New start
Historical society receives building Fayette County has a rich history, and thanks to a pair of generous residents, that history has a new home.
Virginia and Warren Dick of Smithfield recently donated a two-story, red-brick home with 10 rooms to the Fayette County Historical Society. Virginia Dick said she made the donation in honor of her parents, Frank and Sue Dulik.
The historic building, which will serve as the historical society’s headquarters and eventually as a museum and library, is located on Route 40 in Menallen Township about a mile west of Searights Tollhouse.
The Dicks deserve to be commended for the generous gift, which we believe will benefit not only the historical society, but the county as a whole. Having a headquarters and countywide museum will only serve to benefit tourism and tourism efforts in the area.
Chris Buckelew, vice president of the historical society said the building represents “a new beginning for the historical society.” We couldn’t agree more.
Appropriately the building, located next to Route 40 Diner, was constructed in the early 19th century and once operated as the Abel Colley Tavern. The National Register lists the Abel Colley Tavern as historically significant for its architecture and engineering. Its area of significance is commerce and architecture. Its architectural style is listed as Greek Revival.
More importantly the structure is in move-in condition and will allow the society to set up shop quickly.
While there are many local museums already in existence, this will be a countywide facility that will include areas and information not covered at current sites.
Gaining the new building comes at a good time for the historical society. In the past several years, the historical society has affiliated itself with the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, Small Museums Association, Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Organizations, National Road Heritage Corridor, Fayette Chamber of Commerce through its tourism alliance, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations.
It’s all good and while we’re in debt to the Dicks for donating the house, credit must also be given to Jeremy Burnworth, president of the Fayette County Historical Society. He has worked tirelessly to find such a facility.
Thanks to efforts by Burnworth and many others, Fayette County’s rich history will be now be preserved for many generations to come.