Sewickley Valley Historical Society upcoming events

An Evening with The Founders (09/22/2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

The Sewickley Valley Historical Society invites you to join us for a special evening when we welcome Thomas Jefferson and Abigail Adams to the Sewickley Valley for "An Evening with the Founders."

This family-friendly event is the perfect way to commemorate America250 as the landmark year nears its close! All are welcome!

Direct from historic Philadelphia, renowned historical actors Steve Edenbo and Kim Hanley will bring the founders to life and engage in a spirited discussion of their often-conflicting views on the events that surrounded the struggle for American Independence and the establishment of the United States under the Constitution.

This event will take place at the Quaker Valley Middle School Auditorium.

Doors open at 5:30 | Program starts at 6pm

Meet and Greet with the Founders to follow.

NOW FREE for ALL ATTENDEES!

Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson were, for all practical explanations, from two completely different worlds. She was New England born, the second daughter of a parson, and, in her own words “destitute in every part of education.” Thomas Jefferson was the highly educated, privileged first son of a wealthy Virginia planter. Their spheres should never have brought them together in friendship, but the extraordinary events of their lifetimes brought these two highly intelligent people into a friendship of conversation and correspondence that would provide posterity with a unique conversation about: the different roles, expectations of, and opportunities for men and women in the 18th century, the different economies of the northern and southern states during the founding years, the developing, opposing political views of the new nation the necessity to maintain civil and cordial conversation in the face of vastly differing experiences and opinions. Topics of debate will include women’s rights, Shays Rebellion, sedition, immigration, presidential powers, supreme court appointments, and other issues.

An Evening at Newington (09/25/2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Join the Sewickley Valley Historical Society for its second annual fundraiser, hosted by Ellen Still Brooks and Jay Brooks at their historic Sewickley Valley home, Newington.

Surveyor Level: $350 per person. Includes an exclusive, inside tour of Newington. Guests will have access to the historic grounds and garden before and after their private tour.

Postmaster Level: $150 per person. Guests will have access to historic grounds and gardens.

Both experiences feature:

An array of heavy hors d'oeuvres by All in Good Taste.
An open bar.
The captivating ambiance with live entertainment, provided by a String Quartet from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Every guest will have the opportunity to have a live watercolor portrait of them done at the event by KP Illustrations.
Opportunities to participate in a silent auction with unique items.
Observe Sewickley artist Claire Hardy, as she paints Newington live during the fundraiser while displaying available paintings from her studio gallery.

What to know before you go:

Garden party attire encouraged.
4:30pm Arrival time for Surveyor Level.
5:30pm Arrival for Postmaster Level.
Parking at Sewickley Academy's Nichols Field (between Shields Lane and Little Sewickley Creek Road)

Additional Details Added Daily!

SVHS Lecture Series: National Historic Preservation Act at 60 (10/15/2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join SVHS for the first lecture of the 2026–2027 program season!

On October 15, 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) into law. Following a post-war boom of urban renewal and federally funded projects that brought destruction to the built, historic landscape of the U.S., the NHPA established, for the first time, a national preservation program and a system of procedural protections, which encourage both the identification and protection of historic resources. The NHPA represented the most extensive preservation legislation ever enacted in the U.S.

Join SVHS – 60 years to date of the signing of the NHPA – when we welcome Matthew Craig, the CEO of the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, to explore the successes, shortfalls, and future of the landmark piece of legislation.

This program is free and open to the public.

NOTE: This lecture will be held at the Sewickley Public Library. Please use this page to register in advance.

Winter Tea 2027 (02/06/2027)

Sat, 06 Feb 2027 20:00:00 GMT

SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, February 6, 2027

Allegheny Country Club

Join SVHS at its 4th annual Winter Tea, when we welcome back speaker Jessica Young for "From Gilded to Gibson, fashion at the turn of the 20th Century." After enjoying an traditional afternoon tea, a Q&A will follow the presentation, and attendees will be able to see of her reproduction clothing on site, as well as images via PowerPoint.

Tickets will go on sale December 2026.

SVHS members will receive early access. This event sells out every year -- JOIN SVHS today to secure your spot at this popular event.

Additional details to come!

What else to know for our SVHS Winter Tea, 2027:

Our Winter Tea Basket Raffle Returns
- Tickets are $10 can be added to your tea ticket purchase or purchased at the door.

“Best Dressed” Contest
- Guests are strongly encouraged to wear their own best tea party apparel and millinery -- hats, fascinators, headpieces, chapeau, etc! Prize to be awarded to the best-decorated attendee!

The historic Allegheny Country Club will provide our traditional high tea service.
- Including: Warm Chippewa Soup, Assorted Tea Sandwiches, Scones with Jelly & Clotted Cream, Fruit, Cookies, Coffee, Hot Tea.
- Valet Parking and Coat Check are included in your ticket price!
- Mug and drink voucher combo -- available to reserve at the time of ticket purchase! New this year – a drinking glass option!

About Our Speaker:

RETURNING for a second year, by popular demand!

Jessica Young is a specialist in historical clothing, accessories, sewing supplies, and do-it-yourself kits. A graduate of the University of Richmond with a degree in theatrical costuming, she worked at Colonial Williamsburg as a seamstress during college and as a costumer for Carnegie Mellon University’s drama department after returning home to Western Pennsylvania. She is well-known among Western Pennsylvania's historic sites and the reenacting community as a reliable source of authentic reproduction 18th-century clothing supplies and engaging demonstrations. Young is the owner of Penny River, LLC, in Trafford, which makes and sells historical costumes and accessories. Jessica’s items have been featured in the shows "Bridgerton" and "Outlander."