18th Century Revival – History comes to life at Oliver Miller Homestead
By Sarah Mervosh
Threatening storm clouds on her wedding day might seem like a bride's worst nightmare but Sarah Olesky of South Park wasn't fazed by the raindrops that fell as she recited her vows.After all, it would be difficult to ruin a marriage that happened more than 200 years ago.
This summer Olesky and Max Hancsak reenacted a wedding at the Oliver Miller Homestead in South Park that had taken place in the same location in 1787.
The reenactment is one of just many demonstrations and activities held at the homestead to educate the public about life during the 18th century.
"Every time we come it's such an interesting program," Pam Waigand of Castle Shannon said. "It's better than reading a book. To think that it's right there in South Park. It makes history on your doorstep. It doesn't seem so far-fetched and so removed."
The Oliver Miller Homestead was a site of the Whiskey Rebellion in the early 1790s and was still in good shape when Allegheny County bought the property in 1927. The Stone Manse was declared a national historic site and opened to the public in 1934. It now serves as a living museum to where Oliver Miller and his family once lived.
"It's a love of history and a love of the American values," said publicity director Paula Bowman. "The virtues, the values, the hard work ethic that these people displayed is something we don't want to lose."
Today, the property is run mostly by the all-volunteer organization, Oliver Miller Homestead Associates, formed in 1973. More than 50 active members give up their weekends to put on events, give tours of the house and keep the grounds clean.
"We all just love the 18th century," said volunteer Lynette Sell. "You'd have to to give up every weekend."
Miller and his family were one of the first settlers in the South Hills area when they arrived in 1772. In 1830, the original log cabin was replaced by the stone house that exists today.
"I think the hardest thing for people to realize is that it was a wilderness when they came here. There might have been a few cleared fields but really nothing," Bowman said. "It would have all been wilderness but they established a homestead."
The area was a farming community and each family had 600-700 acres, Bowman said.
"They didn't live close to each other but they, at that time period, were walkers. And they would get together when they could," she said.
Families would gather to help with tasks like slaughtering animals or harvesting crops or for celebrations like weddings and church services. Before there were churches in the area, the Millers hosted these services at their home. Local churches, including Bethel Presbyterian Church and Lebanon Presbyterian Church, were formed from the religious services held at the Miller's log cabin.
"When the minister was in town, the word would go out that he was there," Bowman said. "People would come from miles around."
The Miller home is particularly historical because the first shots of the Whiskey Rebellion were fired at the homestead. It was also located in the midst of Indian raids.
"This was an Indian hunting area and the Indians did not like the idea that people were settling here," Bowman said.
During Indian sightings, families would flee to nearby forts. According to Bowman, one of those was Couch's Fort from which Fort Couch Road was later named.
Bowman said that one Indian named Peter would warn the settlers of upcoming Indian raids.
"He, supposedly, was on very good terms with the white people," she said. "That's where we get Peters Creek and Peters Township."
The volunteers do their best to be as authentic as possible and, during demonstrations, dress in clothes which would have been worn in the 18th century. At that time, clothing was particularly valued as typically, people had only two outfits - one for every day wear and one for special occasions. Both were useful but not always comfortable.
"There's no shape to the clothes. They're kind of bulky," Ellen Samek of Bethel Park said, adding she feels five pounds lighter when she changes back into her regular clothes.
Olesky said her wedding dress was very uncomfortable.
"You can't bend in it," she said. "It was hot. I had four layers of clothing on."
In addition to looking the part, volunteers also cook food which would have been served during that time period like onion pie and cakes that would have kept for six months.
Ellen Rosen of Mt. Lebanon baked a wedding cake for the reenactment using the original recipe which called for molasses, brandy and fruit peels instead of sugar. She only diverted to modern appliances when the recipe indicated whipping the egg whites for three and a half hours.
Icing the cake in meringue meant it would have stayed edible for months.
"Nothing that they made back then is as sweet as we have it now," she said.
The homestead is open every Sunday through the second Sunday in December. When no special events are planned, there are often hands-on crafts. Volunteers are always nearby to share information about the house.
"I always tell people, if you want some fun, come to a special event Sunday and if you want to learn the history, come on an off Sunday where we can give you more one-on-one," Bowman said.