News Release
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Contact: Brian Reedy, 724-329-5470
POINT MARION, Pa. – On Saturday, February 1, 2020 the Friendship Hill Association and the National Park Service will display an artifact making its return to Fayette County, a Gallatin musket. Produced at New Geneva under state contract with Albert Gallatin & Company and with employees under the supervision of gun maker Melchior Baker they made nearly 1200 stand of arms. The contract was to produce muskets, bayonets, cartridge boxes and broadswords to supply Pennsylvania militia units defending the Commonwealth. Several contracts were awarded to gun makers but Gallatin’s was the only one west of the Alleghenies. Of the muskets made in New Geneva, fewer than ten are known to exist today.
A brief program, starting at 11:00 a.m. in the Gallatin mansion, will include a signing of Deed of Gift acknowledging transfer to the National Park Service collection. Guest will be welcome to view the musket. Light refreshments will be available.
The musket with bayonet, which dates to about 1799, was purchased by the Friendship Hill Association (FHA), the park’s friends group. FHA is a non-profit group whose mission is to support the National Park Service at Friendship Hill National Historic Site. The group has made numerous philanthropic contributions to the Friendship Hill NHS over their thirty plus years of partnership. After conservation, the musket will be on display in the Gallatin house museum.
Admission to the event is free. The Gallatin House is handicap accessible with restrooms that are open to the public.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site is located on Rt. 166 between Point Marion PA and New Geneva, PA. For further information contact the National Park Service at 724-329-2501.
Last updated: January 27, 2020