Westmoreland Historical Society hosts open house for potential volunteers

The Westmoreland Historical Society is looking for volunteers and is inviting those who may be interested in helping out to attend an open house at the society’s headquarters, at Historic Hanna’s Town in Hempfield.

The session is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 29 in the History Education Center, 809 Forbes Trail Road. Attendees will learn about the nonprofit society and activities it has planned this year while exploring ways they can volunteer.

Education Coordinator Pam Curtin notes that society volunteers, while sharing their skills with others, will have the opportunity to learn new ones.

Volunteers may work with the public — helping at the society’s gift shop or greeting visitors. Or, they may conduct guided tours of the Hanna’s Town site, where log buildings have been recreated or relocated to portray the first Westmoreland County seat — founded in 1773 and destroyed in 1782, in one of the last conflicts of the Revolutionary War. The settlement also was home to the first English courts west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Other volunteers are needed to work behind the scenes, helping with such tasks as shelving books in the society’s Calvin E. Pollins Memorial Library, setting up for events, tending gardens or assisting with basic maintenance of the grounds and trails.

The society welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, including students, teachers, retirees and history enthusiasts. Hours are flexible, and training will be provided at a later date.

Society board members in December recognized volunteers at a Dinner For Eight event in the Historic Hanna’s Town tavern.

Those interested in volunteering with the society also may apply online at westmorelandhistory.org/get-involved or by calling Curtin at 723-836-1800, ext. 212.