This place is epic! EPIC!! you could literally spend an entire weekend here exploring and you still…read moreprobably wouldn't get to see everything! It's truly a colossal piece of history. We went on a Saturday..got there around 3pm and left at 5pm. We barely ran into anyone while exploring..which was great. 2hrs was obviously not enough time. When we got there we checked in at the table..you get a wristband while on the property. Purchasing your tickets ahead of time..it makes life for the employees a lot easier. It's dark and there isn't power..so using the iPad to check out is a pain for them. They give you the rules and what not to do..where to stay out of..and they let you explore all on your own. We literally had so much fun. Make sure to bring plenty of flashlights and warm clothes if you're going during that winter season like we did. There are tunles that run from building to building..awesome! The chapel is incredible, the cell housing areas are just as cool..just so many things..the prison barber school..the cobbler shop. So many nooks and crannies. We learned theyll have overnight explorations in the spring/summer/fall in 2023. There will be a hydroponics building as well. The place is just spectacular, and the drive to keep this place open for people to come see history and not let it wither away is amazing. Thank you! Truly appreciate places like this. Please don't leave trash and break things here and ruin it for people who have an appreciation for places like this.

This place has been here since the whiskey rebellion. It has a deep historic roots involved with…read morethis place. In the 1770s, tracing ownership through the Swart and McDonald families. An ancestor named John Henry built the stone house between 1817 and 1823 on what was then called a plantation. An old will also refers to the dwelling as "the mansion house." They've since put a deck on the back of the place and redid the inside of the house. It's incredible and nicely snuggled inside of Mingo Creek Park and worth a visit.

I recently photographed a wedding at the Scenic View. The grounds are really beautiful and the…read morelookout trumps all. There's a tower up a long, winding road, but you don't even need to go up into the tower to see the gorgeous mountain view. The landscape is breathtaking, I'm sure, during any time of the day. But we went up at sunset after a storm and it was nothing short of spectacular. I cannot wait to get back to Penn's Scenic View for the view alone!

Penn's Scenic View is such a beautiful place. My large family would go up every year and rent out…read morethe Stable Lodge there. Of course, I loved being with my family. However, I loved going for walks in the area. It's such an amazing experience. Peace, quiet, utter bliss... what more could you ask for? If you walk up this dirt road, you'll encounter a wooden tower on a hill. If you walk up the tower, you can take in the breathtaking view. A full 360° of trees. It's all picture-worthy. You truly won't be disappointed. You can continue to walk around to discover new things. There's a lake next to the Lakeside Lodge. I would always see weddings take place at the lake from the Stable Lodge. It was really nice to see something like that. Unfortunately, this place is private property. You can't just walk in willy-nilly. We rented out a cabin, that's the only reason we were granted access. The place is being sold. It's up for around $1.3 million dollars. Therefore, we can't rent out the Stable Lodge anymore. The whole place is gated off. I wish I could go back up there, just one last time. It's truly amazing. That place means a lot to me. My family has been going up there since I was a baby, and I'm 17. A lot of memories are kept there. It's also the place where I found myself. I would do whatever I could to go up there just one last time. I want to share the experience with my girlfriend. I would pay that $1.3 million to go back up there. If you're lucky enough to visit the 18 acres of pure scenery, you won't be disappointed for even a second.

While we were in Latrobe, we had to stop by and see the first banana split monument. It's just…read moresomething we had to do because it was the first and maybe only but it was awesome and I definitely recommend it.

My husband and I were driving home from the Westmoreland County arts and crafts festival and…read morediscovered Hanna's town as we were driving. The place was closing within 15 minutes but I had the opportunity to meet with a couple of staff and learn about the place. Hanna's Town is a national historic site not often noted during the pre and during the Revolutionary War. We learned that it was the first English court west of the Allegheny Mountains and this town had more prominence than Pittsburgh which had yet to be developed. The settlers adapted what was called the Hanna's town resolves which fueled the movement towards independence. It was also was an important site during the war recruiting men for the Continental Army and for the militia that aided the western campaigns against the Indian allies of the British. The actual town itself was burned by Indians and British allies in 1782 and a partial recreated village was built in its place to show the hard lives the early settlers had and the important part they played in achieving American Independence. A lady let us view a one room house with bare floors that had table and chairs, a bed, and a fireplace along with dishes and other things needed for a frontier lifestyle. One can only imagine what life must have been like in that period. I had an opportunity to tour the fort on the grounds and saw various items such as a fireplace, the frame of a TeePee, and a memorial to a 12 year girl by the daughters of the American Revolution who gave her lives to the Indians. With very little time we were allowed into the gift shop where they have additional artifacts about the town itself. They offer tours which last 1 1/2 hours and since they were closing asked us to return for one. Tours are only $5.00 but you can get $1.00 off if you are AAA member or Senior Citizen. I was given a pamphlet where I learned they host events, court reenactments, antique and collectibles markets and other things. This is definitely a must return trip since it will give me an opportunity to learn more about the colonial lifestyle. Located on Forbes Trail Road it is an easy drive to Greensburg.

