Jun 17, 2019 2 min read

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Edward J. Ohl built the house at 794 Washington Road.

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The “Classical Lady,” whose discovery during renovations led to uncovering other decorative wall art in the history center

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The History Center is located at 794 Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon.

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The McMillan family in the “patio room” of the history center. Mrs. McMillan had the fountain drained and converted into a planter.

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Interested in learning more about the building that houses the Historical Society of Mt. Lebanon? Check out the new exhibit, “The History Center: Where It’s Been and Where It’s Going,” which traces the history of the building, the property, and the families and organizations that have occupied the building at 794 Washington Road.

According to society President Michael Cahall, since the History Center opened last September, many people have inquired about the building’s history. “This seemed like a good way to draw together much of what we know about the house and to answer many of the questions we have been asked frequently,” he said.

Deed research traces the property to 1878, when Hugh and Ella Long owned the land. A house was not built there sometime after 1926. Edward and Laura Ohl lived in the single-story structure that originally consisted of a living room, dining room, kitchen, “patio” room, and two bedrooms. They remained there until 1944.

In 1946, Alan W. Graham sold the house to Dr. Donald and Christine McMillan. Dr. McMillan was a general practice physician who saw patients in the basement. They owned the property with their four children until 1982, when they sold it to the Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority. The building was used for governmental offices until 2014, when the historical society, which began subletting space on the first floor in 2009, entered into an agreement with the municipality to purchase and renovate the building and operate it as a History Center.

The History Center is located at the corner of Washington Road across from Southminster Church in Mt. Lebanon, and is open from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Visit its website http://lebohistory.org/ for more information.