Dec 22, 2023 By Melissa Gibson 3 min read

What began as a labor of love when Canonsburg resident Andy Tarnick purchased the Roberts Stone House more than two decades ago, eventually landed in the hands of the Washington County Cultural Trust (WCCT), a nonprofit with the goal of preserving historical landmarks.

The Roberts Stone House is the last remaining structure associated with Jefferson College; the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains, dating back to 1794.

The building can be traced back to the founder of Canonsburg, Colonel John Canon and the founder of Jefferson College, the Rev. John McMillian.

The historical home has had additions over the years, including the overlay of brick and stone over logs, and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

“Andy bought the house to save it from demolition and it’s the reason WCCT was formed,” said Andrew Andronas, president of WCCT. “Phase one consisted of structural assistance to prevent the house from collapsing and applying for grants to help with the cost of this part of the renovation.”

After a brief hiatus and re-applying for their nonprofit status, WCCT is ready to move forward with the second phase of the project.

“This building means a great deal to a great deal of people, so two years ago some of the previous trustees and concerned citizens wanted to get the project back up and running,” Andronas said.

With a new board of trustees and a new grant aimed at hiring a designer for the next portion of the project, WCCT announced updates at a recent open house, held on the Roberts Stone House property.

The goal is to design the home to reflect what it looked like in the early 1800’s.

“This is like the Rockefeller mansion from history. It really takes you back in time,” Andronas said. “It has thick, two-foot stone walls. The first floor has five fireplaces, beautiful wood and trim, and even the front door is a special piece with details reflecting this Georgian architecture.”

In the future, WCCT hopes to develop a community space, envisioning beautiful pavers, a flower garden, string lights and more.

Residents of Canonsburg will be able to host weddings, receptions, speaking events and other gatherings on the half-acre property. In addition, each room in the home will have a museum feel – preserving the authenticity and timeline of Canonsburg’s past.

Andronas said one of the most important ways the community can support WCCT is through sharing information.

“I went to the middle school across the street and I don’t think I was aware of this old building; its structural history or its significance,” Andronas said. “We want to enhance our community by preserving our past and that includes educating our children and others.”

Donations are needed to continue rehabilitating the historical home. Volunteers are also needed to assist with a variety of tasks from grant writing to working in the home.

Visit https://washcountyculturaltrust.org/ for more information.