Pop-up restaurant, cook-off among events planned at historic Erie County farmhouse
GIRARD — There's a "new" venue in Girard for farm-to-table dinners, cook-offs, barbecues, cooking classes and even a pop-up restaurant.
The venue is the "Yellow House" at the Hagen History Center's Girard campus. Built in 1857 as a private home and more recently used as a museum of rural life, the Italianate farmhouse will be the setting for a variety of public programs and events beginning this fall.
The house has been renovated and updated to accommodate the new uses.
"We're very proud of the work we've done and very excited about the new programs and events," said Hagen History Center Executive Director Cal Pifer.
The events: Food, foraging and more
Hagen History Center will partner with North East-based Red Letter Hospitality to offer the cook-off, barbecue, farm-to-table dinners and pop-up restaurant tentatively scheduled for November. Red Letter Hospitality operates Skunk & Goat Tavern, The Cork 1794 and Molly Brannigan's as well as a catering service.
The Yellow House can seat 50, or 150 for cocktail seating.
Also planned are seasonally themed cooking classes, including cooking with maple syrup and with foraged mushrooms. Another monthly class will focus on cooking over an open flame.
"The themes are in homage to the property's farm history," Pifer said.
The Yellow House and neighboring White House originally were owned by banker Rush Battles. The property includes 130 acres of farmland, manicured lawns and adjacent woods donated to the Erie County Historical Society in the 1980s.
"It will also be a great setting for outdoor events, like picnics among the sunflowers we planted this spring," Pifer said.
The house additionally will be available for private events, including weddings and rehearsal dinners. An apartment on its second floor has been offered for short-term rental since last year.
All dressed up for the public
The Yellow House got new heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, fresh plaster and paint this spring.
The study, main exhibit room, dining room and other public areas have been staged with new chandeliers, rugs and furniture, including some Battles family pieces. Displays include Battles family portraits and dishes and serving pieces original to the estate.
Almost all of the renovations were done by volunteers and Hagen History Center staff.
Hagen History Center: An Erie attraction with a new national and even international reach
"We were able to do the work on a shoestring," Pifer said.
Hagen History Center members toured the newly renovated house during their annual meeting July 18.
"There were 200 people here and it wasn't crowded," Pifer said.
In June 2022: Spend a night or more at the museum, at the Battles 'Yellow House' in Girard
The Yellow House and White House will be open during Girard's Dan Rice Days celebration Aug. 3-5. Fall events at the Yellow House will be announced.
"We're very proud of the house and very appreciative of the dozens and dozens of volunteers who helped with the renovations," Pifer said. "It's an asset that the Girard community takes pride in."
Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Historic Girard home to host pop-up restaurant, farm-to-table dinners
