ZELIENOPLE — A new highlight with historical roots at the Passavant House is nearing completion.

A gazebo and garden are being installed in the house’s backyard. Sue Casker of the Zelienople Historical Society said it’s hoped the project will be completed before Horse Trading Days in mid-July.

“We’re coordinating a lot of suppliers and contractors, so it’s all based on that and weather,” Casker said.

Construction started in late April.

The gazebo will be 16 feet wide and no more than 14 feet high per borough ordinance. It will have electricity and walkways.

The garden surrounding the gazebo will be based on Zelie Passavant’s letters to her children. The borough was named after her.

“They grew a lot of vegetables to eat,” Casker said. “She (Passavant) loved flowers like pansies and roses.”

Fruit trees were also in her yard. Casker said an apple tree may be planted.

“She (Passavant) would ask her sons to bring her trees from Pittsburgh and different places,” Casker said. “Neighbors would often share plants and seeds with her.”

Passavant’s property however stretched from Main Street to Clay Street, much larger than the 75-foot-by-166-foot backyard her house has today.

Fruits and vegetables grown in the garden included squash, cabbage, raspberries and strawberries.

Casker said food grown in the garden may be used for historical society fundraisers as the house’s herb garden is now.

“We’ve made some cookies and breads with the herbs and sold those,” she said.

If the plants described in Passavant’s letters cannot be used, plants native to the area will be placed instead.

The project was made possible after two walnut trees were taken down last year. The trees had been at the Passavant House since its construction from 1808 to 1810.

Wood from the trees will be used for construction, furthering the project’s historical influences.

Casker said the wood will most likely be used as a finishing product for the gazebo.

Cathy Powell, president of the historical society, said with Horse Trading Days nearing, the project should bring more attention to the southern part of Main Street.

“We’ve always had a hard time getting people down to the Passavant House because everything is on the upper end of the street,” Powell said. “This will give us more visibility. The garden will be an ongoing thing.”

People can also send donations and have their name inscribed on bricks that will also be placed in the walkway.

The project was originally planned for last October. However it was delayed so it would not be rushed for weather.

The site will serve as a setting for different historical society and music programs.

“I could see a wedding there,” Powell said. “We want the town to be able to access it as well for people to sit and enjoy the surroundings.”