Westmoreland Speaks: Irish Presbyterians and the Shaping of Western Pennsylvania, 1770-1830 with Dr. Peter Gilmore

Learn to sew with Jessica Young of Penny River Costumes!

You will learn about a dozen historical hand sewing stitches and make sample swatches that get assembled into a reference book! Jessica will help guide you through each stitch and provide you with all the materials you’ll need.

This workshop includes:

• Fabric and sewing materials
• Access to “Cut from the Same Cloth” Exhibit Gallery
• Creation of a unique accessory made by you!

$55 for Members | $65 for Non-Members

Spots are limited. Register here: https://westmorelandhistory.org/event-directory/historical-hand-sewing-workshop-with-penny-river-costumes-registration/

Jessica Young is the owner/operator of Penny River LLC, a company that specializes in making and teaching about 18th century clothing and accessories.  A graduate of the University of Richmond with degrees in theatre/costuming and history, Jessica has worked for Colonial Williamsburg as a costumer, and Carnegie Mellon University’s drama department.  Through Penny River, she has made garments for a number of museums, theaters, films, and television series, including Outlander and Bridgerton.

Join us as we celebrate Flag Day and pay tribute to the American flag, an enduring symbol of freedom, unity, and national pride. Here you can learn about the origin of the Rattlesnake Flag and what the flag represented. Our site and buildings will be open and kids can color and design their own flag!

Our Exhibit Gallery and Museum Gift Shop will be open throughout the day.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations are always appreciated!

Food provided by Zeus BBQ and Underdogz.

Let’s snack and chat about the various preservation methods we can use for your favorite mushrooms and foraged finds! We will also DIY your very own mushroom spice rub. Perfect for grilling season!

Historic Hanna’s Town is a beautiful and quiet Westmoreland County park. While we do work to preserve our historic built environment on site, we are also dedicated to preserving our natural environment through demonstration gardens, native plant restoration, and developing walking trails.

More details and registration link to come!

Registration Required. $10 for non-members | $8 for members

Flannel Roots is an LGBTQIA+ owned regenerative agricultural business that was founded in 2021, rooted in a deep commitment to sustainability and community education. The founders, Brittany and Jill, bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, each contributing unique skills that enhance their mission. Both Brittany and Jill are certified by Mushroom Mountain and hold qualifications in Edible Mushroom Safety Identification, allowing them to safely forage and sell mushrooms. Their main passion lies in exploring the permaculture uses of fungi within ecosystems, and they actively engage in educational pop-ups and workshops.

Learn about the art of spinning! See how early settlers worked to spin fabrics into a thread and explore our textile exhibit! Our site and buildings will be open for exploration.

Our Exhibit Gallery and Museum Gift Shop will be open throughout the day.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations are always appreciated!

Did you know about the historic presence of Irish Presbyterians in our region? Join Dr. Peter Gilmore for our second installment of Westmoreland Speaks! for a discussion of his book Irish Presbyterians and the Shaping of Western Pennsylvania, 1770-1830. In this historical study, Gilmore will discuss the major themes of his book and examine and religious culture of Irish immigrants in the early years of America, and with specific reference to Westmoreland County.

A book signing will follow. Books will be available to purchase in the Museum Gift Shop.

Click to Register!

Members: $10

Non-Members: $12

Students & Seniors: $8

About the Speaker:

Peter Gilmore writes extensively on Ulster Presbyterian immigration to North America. He is the author of Irish Presbyterians and the Shaping of Western Pennsylvania, 1770-1830 (Pittsburgh, 2018), and a principal author of Exiles of ʾ98: Ulster Presbyterians in the United States (Belfast, 2018). Dr. Gilmore contributed to widely acclaimed The Routledge History of Irish America (New York/London, 2024) with the chapter “Ulster Presbyterians and the Development of a ‘Scotch-Irish’ Identity.’” He is currently an adjunct professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville and frequently teaches for the University of Pittsburgh’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.