Here are some links to some fascinating resources
The Gilded Age
The History Center’s mural, located above the arched entrance to the Wilpen Farm Theater, contains various icons of Sewickley Heights. In the right hand corner is the late G. Whitney Snyder Sr. who established the center.
The history center is built on land original to the Snyder family farm and looks across to Wilpen Hall, the estate built in 1899 for William Penn Snyder. In the mural, Mr. Snyder is pictured with his first car, an American Austin, that is now kept at the center. Some of Mr. Snyder’s other cars are kept at the Frick Museum in Point Breeze.
Among the industrial leaders who summered in Sewickley Heights are John and Adelaide Burgwin who founded the Sewickley Hunt Club in 1921. Henry Oliver and his daughter Edith Oliver Rea are shown alongside his famous Farmhill garden. The Healey Carriage which is shown in the mural at an Allegheny Country Club horse show is kept at the center.
A view of the club’s sporting life is also represented: The 1906 U.S. Amateur Golf Championship whose title was won by Eban Byers, the 1914 Davis Cup tennis championship, and the equestrian life as depicted with the side-saddle rider.
One can also see the Gate House of J.F. Byer’s estate, Goodwood. Goodwood later became the H.J. Heinz home and was torn down in 1989. B.F. Jones’ father is featured near an interior view of the Fairacres II living room. One can also see a representative water tower which was in use on many of the Sewickley Heights estates. Smith also painted the Palladian poolhouse at the Hillside Farm owned by Lewis Park. He included a sphinx which today still sits on a gate column of Fairacres estate and can be seen from Blackburn Road. A ladle, pouring out liquid steel, symbolizes its importance in Pittsburgh’s and Sewickley Heights Borough’s history and development. Interspersed among the historic figures are paintings of many plants and animals native to the area.
Fern Hollow Nature Center
Fern Hollow Nature Center is a place where individuals, groups and families can come to enjoy the outdoors. This gateway to the area park system provides educational opportunities aimed at helping adults and children understand and appreciate our environment.
Since 1997, Fern Hollow Nature Center has been a valuable educational and environmental resource in the community. With over 5,000 visitors each year, the Center provides the community with unique learning opportunities and a wonderful facility for events. Programs are held on the grounds, in the area parks and often in the region’s vast creek system. Programming includes family programs, adult programs, nature walks, community events and also educational programming for local schools. In addition, Fern Hollow offers a self-guided nature walk and a Natural Outdoor Classroom, which is the 1st“Nature Play” area in Pennsylvania and the 44th in the Nation as designated by the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. The Classroom includes a Nature Play Area with different challenge activities for young children, an Apiary, and a Community Garden. In 2011, Fern Hollow will add a self-guided Native Tree Walk that boasts 30 different varieties of trees.
There truly is so much to discover at Fern Hollow Nature Center.