Program: Hanna’s Town Resolves Mini Drama & History Talk! With Dr. William Baran

Location:  Historic Hanna’s Town

Address:  809 Forbes Trail Rd. Greensburg PA, 15601.

Date: Saturday, May 20th

Time: (Mini Drama) 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. | (History Talk) 11:00 a.m.

Program fee: Regular Admission

Join us for an eventful day on Saturday, May 20th at Historic Hanna’s Town!

Enjoy a mini-drama production on the Hanna’s Town Resolves at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. by actors from the Freeport Theatre. This short performance follows the story of drafting the Hanna’s Town Resolves in May of 1775.

The Hanna’s Town Resolves protested the injustices of the British Parliament while remaining loyal to George III, the English monarch. They did, however, resolve to resist acts like those seen in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, in April 1775. The citizens of Westmoreland voiced their opposition to the actions and policies of Parliament by drafting and approving the Hanna’s Town Resolves on May 16, 1775. They declared a willingness to fight to protect their rights and called for the formation of a county militia to defend the region.

You can also join us at 11:00 a.m. for a presentation inside the Westmoreland History Education Center by Dr. William Baran. He will discuss some of Derry Township’s original settlers including a teenage Frontier Ranger named Robert Barr. Some topics and questions of discussion will include:

  • Where did the original settlers come from?
  • What historical events had they been involved with?
  • Why did they move to the frontier at early ages?
  • Was John Wayne there?
  • What nationality and religion were they?
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Dr. Baran has a Ph.D. in Food Science from Michigan State University. He enjoys genealogy and has been working on his own and his wife’s families since the late 70s. His topics are a result of those studies.

Visit us for a guided tour, explore our new exhibit, and enjoy a bit of historical discussion and drama!

Guided tours of Historic Hanna’s Town will be offered on weekends in May and Wednesdays-Sundays starting in June. Please visit our website for detailed hours of operation and tour schedule. www.westmorelandhistory.org

About Historic Hanna’s Town

Historic Hanna's Town preserves and interprets the history of the first Westmoreland County seat of government, established in 1773, which hosted the first English courts west of the Allegheny Mountains. Hanna’s Town was home to frontier settlers, hosted travelers along the Forbes Road, and served as a recruitment center during the Revolutionary War. The historic site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is collaboratively maintained by the Westmoreland Historical Society and Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation. As a county park, the grounds of Historic Hanna’s Town, which include walking paths, gardens, and interpretive waysides, are accessible daily.

About the Westmoreland Historical Society

Founded in 1908, the Westmoreland Historical Society is an educational organization dedicated to acquiring and managing resources related to the history of Westmoreland County and using these resources to encourage a diverse audience to make connections to the past, develop an understanding of the present, and provide direction for the future. 

For more information, please call us at 724-836-1800 or visit our website, www.westmorelandhistory.org. For updates about programs and events, follow us on Facebook, and on Twitter @WCHistory, and on Instagram @WestmorelandHistory.

For more information, please call 724-836-1800 or visit our website, www.westmorelandhistory.org