Old Stone House ownership transferred to Jennings Environmental Education Center
Old Stone House in Brady Township, a reconstructed tavern from 1822, has been transferred to Jennings Environmental Education Center, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Sept. 3.
In its heyday, Old Stone House served stagecoaches, livestock drivers, travelers and the community along Route 8 from Erie to Pittsburgh. The DCNR said taverns like it contributed to westward expansion and population the area.
The education center plans to renovate the structure and has not announced an opening date. The structure also underwent roof repairs in July. It has been closed since 2020.
“Jennings staff has been working for the last year with members of the former Friends of the Old Stone House, as well as numerous other partners, to create a plan for the future of the site,” said Wil Taylor, Jennings’ park manager.
Taylor said educational programming has not yet been set, but the center plans to expand its educational offerings to focus on local history and its significance in national history for both the public and school-aged groups.
“The Friends Group is very excited to be moving forward with the reopening of the Old Stone House,” said Stacie Williams, secretary of the Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission.
The site includes 72 acres of land and a portion of the North Country Trail.
The Old Stone House was rebuilt in 1963 to serve a museum after suffering a near-total collapse. It was owned at the time by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and operated by the Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission.
The site was later operated by Slippery Rock University. Negotiations between the university and DCNR to transfer the property to the Bureau of State Parks began in 2023.
“Slippery Rock University has completed the transfer of management of the Old Stone House Museum to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, completing the University’s nearly three decades as a proud steward of this historic property, said Ken Bach, senior director of university marketing and communication.
“The University and DCNR staff worked closely throughout the transition to ensure a smooth handoff. We are proud that DCNR’s oversight of the Old Stone House will continue to honor its legacy as a historic site that is open for public programming, enjoyment, and educational purposes.”
The Department of General Services and PA State System of Higher Education were also involved in the transfer.
Jennings also operates the nearby recently restored Foltz School.
