2008 Programs at Woodville Plantation

Step back in time at Woodville Plantation, the home of John and Presley Neville, Western Pennsylvania's principal link to the late 18th century. See how Pittsburgh's wealthiest citizens lived during the period of 1780-1820-The Era of the New Republic. Admission at the site is $5 for Adults and $10 for families. (Children under 12 are admitted free.) The site is open every Sunday from May 1st through October 31st from 1 PM until 4PM. For directions and more information, please choose the Visit Us link from the menu below.

Download and print a copy of the 2008 Program Schedule

  • February 24 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Overseer

  • Learn about the lives of the men that managed and maintained the farm during the Nevilles' frequent absences.

  • March 23 - Easter Sunday Site is closed.

  • March 30 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Cook

  • Learn about the hectic life of one of the most essential members of the plantation and see how 18th century cooking differs from culinary arts today.

  • April 20 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Laundress

  • Discover the unique and interesting practices that are involved in washing the clothing for a large plantation and its inhabitants. Read more about laundry day in the 18th century here.

  • April 26 - Woodville 101: Taste of the 18th Century "Dine With the Nevilles"

  • Explore the distinctive culinary practices of the Woodville residents as you prepare, serve, cook and eat an 18th century meal, using original "receipts" from 1796. The day will culminate with dinner being served and eaten in the Cowan dining room. This working event will begin at 9 am and will conclude with dinner at the period correct hour of 2 pm. Please wear appropriate clothing for cooking over an open fire. Event is open to 6 people. Fee is $65 for nonmembers and $45 for members. Call 412.221.0348 to participate in this unique event.

  • May 11 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Native American

  • Often overlooked members of the rural community, Native Americans were vital, and often violent, neighbors to the Neville families. See a complete native encampment and visit with Ghost in the Head, a native of the local Huron tribe. No admission is charged for families during this special Mother's Day event.

  • May 18 - Above Stairs: A Behind the Scenes Look at Woodville

  • Visitors will be treated to a special tour of a rarely seen area of the plantation - above stairs at the main house. Visit the private rooms of the Neville and Cowan families and see the distinctive original painted checkerboard floor in A. Cowan's bedroom. Don't miss this rare look at the private lives of the Woodville residents.

  • June 1 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Chair Maker

  • Many of the items that were used and consumed on the plantation were made by skilled artisans that worked on the farm. See a Windsor Chair built "from scratch" by local artisan Dave Burke. Admission to the house and grounds is free.

  • June 25 - Woodville 101: 18th Century Decorative Arts "Preservation"

  • Join Jim Galbraith, historic preservation expert, as he covers the basics of preserving and restoring period houses. If your home is a turn-of-the-century Queen Anne or a 200-year-old cabin, Jim's experience will guide you through your preservation efforts and questions. Program begins at 7 pm in the still house visitor center. Fee is $10 for non-members and $5 for members.
    Download and print the registration form.

  • July 13 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Soldier

  • Join a soldier from Anthony Wayne's Fourth Sub Legion, one of the soldiers stationed at Fort Fayette in Pittsburgh in 1794. These were the troops sent to defend Bower Hill during the Whiskey Rebellion. Learn about a soldier's life in camp, and experience drilling and marching first-hand.

  • July 20 - Whiskey Rebellion Day -and- People of the Plantation: Meet the Cook

  • Join the troops of Anthony Wayne's Legion as they make camp at Woodville. Experience camp life and participate with the soldiers as they march and drill. Also learn about 18th century cooking techniques as the Woodville cooks prepare dinner for the encamped troops. Woodville also welcomes guest lecturer Dr. Paul Newman from the University of Pittsburgh, an expert on 18th century history. He will discuss "Pennsylvania's Other Rebellion" at 2 pm in the newly opened still house. Site will be open from noon to 5 pm. Admission for this special day is $2 per person.

    July 27 - A Delightful Recreation: Games of the New Republic

  • Join the people of the Woodville plantation as they enjoy a day of recreation. Learn about and participate in some unique games that have been lost to the ages, such as Nine Man Morris, Quoits, and stool Ball. spend the day and join in the fun.