I found this on the 'Uncovering PA' facebook page as something to see in Pennsylvania so drove in…read more I loved how it was laid out and enjoyed wandering the fort, then up the hill to the very large rock! Across the street you find the stockade, schoolroom, and visitor center.. Sadly it was closed when I arrived but I did enjoy the buildings. I love history and these old buildings are amazing. I love old forts too ;)

This is the quintessential Brownsville historical attraction. If you are looking for a prize of…read morelocal history you cannot find anywhere else then look no further

I have heard of Nemacolin Castle, but had thought it was near the resort by the same name. It…read morewasn't until I entered the address into the GPS that I learned it is located in Brownsville. Husband and I decided to visit when the Christmas tour was offered. We got a history lesson on the man who founded a trading post and built the castle. The Bowman family was quite influential in the area. It is impressive to be made aware of the history behind the family and the home. The home is managed by the historical society and volunteers. It would be great if they would get some additional funding for restoring the home. Right now, they rely on donations and admission fees to maintain the upkeep. There are areas of sagging floors and peeling wallpaper. It is fortunate that most of the furniture items were actually owned and used by the family. The piano is beautiful and one of the first to come to the area. The home was decorated for the Christmas holiday. Admission is $15 for adults and tickets may be purchased online or at the door. On busy times, I would recommend reservations. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We were in a tour of about 18-24 people which was too large of a group. The some of the rooms were small and we were crammed in to hear the guide. Still, it was a nice way to spend a rainy Saturday before Christmas. I want to return when they have a haunted tour next fall.

Fallingwater is a great stop if you plan to drive from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh or vice versa…read morelike we did. It is a 4 hour drive from Philly to Fallingwater. I'm glad we stopped. This was by far one of the coolest architectural structures I've ever seen in my life. I see why it has won so many awards as the crowning achievement for architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Completed in 1939 as a weekend retreat for Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann, it is celebrated worldwide as the ultimate masterpiece of "organic architecture"--a philosophy integrating human habitation seamlessly with nature.Located in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, the house is famously cantilevered directly over the Bear Run waterfall. The design anchors reinforced concrete trays and local sandstone to the natural rock, making the house appear to float above the stream Fallingwater has received numerous honors and architectural designations, including: 1976: Designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. National Park Service 2019: Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with seven other Wright-designed properties, in recognition of its universal global significance. I was in awe at the entire complex, all of the rooms, and of course the waterfall that goes all around the house.

Fallingwater is about 1.5 hrs from Pittsburgh and a must see if you are in the area. For anyone…read moreinterested in history, architecture or nature, this place architected by Frank Lloyd Wright is a beauty that seamlessly integrates this home with nature. Tickets for tours should be purchased online in advance to ensure you will get a tour.

Located in the Town of Somerset, Somerset Co., PA on the corner of Centre and Union Streets. Built…read more1904-1906 architect was JC Fulton. Sits on 1 acre of land measures 146 ft x 112 ft and 135 ft tall. Made of Indiana Limestone, sits on Sandstone with terra cotta roof and copper dome on center tower. Gorgeous and free to go inside and look around. Beautiful building

I had recently heard that the Somerset County Courthouse is the highest court in all of…read morePennsylvania, elevation speaking. Makes sense as Mt. Davis, highest point in Pennsylvania, lies within Somerset County as well. It is quite the beautiful building, one of the first things you see when you drive into the area, proudly sitting on top of Somerset. Listed on National Registry of Historic Places and part of the Uptown Somerset Historic District basically tells you about the age of the structure. Inside you are greeted by security guards and metal detectors like you find in every government building today. Once you pass the checkpoints you are greeted then by the grand staircase that takes to exactly where you need to be. Three courthouses are housed within; one on the first floor and two on the second floor. All three are grandly ornate and distinct from one another. The biggest of the three is magnificent. I'm no architect, but I can respect the beauty of a nicely laid out building. The staircase is made of marble and splits at mid-level. If you cannot traverse stairs, you will be able to use the elevator in the building. Bathrooms are spread throughout with the main one being on the bottom floor. Also located on the bottom floor is a room with some vending machines, if you are here for an extended period of time that is a good thing to know. Many offices are located here that you would expect to find in a county courthouse. What you can't find in here they do have an annex building located across the street. The county jail is also located across the street. Everything from criminal and civil cases to jury selection happen here. I just so happen to have had the pleasure of serving jury duty and being able to do that here made my civic duty that much easier.

I had to stop by the 25 foot gas pump I was in Latrobe did not? I mean what a cool thing to see who…read morewould ever thought that they would have something like this. But I did and it was awesome so go check it out.