ZELIENOPLE — Passavant House may have a new feature in its backyard soon.

The Zelienople Historical Society unveiled its plan to have a gazebo constructed at the house’s backyard.

“We’re very excited about this,” said historical society trustee Sue Casker. “The historical society would love to become more relevant in the township.”

The space was once home to two walnut trees that were there since the Passavant House’s construction from 1808 to 1810. Both trees were taken down about three years ago after it was discovered both were hollow.

“It was a sad thing, but it opened up the whole Passavant backyard,” Casker said.

The gazebo will have electricity, walkways and various plants around it. Casker said it could be used for various programs and events like musical performances, senior photos and weddings.

The plants will be the ones written in Zelie Passavant’s old letters to her children. Zelienople was named after her.

Casker said the gazebo addition would help attract more people to the southern end of Main Street where the house is located.

“For our festivals like Horse Trading Days and the fall festival, people get just about as far as Roach & Ziegler (Interiors) and they never come up to us,” she said. “We are hoping to be a little part of the revitalization on the south end and balance it out.”

The gazebo will be built using some of Passavant’s history. Wood from the former walnut trees will be used for construction. Along with that, people can send $50 donations and have their name inscribed on bricks that will also be placed in the walkway.

Casker said the estimated budget for the entire project is $50,000 with the gazebo itself being about $18,000.

Other costs include plantings, walkways, irrigation and construction and grading to level the area.

The project is partially funded by the historical society, which is working on fundraising through events and the inscribed bricks. Casker also said donations will be accepted by anyone interested.

She approached borough council about contributing money for the project.

“I don’t know what we can budget. It’s way too early for that,” borough manager Don Pepe said.

Other council members called the project “impressive.”

Casker said the historical society will work to receive building permits for the project and look for a local contractor. If things go smoothly, construction can begin around mid-October. If not, it will be postponed to spring 2016.