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Contact: Hilary Miller, 724-329-2501
POINT MARION, PA – It’s been 40 years since a series of fires nearly destroyed Friendship Hill in the summer of 1979. On Sunday, July 14, the National Park Service will welcome back the firefighters that saved Friendship Hill for a public event to observe the 40th anniversary of the fires. This event will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Gallatin House at Friendship Hill National Historic Site. During those hours, Friendship Hill will be open for self-guided tours, where visitors can see some of the remaining fire damage, and there will be a display of fire-related photos and articles for viewing. At 2:00 p.m., there will be a short welcome and a group photo will be taken of the returning firefighters. The Friendship Hill Association will provide light refreshments.
From June 29 to July 2, 1979, Friendship Hill was struck by a series of fires. Later determined to be arson, the fires caused damage to the historic Gallatin House as well as destroyed some outbuildings on park grounds. Eight fire companies from the surrounding area responded to the alarm: Point Marion, Smithfield, Masontown, Fairchance, Collier, Haydentown, McClellandtown, and Edenborn. The National Park Service is grateful to the over 100 volunteer firefighters who worked diligently to save Albert Gallatin’s home 40 years ago.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site is located three miles north of Point Marion, Pennsylvania, on PA-166. For more information about this and other programs and events at Friendship Hill NHS, please call 724-329-2501 or visit the park web site at www.nps.gov/frhi/index.htm.
Last updated: July 6, 2019