Jun 3, 2024 By Melissa Gibson 3 min read

In July of 1794, a group of 400 whiskey rebels, mainly from Washington County, attacked and destroyed the home of a tax inspector south of Pittsburgh.

One of the leaders of the Whiskey Rebellion, David Bradford, was among them.

A Washington County resident from 1788-1794, Bradford made his home in the county’s present-day Bradford House, now a museum that allows visitors a glimpse into what it was like in the 1700s. Across the street is the Whiskey Rebellion Education and Visitor Center with exhibits like their authentic Rev. Corbly Bible from 1782.

“We have several new exhibits. I think the one that will draw the most attention is an outdoor cube, sort of like a tic tac toe board, which shows the herbs planted in our garden and what it would be used for,” said Tracie Liberatore, Bradford House executive director. “The plants are based on 18th century living and the supplies they would use for food and medicinal purposes. So many people ask about it.”

The Visitors Center will also debut a new display with a First Edition Hugh Henry Brackenridge book.

“He was a major player in The Whiskey Rebellion. He wrote an account of the rebellion in his book and we’ll also display newspapers from that time,” Liberatore said.

Liberatore said building their wealth of historical artifacts has been a slow process.

When the museum first opened in 1965, there were only mock displays.

“It amazes me how people come in with this information and these artifacts they’ve held on to for all these years,” Liberatore said. “The first year, we received three donations, the second year, there were another three donations and so on. The Corbley Bible we have came from a shoebox in an attic.”

Ancestors of the Bradford family continue to donate items like an authentic silver tea set and more.

The Bradford House and The Whiskey Rebellion Education and Visitor Center is free to drop-in visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, from April through November.

They regularly offer cooking demonstrations, garden parties and ladies’ tea events.

In addition, thousands arrive for the popular Whiskey Rebellion Festival, set for July 12 and 13 this year, and many enjoy the annual Whiskey Rebellion Dinner, scheduled for Nov. 8 this year.

Staff at the Bradford House continue to offer new events and displays for visitors and regularly invite students to participate in field trips and other educational activities.

“For the first time this year, we’ll offer a Homeschooler’s Day in the spring and fall. We’ll have stations and activities for all ages,” Liberatore said. “The spring event welcomed more than 170 students, so we want to serve a need there.”

The fall Homeschooler’s Day will be Oct. 1. Tickets are $7 per person.

For more information, visit https://www.bradfordhouse.org/.