Jan 30, 2011 By Carla Destefano 2 min read

Nearly 90 people attended a birthday celebration Saturday that honored a man who served his country for more than seven decades. The National Park Service and the Friendship Hill Association commemorated Albert Gallatin’s 250th birthday with a reception at Friendship Hill National Historic Site, Gallatin’s country estate, along Route 166 between Point Marion and New Geneva.

Having served as Secretary of Treasury for presidents Jefferson and Madison, Gallatin’s other notable accomplishments include arranging financing for the Louisiana Purchase, negotiating trade and land treaties with Great Britain and signing the treaty to end the War of 1812. He also was instrumental in reducing the national debt.

During the event Saturday, guests were invited to take self-guided tours of Gallatin’s home and to visit with Albert and his wife Hannah Gallatin, portrayed by volunteers John and Dorothy Gruskowski.

The event was highlighted by winning artwork created by fifth-grade students from the Albert Gallatin School District. Portraits of Gallatin and other memorable moments of his life were featured in collages, paintings and pencil drawings.

According to Friendship Hill volunteer Rebecca Burgess, who helped coordinate the art contest with the elementary schools, the project allowed the students to identify with an historic figure close to home.

“This is their history. He is their man,” she said. “They are very lucky to have someone this well-known as part of their history, and they should have a knowledge about it.”

Four students from each of the elementary schools were honored with first-, second- and third-place finishes as well as an honorable mention. The grand-prize winner, Jesse Walters of Masontown Elementary, will receive a $100 savings bond for the winning entry of Gallatin’s portrait.

Guests were also treated to a musical performance by Duex Sons, “Two Sounds,” who provided period music in honor of the celebration. Evan Kovach, flute, and Drew Mckenzie, bassoon, played selections from Barvinsky, Bach, Miaskovsky and more.

Mckenzie, now a pharmacy assistant, and Kovach began performing together five years ago after they met at the Carmichaels High School, where Kovach is a literature teacher and Mckenzie was a student.

The Friendship Hill Association provided a cake for the event, and bookmarks made by Burgess were offered free of charge.

Beth Reseter, president of the Friendship Hill Association, said the reception was the kickoff to several events planned this year in honor of Gallatin’s birthday.