    July 30 - Woodville 101: 18th Century Decorative Arts "Textiles"

  • Rob Windhorst, a representative from the English fabric company Lee Jofa, instructs students on the correct use of textiles in the period house. Learn about hand blocked fabrics, woven textiles, and historically accurate color schemes for use in historic houses. Program begins at 7 pm in the still house visitor center. Fee is $10 for non-members and $5 for members.
    Download and print the registration form.

    August 3 - Rare Breed Chickens at Woodville

  • Woodville welcomes its newest residents, the dominique chickens. After a 50-year absence from the farm, poultry returns to the plantation. Learn about the most common breed of chicken in the late 18th century, the dominique. These animals were valued for their adaptability and resistance to disease and climate, as far back as the first settlers at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

    August 27 - Woodville 101: 18th Century Decorative Arts "Paints"

  • Woodville welcomes Vicki Burton, expert on 18th century paint finishes and instructor at the Belmont College school of Preservation in Ohio. She will teach students about the correct use of historic paint colors and historic wall coverings. Program begins at 7 pm in the still house visitor center. Fee is $10 for non-members and $5 for members.
    Download and print the registration form.

    August 31 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Soldier

  • Join a soldier from Anthony Wayne's Fourth Sub Legion, one of the soldiers stationed at Fort Fayette in Pittsburgh in 1794. These were the troops sent to defend Bower Hill during the Whiskey Rebellion. Learn about a soldier's life in camp, and experience drilling and marching first-hand

  • September 7 - Above Stairs: A Behind the Scenes Look at Woodville

  • Visitors will be treated to a special tour of a rarely seen area of the Woodville Plantation - above stairs in the main house. Visit the private rooms of the Neville and Cowan families and see the distinctive original painted checkerboard floor in A. Cowan's bedroom. Don't miss this rare look into the private lives of the Woodville residents.

  • September 21 - Harvest Day -and- People of the Plantation: Meet the Gardener

  • Join the gardeners of the Woodville Plantation as they harvest the crops grown at the site during the summer growing season. Meet the head gardener and learn about 18th century crops, growing techniques, and tools.

    September 28 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Soldier

  • Join a soldier from Anthony Wayne's Fourth Sub Legion, one of the soldiers stationed at Fort Fayette in Pittsburgh in 1794. These were the troops sent to defend Bower Hill during the Whiskey Rebellion. Learn about a soldier's life in camp, and experience drilling and marching first-hand.

    October 26 - Woodville 101: Sweetmeats and Coffee "Desserts of 1794"

  • Learn about 18th century desserts as you prepare, serve, cook and eat a selection of 18th century sweetmeats using original "receipts" from 1794. Participants will make a selection of unique desserts that include lemon creams, raspberry fool, and syllabubs. This working event will begin at noon and will conclude with a sampling of the prepared foods in the still house at 5 pm. Please wear appropriate clothing for cooking over an open fire. Event is open to 6 people.
    Fee is $35 for non-members and $25 for members. Call 412.221.0348 to participate in this unique event.
    Download and print the registration form.

    November 2 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Soldier

  • Join a soldier from Anthony Wayne's Fourth Sub Legion, one of the soldiers stationed at Fort Fayette in Pittsburgh in 1794. These were the troops sent to defend Bower Hill during the Whiskey Rebellion. Learn about a soldier's life in camp, and experience drilling and marching first-hand.

    November 23 - Holidays at the House

  • Come celebrate the holidays in a "different light" with candlelit tours of the Woodville house. Learn about holiday customs that differ from today's celebrations such as Twelfth Night, Boxing Day, and the firing of the Christmas guns. Admission is $5 per adult and $10 per family. The site will be open from noon until 8 pm.

    December 7 - People of the Plantation: Meet the Wool Spinstress

  • Meet the wool spinstress and learn how wool was spun and woven into items to be used by the workers on the plantation.

    December 14 - Above Stairs: A Behind the Scenes Look at Woodville

  • Visitors will be treated to a special tour of a rarely seen area of the Woodville Plantation - above stairs in the main house. Visit the private rooms of the Neville and Cowan families and see the distinctive original painted checkerboard floor in A. Cowan's bedroom. Don't miss this rare look into the private lives of the Woodville residents.

The Woodville site will be closed from December 21, 2008, through January 3, 2009. Woodville will re-open for tours on January 4, 2009.