History Lesson
When the Butler Historical Society reopens its Sen. Walter Lowrie House in Butler on Aug. 22, visitors can expect a new look.
The Butler County Historical Society took advantage of the closure brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic to do a thorough spring cleaning of the historic building at 123 W. Diamond St., which houses its offices.
Historical society members opened every box in every room, cupboard, dresser, case, trunk and desk and is spending the summer cleaning, cataloging and choosing which objects to place on display.
The parlor, dining room, two bedrooms and nursery will be staged to look as they did in the late 1800s when the Sullivan/Shaw family lived in the home.
The historical society expects it will take two years to complete the project but with many objects removed from storage and put on display, museum staffers said that it is a good start.
The reopening will be accompanied by a yard sale celebration, tours of the redecorated rooms, games, music and food.
Built by Butler's only United States senator, Walter Lowrie, in 1828, this is the last remaining house of its type in the Butler area. A listing on the National Register of Historic Places has recognized its historical and architectural significance. The house and its furnishings were bequeathed to the society in 1986, by Isabelle Shaw, a descendant of the Sullivan family, owners of the house since 1839.
A connection between Lowrie and abolition activist and statesman Frederick Douglass will form the basis for a new interpretive exhibit for the Lowrie House office.
Born into slavery in 1819, Frederick Douglass escaped in 1838. But in the eyes of the law, even in free states he remained the property of Maryland plantation owners Hugh and David Auld.
In 1845, Douglass traveled to the safety of Great Britain while his supporters worked to procure his freedom.
Two Quaker women living in England engaged Lowrie to represent them in their efforts to purchase Douglass' legal freedom from the Aulds.
Lowrie had by then sold his home in Butler and moved to New York City. Because of his deeply held anti-slavery beliefs, he agreed to negotiate with the Aulds for Douglass' freedom.
There are at least two letters from Lowrie's correspondence with Henry Auld still in existence
The Lowrie House will be the only historical society site to reopen this year. Both the Little Red School House and the Cooper Cabin Pioneer Homestead will remain closed for the summer.
The society expects to reopen both sites in 2021 with new exhibits and events in place for visitors to enjoy.
The historical society intends to stage is popular cemetery walk, “Echoes From Our Past” Sept. 12 in the North Side Cemetery.
In keeping with the ghostly theme, the Lowrie House will host popular “The Ghosts Return” event Oct. 17. Participants will walk the house's halls and listen to tales of terrifying hauntings.
