Take A Hike With George Washington

Take a Hike With George Washington

This Thanksgiving vacation take a hike and meet the father of our country. Visit the Old Stone House and join one of the guided hikes to learn about Washington's historic travels through Butler County in 1753. Re-enactors will play the role of Washington and his guide, Christopher Gist.

Where: The Old Stone House, 5 miles south of Slippery Rock, at the junction of Highway 173 and Route 8.

When: Saturday November 27th. Doors open 9:30 a.m. Hikes take place on the hour.

Cost: Admission is $5 per person, $12 per family.

Reservations: Reserve a hiking time by calling Jennifer Melnick at Slippery Rock University, 724-738-4964.

More info? Call Rod Gasch 724-290-2129




TAKE A HIKE WITH
WASHINGTON ON NOV. 27
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — How about a walk in the woods with the father of our country? You can do just that on Saturday morning, Nov. 27 -- enjoy fresh air and great scenery while commemorating George Washington’s travels through Butler Country in 1753.
The hike, sponsored by Historic Harmony’s Harmony Museum, Slippery Rock University’s Old Stone House and Washington’s Trail 1753, starts and ends at the Old Stone House, a restored 18th century stage coach inn five miles south of Slippery Rock and 12 miles north of Butler at the junction of Pa. Routes 8, 528 and 173. Plenty of parking is available.
Back in November 1753, Washington was a 21-year-old volunteer newly commissioned a major by Virginia Lt. Gov. Robert Dinwiddie. He traveled through Pennsylvania Indian country carrying Dinwiddie’s ultimatum demanding withdrawal of the French then building forts on land claimed by England and the Virginia Colony. The French response: the British should stay out of from New France. That ultimatum delivered by Washington, and the military intelligence he obtained during his mission, were instrumental in starting the French and Indian War in southwest Pennsylvania the following spring and summer of 1754.
Besides the 45 minute hike, this year’s commemoration includes refreshments, touring the historic Old Stone House, and a chance to discuss the mission with the young Washington and his frontiersman guide Christopher Gist -- re-enactors Brian Cunning of Washington, Pa. and Rich Baker of Claysville, Pa. The Old Stone House opens at 9:30 a.m., with guided hikes planned for 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Leading each hike will be a Slippery Rock University history student who will read from the journals of Washington and Gist and explain the significance of Washington’s sometimes hazardous journey.
To reserve a hiking slot, call Jennifer Melnick at Slippery Rock University, 724-738-4964. Admission is $5 per person, $12 per family. Each hiking group will be limited in size, so event organizers recommend strongly that participants reserve their start times. The hike will cover about a mile of rocky terrain that is close by the original Venango Path followed in part by Washington. Hikers are advised to wear appropriate footwear as well as clothing suitable for the day’s weather conditions.

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11/2/2010
CONTACTS:
John Ruch, Harmony Museum, 724-452-7341
Hike Volunteer Rod Gasch, 724-290-2129