Pennsylvania has a rich history of industries, including the often forgotten history of whiskey production. Before Prohibition, Pennsylvania was known for producing world-renowned whiskey, especially Monongahela Rye from the southwestern region. This history is being celebrated at the new James B. Beam Pennsylvania Whiskey Heritage Center at West Overton Village, a nonprofit historic site and museum in Scottdale, Westmoreland County.West Overton was settled by the Overholt family in 1803 and grew from a small farm into an industrial village centered around whiskey distilling. While Overholt™ whiskey is produced today by Suntory Global Spirits under James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, West Overton is considered the brand’s “spiritual home.” Overholt™ is recognized by whiskey historians as the longest standing American whiskey brand, with an unbroken chain of ownership, production and sale since Abraham Overholt established his distilling business at West Overton in 1810. James B. Beam Pennsylvania Whiskey Heritage CenterThe James B. Beam Pennsylvania Whiskey Heritage Center is located in West Overton’s original distillery and gristmill built in 1859, which now serves as a museum. The Heritage Center’s mission is to celebrate and preserve Pennsylvania’s whiskey heritage – past, present, and future.The Sam Komlenic Gallery housed within the Whiskey Heritage Center is home to the largest publicly accessible collection of Pennsylvania whiskey artifacts. The centerpiece of the Gallery is a striking display of 250+ whiskey bottles from the late 19th to late 20th centuries. The bottles represent some of the most successful distilling companies in Pennsylvania history, including Overholt, Dillinger, Large, Gibson, Guckenheimer, Sam Thompson, Schenley, Continental, and many more. In total, there are more than 450 artifacts including wooden crates, barrels, collectibles, and documents. Reproduced images including postcards, a portrait of the Large Distilling Company baseball team, and photographs of the last barrel produced at the Large distillery in the 1950s. One entire wall is a collage of reproduced whiskey labels, showcasing the art of whiskey advertising and branding. Most of the objects in the Gallery were donated by collector Sam Komlenic, board member of West Overton Village and copy editor of Whisky Advocate. Visitors can explore more history about the whiskey bottles and their respective distilleries in an upcoming in-gallery app.The Overholt Stateroom is a vintage-inspired lounge that pays homage to the origins of Overholt™ whiskey.Another new space in the Whiskey Heritage Center is the Overholt Stateroom, a vintage-inspired lounge that pays homage to the origins of Overholt™ whiskey. It features a modern bar, antique furniture and decor, vintage and modern bottlings, and a mural of Abraham Overholt. The Overholt Stateroom is available to rent through West Overton Village and will be open to guests during special private events.Lastly, the Whiskey Heritage Center is helping preserve a variety of artifacts from West Overton Village’s vast collection in the new Visible Collections Storage. These artifacts represent the region’s agricultural, industrial, and cultural heritage, including farm equipment, folk art, antique coverlets, pipe organs, medical tools, and more.Museum Exhibition and Guided ToursStories of real people come to life in the museum’s interactive exhibit.Visitors can continue exploring the history of West Overton in an interactive exhibition, Forging Ahead and Falling Behind: Industrial Growth in a Rural Community. This exhibition highlights the many industries at West Overton in the 19th and early 20th centuries and how technology changed their work. This exhibition received an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History in 2023.Stories of real people including farmers, millers, distillers, coopers, store owners, housekeepers, and coal miners are shared often for the first time. Immersive spaces like the recreated general store and artifacts like the hand-powered washing machine bring this history to life. Guided tours are available at the Overholt homestead, built in 1838.The Overholts’ original homestead built in 1838 is open for guided tours by our team of museum educators. Learn about the growth of West Overton through stories of Overholt and Frick family members and the influence and impact they had on the region. Abraham Overholt’s grandson, industrialist Henry Clay Frick, was born in the springhouse and spent parts of his youth at West Overton. Henry’s daughter, Helen Clay Frick, purchased the homestead and opened it as a museum in 1928.Rye Whiskey DistilleryWest Overton Village’s educational distillery produces Monongahela style whiskey using rye grown on site.While the historic distillery closed during Prohibition, a century later, whiskey is being distilled at West Overton once again. In 2020, West Overton Distilling was created and began producing rye whiskey as an educational program of the museum experience. Using rye grown on site and locally sourced malted barley, West Overton Distilling produces Monongahela style rye whiskey in the spirit of pre-Prohibition distilleries of southwestern Pennsylvania. West Overton’s craft distillery is located in a renovated 19th century barn where visitors can learn about the history and science of rye whiskey distilling. Additionally, as a stop on the Laurel Highlands Pour Tour, West Overton Distilling invites visitors to enjoy a tasting and selection of seasonal cocktails. Bottles are available for sale exclusively at the distillery.Plan your visit todayThe post Rediscovering Pennsylvania’s Whiskey Legacy appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.