Group Tours

Bus tours and groups of 20+ are welcome to schedule a visit to Historic Hanna’s Town from May to mid-December.

The guided tour of Historic Hanna’s Town is approximately 60 – 90 minutes. Visitors explore Hanna’s Tavern, the Gaol, the stockade fort, and the unique stories of the American Revolution on the Pennsylvania frontier.

Additional activities and demonstrations covering topics related to local and regional history are approximately 30 – 45 minutes. Progam times are flexible depending on your group size and availability.

Our new Westmoreland History Education Center offers an exhibit gallery and museum shop, both included with your discounted group admission price.

Please contact our Director of Education with any questions or special requests: 723-836-1800 x212.

Guided Tour of Historic Hanna's Town Approx. 60 - 90 MIN

Approx. 60 - 90 MIN

Step back in time to the period of the Revolutionary War and follow a knowledgeable guide through the history of Hanna’s Town.

Discover the unique role of Hanna’s Town as the first seat of government for Westmoreland County and first English courts west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Tour Hanna’s Tavern to learn about the day-to-day lives of early Americans and how they engaged with broader social, cultural, economic, and political activities of their time. Hear stories of traveling along the Forbes Road, an early route west through Pennsylvania. Uncover the origins of American justice and the early county court system at the nearby gaol (jail) and pillory.

Explore the American Revolution on the Pennsylvania frontier at our reconstructed stockade fort, which played a pivotal role in the burning of Hanna’s Town in 1782.

Walk through our kitchen garden and learn how people in the 18th century cultivated native and introduced plants to survive on the frontier. Also see our pollinator garden where we are working to reintroduce native plants to Hanna’s Town.

See our authentic late 18th to early 19th century Conestoga Wagon and discover how the region grew and changed in the period after Hanna’s Town.

Activities & Demonstrations Approx. 30 - 45 MIN

Approx. 30 - 45 MIN

Each of these programs includes a presentation by a knowledgeable guide and a historical demonstration and/or hands-on activity.

Artifact Analysis

Much of what we know about Hanna’s Town comes from archaeological research, a unique resource recording how people lived on the frontier during the American Revolution. Investigate artifacts recovered at Hanna’s Town and help piece together the unique history our historic site.

Court Reenactment

Betrayal, theft, treason – all things that happened on the Pennsylvania frontier! Observe or take part in reenactments of actual court cases that took place at Hanna’s Town from 1773-1786, while discovering the origins of American justice and complexities of frontier life.

Historic Clothing and Textiles

Learn about 18th century frontier fashion and the year-long process of creating textiles, from collecting flax and wool to spinning and weaving. Includes displays of clothing, textile materials, and tools along with demonstrations of skills such as carding and spinning.

Long Rifle

Explore the development of the long rifle following the immigration of the German and Swiss to Eastern Pennsylvania. Learn how they made the rifling barrels, where black powder comes from, what they used for patching materials, char cloth for fire starting, and how lead was sourced to make ammunition for the rifles. Visitors are offered the opportunity to cast their own 'lead round ball' and cut a linen patch to take home.

Militia Demonstration

Get a more in-depth look at the Revolutionary War on the Pennsylvania frontier from a member of the county militia, established at Hanna's Town in 1775 with the writing of the Hanna's Town Resolves. Learn about the daily life of a militiaman, their training, and the gear they carried into battle. First-person narration, displays of historically accurate items, and musket demonstrations bring these stories to life.

Tin Punching

Craftsmen in early America used tin punch to decorate metal items, such as lanterns, footwarmers, and pie safe doors, to make them more attractive. Learn about this important craft and create a tin punched keepsake to hang in a window.

Westmoreland History Education Center

Visit to the Education Center is included with group admission.

Our new Westmoreland History Education Center, opened in 2019, invites visitors to explore the rich history of Westmoreland County and beyond.

The Education Center houses the Kendra Gallery, a changing exhibit space featuring artifacts, documents, artworks, and archaeological material that tell compelling stories of the area’s history. Guided or self-guided tours are available.

Visit the Westmoreland History Shop and browse a variety of carefully-selected gifts and keepsakes. Find history-inspired books for adults and children, vintage-style toys and games, jewelry, dishware, teas, baking mixes, jams, and home décor.

The Education Center is a handicap-accessible facility and has amenities such as air conditioning, heating, and modern restrooms.

Nearby Sites & Tour Itineraries

Continue exploring Westmoreland County and the Laurel Highlands with these exciting travel itineraries. Visit Historic Hanna’s Town along with other historic sites, museums, theaters, restaurants, wineries and breweries, overnight accommodations, and more!

Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau

Tour itineraries featuring Hanna’s Town along with other suggested activities, restaurants, and lodging.

Whiskey Rebellion Trail

How to Book

Thank you for your interest in scheduling a group visit to Historic Hanna’ Town! Each group visit is customized based on how on how much time you can spend at Hanna’s Town and the number of people in your group.

When you are ready to book, please have this information ready:

Please contact Lara Bromyard, Director of Education by phone at 724-836-1800 x212 or by e-mail at lara@westmorelandhistory.org.

Admission

Group Admission

Includes:
Guided Tour of Hanna’s Town
Exhibit Gallery
Museum Shop

$7 / Person

Add-Ons

Activities and Demonstrations

$50 / each

Have More Questions?

Whether you’re researching your roots or planning a visit, we’re happy to help. Reach out anytime.