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Explore more than 400 artifacts made publicly available for research and educational purposes thanks to our partnership with University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.
Forging Ahead and Falling Behind: Industrial Growth in a Rural Community
Visit the newly-remodeled Museum and explore the industrialization of West Overton and its effects on those who made the village into a thriving community: the people.
Abraham Overholt’s business foresight transformed West Overton from a modest farm to an industrial enterprise, contributing to the United States’ first industrial revolution of the 1840s. Throughout the 19th century, hundreds of people lived and worked in West Overton as farmers, millers, distillers, coopers, weavers, homemakers, store owners, coal miners, and other workers. New technologies and expanded facilities increased efficiency, but at the cost of jobs, new workplace dangers, and damage to the environment. We can relate to this today.
Forging Ahead and Falling Behind explores transformations in agriculture, industry, and labor through stories of individual workers at West Overton. Explore how these industries change over time and their impacts on workers. Tour this immersive exhibit in the historic distillery building.
Explore our exhibitions in the Museum located in the historic distillery building. The exhibition is a self-guided experience. Groups of 10+ can arrange a guided tour of the exhibition.
Visit during our open hours with regular admission.
Explore more than 400 artifacts made publicly available for research and educational purposes thanks to our partnership with University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.