Burtner House marks its 200th anniversary

History buffs, family descendants and others curious about one of Allegheny County’s five oldest homes flocked to Harrison on Saturday for the 200th anniversary of the Burtner House.

The three-story stone farmhouse off Route 28 was built in 1821. It housed four generations, with the last person living there until 1960.

“There’s a lot of history here,” said Jeff Jones, president of the Burtner House Restoration Society.

“People are always impressed that it’s kept up so well. You could move in here and live today — other than the fact that there’s no heat or running water.”

The home and its grounds are a significant part of Alle-Kiski Valley history. In the 1830s, the land housed the Negley Mill after it moved from Tarentum. The large farm was a polling place for President Andrew Jackson’s election, and town meetings were held there to plan the Pennsylvania Canal.

There are graves of veterans from four wars on the grounds.

In 1972, when construction of the Route 28 Expressway was underway, the Restoration Society successfully lobbied to have the expressway rerouted so the house didn’t have to be razed.

“It’s important that everyone knows the history of where we came from,” Jones said.

Volunteer Emily Borcz of Butler is a seventh-generation Burtner descendent. Dressed in a long skirt and bonnet, she guided people through the kitchen to show them a jelly cupboard made by Philip Burtner, wooden egg crates, adjustable candle sticks, cast iron pans and a pie safe.

A cradle made by Roy Burtner sits by the fire as it would have in the 19th century to keep the babies warm, Borcz said.

“The fireplace was their one and only appliance,” Borcz said. “It’s amazing to me to see my family history laid out in this house.”

She was one of several Burtner family members who attended the celebration. There were extended family who traveled from North Carolina, Indiana, Maryland and Massachusetts to honor their heritage.

More than 400 people attended the event, Jones said.

A dedication was followed by a bluegrass band, birthday cupcakes, raffles and food trucks. Special guest “Abe Lincoln” mingled with guests.

Volunteer Annette Orban of Cheswick showed people into the Spring House at the foot of the farm. It was cooled by the stream underneath and was used to store fruits, meats — and an occasional dead body, Orban said.

“People are usually surprised about that one,” Orban said.

Volunteer Judy Mackenroth gave spinning demonstrations on the back porch. She schooled visitors on the effort that life on the farm required.

“They only had about five sheep,” she said. “When girls turned 6, they started spinning the wool and the little boys would go out and work on the farm.

“They would recycle the fabric so much that you might be a teenager before you had your first set of new clothes. If an adult’s shirt ripped, you cut it down into a shirt for someone smaller.”

First-time visitor Dave Kuczynski of Natrona Heights said the visit made him think twice about all we take for granted today.

“This was before running water,” he said. “Just think about running outside in the middle of winter to use the bathroom.”

His wife, Bridget, said she was fascinated to glimpse into life so long ago.

“They worked so hard,” she said. “This is great that this place has been preserved.”