Murrysville history on display at society's annual festival

Native Americans living in what eventually became Western Pennsylvania did not waste much.

They did not waste wild game, frequently using all parts of the animals they hunted for some constructive or nourishing purpose. They did not waste space, growing gardens where the “Three Sisters” of pre-colonial America — corn, beans and squash — shared space and complemented each others’ growth.

And even after they shucked the corn, they did not waste the husks. Many of them were used to create corn husk dolls, a skill that members of the Murrysville Historical Preservation Society will show children at their annual festival on Sept. 21.

”They didn’t waste anything,” said MHPS Membership and Roots Coordinator Carol Intrieri of Murrysville, who was dressed in period-appropriate colonial-era clothing as she worked alongside Ena Bollinger, 10, also of Murrysville, to create a few of the corn husk dolls on Tuesday afternoon.

The society’s annual festival, set for 1-4 p.m. Sept. 21, will include chances to learn a wide variety of pioneer skills from bee-keeping to the use of herbs in colonial medicine, quill writing, corn grinding, butter churning and more.

Children will also have a chance to experience a typical day in a colonial-era schoolhouse with society member Suellen Watt serving as a traditional school-marm.

“I really love teaching kids the experiences from that era, and about the rich history that we have here in Murrysville,” Watt said. “It’s always a wonderful event for the whole family.”

The festival also gives attendees a chance to tour the historic Sampson/Clark Homestead. The building is the only remaining toll house left along the route of the former Northern Turnpike. It was built in 1784 and was renovated in 2010. Society members will also showcase the recently built replica of the former schoolhouse that was once on the property.

The festival is free and will be at 5332 West Pike Street in Murrysville. Parking is available nearby at Triangle Lane and Route 22, with a short walk to the festival grounds. For those with limited mobility, a small number of spaces are available along West Pike Street behind the schoolhouse.

For more, see MurrysvilleHistory.com.