Old Stone House remains closed
May 3—BRADY TOWNSHIP — Community members were disappointed to learn that a historic site just outside Slippery Rock will not be reopening anytime soon.
The Old Stone House, at 2865 William Flynn Highway in Brady Township, is not opening for the summer season and will remain closed for tours until further notice, according to "The Old Stone House" Facebook page.
"Thanks to all those who have expressed interest in tours or events; we're sorry we'll be unable to serve you this summer," the post continued.
The April 25 post concludes by directing questions to the office of the president at Slippery Rock University, which runs the Old Stone House.
The comments in response to the Facebook post question whether the school really cares about the museum property while others lament the loss of access to an important piece of history.
Some asked about the vague wording and the lack of an explanation behind the decision.
One person shared a response they got from the president's office; it says that SRU is planning to invest in the Old Stone House this summer by replacing the roof but they are not ready to resume seasonal programming.
Depending on state funding, SRU may be facing a budget deficit this year as it continues to tackle the economic impact of COVID-19, according to the response, which said that they made the "difficult decision" to focus on preserving the building rather than programming.
The Old Stone House, which was built in 1822, did not open in 2021 because of budgetary constraints. It was closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The property, which sits at the intersection of routes 8, 258 and 173 south of Slippery Rock, has been home to a number of establishments over the years: stagecoach stop, inn, tavern, post office, and muster point during the Civil War, according to the Visit Butler County website.
It was restored in the 1960s by Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, which eventually turned it over the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
SRU took over in 1999. Events and programs have included historical re-enactments, holiday gatherings, exhibits, lectures, classes and more.
And the property is said to be haunted, possibly by the spirit of Samuel Mohawk, who murdered Margaret Wigton and her five children in 1843.
The Wigtons lived near the Old Stone House, which operated as a stagecoach stop and tavern at the time.
That was Mohawk's stop. He would go on to attack the family, later being caught by townspeople including James Wigton.
Mohawk, who confessed to the crime, was indicted on six counts of murder and hung in 1844 in Butler.
