The Friends of Hartwood Council consists
of 10 volunteers with a variety of backgrounds, appointed
by the County of Allegheny, with the objective of fulfilling
our Mission Statement.
Friends
of Hartwood Mission Statement
Founded in 2003 to preserve and protect the
natural environment and cultural heritage of Hartwood Acres.
About us
The Friends of Hartwood is a board whose members have a special
interest in looking out for the welfare of this very special
Allegheny County Park. The Friends goal is preserve the park’s
629 acres of land with its wooded trails, stable complex,
gate lodge and the stately 16th Century Tudor design Mansion
erected in 1929. The park is known for its house tours, summer
performing arts series, winter Festival of Lights and abundant
opportunities for walking, horseback riding, hiking, cross
country skiing and biking on the extensive trail system of
over 30 miles. The historical significance of the Mansion
has been recognized by Pittsburgh History & Landmarks
as one of its designated sites. The Mansion features an excellent
collection of original English and American antiques which
affords an opportunity to glimpse into a part of Pittsburgh's
past.
The Friends of Hartwood believe that the
region is greatly enhanced by its green spaces and its history,
both of which are linked at Hartwood Acres. Our vision is
to preserve the past, polish and perfect the present, and
prepare for the future. We seek to care for the mansion, stables
and grounds while maintaining the atmosphere. Hartwood Acres
is considered by many to be the cultural gem of the Allegheny
County Parks System. |
- With the help of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks, Friends
of Hartwood successfully negotiated a grant from Tobacco
Free Allegheny to make the Hartwood Mansion a smoke free
facility.
- Friends of Hartwood volunteers re-glazed and painted
nearly half of the110 steel casement windowson the first
floor of the Mansion with a goal of completing all first
floor windows.
- At the request of the Friends of Hartwood, the public
restrooms in the Hartwood Mansion are being restored by
the Allegheny County Public Works Department.
- Several permanent silk floral arrangements have been prepared
and donated to the Mansion by volunteers recruited by the
Friends of Hartwood.
- Friends of Hartwood and over 30 community volunteers
including Girl Scouts planted the formal gardens at the
Mansion and re-established the gardens around the Mansion.
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- Friends of Hartwood and community volunteers have decorated
the interior rooms in the Mansion for the Holidays Designed
in a manner evoking the style and fashion of the golden
years of the Mansion, the effort relied in part on the use
of materials donated or loaned to the Friends by private
sources. Special efforts were made to capture the equestrian
theme of the 1920’s and 1930’s in a specially
designed quilt and tree topper decorations. In the last
2 years, over 1500 hours have been donated to this effort
alone.
- Handmade draperies were designed and sewn for the 17 windows
in Mr. Lawrence’s bedroom by volunteers.
- At the request of the Friends of Hartwood, the Allegheny
County Public Works Department is repairing or replacing
windows at the stables.
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