MOUNT PLEASANT — The village of Mount Pleasant was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Because of Mount Pleasant’s anti-slavery activities and its participation in the Underground Railroad, the village received the National Historic Landmark District designation in 2005. The United States Secretary of the Interior proclaimed village “to possess national significance in the history of the United States.” It is among the most intact historic districts, with over 40 antebellum houses still standing.

Open to tour this year will be the Elizabeth House Mansion Museum (1835), the Burriss-Fairlawn Store (1905), the Historical Center (1856), the Tin Shop (1840), the Harris/Bone Store and Residence (1804-1835), the Quaker Yearly Meeting House (1814), the Samuel Gill House (1846), the Evangelical Friends Church (1856) and the Humphreville Log House (1806).

Built in 1835, the John W. Gill House, also known as the Elizabeth House, reflects the prosperity of businessman John Gill who in 1841 established a successful silk mill in Mount Pleasant. A cocoonery featuring his patented silkworm feeding system was located on the rear of his lot. Gill and his mill moved to Center Wheeling in 1845.

Today this home houses items from the collection of the historical society. These artifacts have been donated to the society during its nearly 75 years of existence.

The Burriss Store operated from 1895 until 1970, providing groceries and household items to village residents. Its recently renovated interior displays the store as it was in its prime heyday. The original store shelves display products categorized by dates throughout the store’s operating years.

The Tin Shop features original equipment dating to the Civil War. With these tools, tinsmiths have created quality handcrafted metal work since 1840.

Hank Lutton, curator of the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, will be on hand at the historical center to discuss the society’s collection of American Indian points. Lutton has served as archeologist on projects for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, James River Institute, and the York County Historical Museum in Yorktown, Va. The center also will have items from the Free Labor Store, the Gill Silk Mill and photographer Walter Hussey on display.

The Harris/Bone log cabin is the oldest structure in Mount Pleasant. Enoch Harris operated a store there until 1844. The log cabin later served as a general store for more than 50 years by Pickney Lewis Bone, well known for his service as a drummer boy during the civil war. Don Feenerty of Unified Bank will present “Money Now and Then,” a fun and educational journey in fiscal literacy comparing the financial issues of 1804 Mount Pleasant to today’s financial situation. Feenerty will discuss how credit was used in the Harris-Bone General Store and how it is not all that different today. Show times will be at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. “Money Now and Then” is sponsored by Unified Bank.

The Quaker Yearly Meeting House State Memorial, owned by the Ohio History Connection, was and still is an architectural marvel for its day. It features a 60-foot partition wall that was raised and lowered by four men turning a series of cogwheels called a windlass located in the third floor attic. This 60-foot-by-90-foot three-story building is capable of seating 2,000 people. This Yearly Meeting House was the first built west of the Alleghenies. Jacob Ong was the principal architect and builder. Ong’s wooden tool chest is on display there.

The Samuel Gill House was purchased and restored by the Mount Pleasant Evangelical Friends Church to be used for local and global missions and Bible studies. This two-story, 13-room home is open to tour patrons. On Saturday and Sunday, homemade meals are available in the Gill House Tea Room to both tour participants and the public.

Next door, the church will be open for tour guests to view the Quaker simplicity of the sanctuary. This church’s beginning is rooted in the same Religious Society of Friends who settled in Ohio more than 200 years ago and built the 1814 Yearly Meeting House. Some of the present church elders are descendants of these Quaker families.

The newly restored 1806 two-story log house in the village will be the site of an exhibit on the Underground Railroad and the African American experience. Kristina Estl, director of the Underground Railroad Museum in Flushing, will present an exhibit of artifacts from the museum at 11 .m. Saturday. The museum was founded in 1993 by the late John S. and Rosalind Mattox with the goal of preserving the past for future generations. Following in Mattox’s footsteps, Kristina has a wealth of information about the Underground Railroad and its connection to the Ohio Valley.

The Mount Pleasant High School alumni reunion will be held the same weekend.

This two-day event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets will be available at the Elizabeth House. Children 14 years old and younger will be admitted at no charge with a paying adult. Tour updates can be found on Facebook “Friends of Historic Mt. Pleasant, Ohio;” by calling (800) 752-2631; or by sending an e-mail to hsmtp@mtp1803.org.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

CHESTER — A horse participating in a race at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort last week had to be ...

WASHINGTON — Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s views remained a mystery Monday as party leaders eyed votes later ...

WASHINGTON — Five weeks ago, senior Biden administration aides gathered for their regular Thursday morning ...

MOUNT PLEASANT — The village of Mount Pleasant was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. ...

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Copyright © The Herald Star | https://www.heraldstaronline.com | 401 Herald Square , Steubenville, OH 43952 | 740-283-4711