. 200.

There is a limit of eight people per tour and, in line with health guidelines, a maximum of eight people at a time permitted in the library and the Kendra Gallery. The museum shop will be limited to six people. Visitors will have their temperatures checked and will be asked to use hand sanitizer when they arrive.

Except for children age 5 or younger and those with medical issues, face coverings will be required for visitors, staff and volunteers while inside society facilities. All are asked to stay at least 6 feet away from others.

Tours and library access are free for society members, children age 5 or younger and Blue Star active military members. There is a fee of $8 for adults and $6 for students, senior citizens and AAA members, according to the society’s website.

Antiques market admission is $3 per car.

Visit westmorelandhistory.org for more information.