Historic Hanna's Town opens its historic grounds for the season

A love of local history shone as bright as the sun Saturday through a couple dozen volunteers who imparted their deep knowledge to anyone who would listen at Historic Hanna’s Town.

Dick Sheats of Fairfield had several stories about the authentic late 18th century Conestoga wagon.

Malori Stevenson of North Huntingdon sat at an enormous wooden loom to demonstrate the last step in making linen fabric.

Amber Larson of Hempfield knew all about the attire settlers would have worn in the early days of Westmoreland County.

Scott Hill of Tarrs rattled off details about the captain’s quarters at the site, established in 1773 — 250 years ago — as the first county seat of government.

“We couldn’t do what we do without the volunteers,” said Lisa Hays, executive director of the Westmoreland Historical Society.

Now a county park and historic site, Hanna’s Town in Hempfield celebrated its opening day of the season Saturday with living history displays and artifacts.

The site consists of several log structures, a fortress and an education building. Master gardeners take care of gardens at the grounds.

Several families brought young children out to learn about what life was like in the 18th century. They were met with well-versed volunteers whose love of local history was evident.

Society volunteer and education coordinator Lara Bromyard said some have been around for just a year or two, but many have been volunteering with the organization much longer.

“It’s literally the backbone of this place,” she said. “They all love this place. They are just really attached to it.”

But finding new volunteers can be hard; it’s an issue that has affected nonprofit groups across the country. The Associated Press reported in April that volunteerism in America has been on the decline for decades. A recent U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps survey showed that volunteerism dropped 7 percentage points between 2019 and 2021, and 23% of Americans volunteered at least once with a formal nonprofit in the previous year. It was the largest decrease recorded since a version of the survey began in 2002, according to the AP.

Bromyard found her spot Saturday showing off toys children would have played with in that era, including stilts, dolls and a hoop and stick.

Sheats said he drove by Historic Hanna’s Town often in the 1980s during his work commute.

“I always wondered what’s it about,” he said.

By 2001, retired and looking for something to fill his free time, Sheats was formally introduced.

“I find it fascinating,” he said.

Stevenson started with the society as an intern during college 15 years ago, and “they couldn’t get rid of me,” she said.

“I like history. I’ve always liked this place,” and the other volunteers have turned into friends, she said.

Larson is one of the newer volunteers, with just two years under her belt. She has focused her efforts on period clothing and gardening. Her love of history also drew her in.

The dedicated volunteers of Proctor’s Militia, a Revolutionary War reenactment unit, showed off items related to frontier and militia life in the 18th century. The militia then was one of the first military units formed west of the Allegheny Mountains and stood guard over the Westmoreland County frontier.

Hill said he has always enjoyed learning about history with a longtime friend and joined the group about five years ago. In addition to reenactments and events at Historic Hanna’s Town, members maintain their reconstructed fortress and the captain’s quarters building at the historic site, he said.

For more information on volunteering with the organization, visit westmorelandhistory.org/get-involved.