Gilfillan— Not One Thin Dime Mary Lynne Spazok
What people do not understand, they do not value; what they do not value, they will not protect; and what they do not protect, they will lose.—Charles Jordan, environmentalist and master horticulturist (Gonzaga University, chairman of the board, The Conservation Fund) From Carnegie to Chattanooga, Brazil to Bethel Park, South Africa to South Park, more than 400 visitors from across the globe toured the Gilfillan Homestead on USC’s Community Day this past May. Under the guidance of the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair, carefree children romped about while mom and dad experienced the Victorian lifestyle of Margaret Gilfillan’s residence. Exploring this farmstead is one of the most tangible ways to link children and their families with agriculture, thus encouraging a new generation’s interactions with the food system. Often, children have little or no knowledge about where their food comes from. This opportunity inspires youngsters to make healthier food choices that support local farm communities and farmers’ markets. Community Day guests learn about the value of farming and experience first-hand the production of food from seed to table, thus bringing to life school subjects, including science, math, language, arts, and nutrition through engaging hands-on activities. It is exciting to see what is being done to sustain and share the history of our community, while not one thin dime of your USC taxpayer dollars contribute to this effort. The Historical Society is proud of its two major achievements: the first is as obvious as its mission—to educate the community about the importance of agriculture and to help everyone recognize modern agriculture practices; and, second, to educate the greater community—urban or rural—about the consequences of regional agriculture.
Jean Brown, chairman emeritus, Historical Society of USC, at Gilfillan on Community Day
The Gilfillan farm, buildings, and cattle are owned and operated by the Historical Society, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of public charity. The farm is designated by the U.S. Department of Interior as a “national historic place.” At its perimeter, Gilfillan’s 1.25-mile wood-chipped trail and natural park are maintained by the USC Public Works Department. Farming is hard work, but USC Community Day shows off a few seeds of fun at Gilfillan! Educational, this “hands-on” learning experience presents a glimpse into life on a working farm, including hand milking a cow, bottle feeding a calf, sheep shearing, and the ever-popular horse-drawn wagon ride reminiscent of days gone by. Creative crafts and interactive exhibits keep children busy. The Upper St. Clair community has pledged to protect its history and offers the opportunity to step back in time through Gilfillan.
New front stairs and balustrades meet USC’s safety building code upgrade requirements
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Fall 2013
At the granary are farmer Brendan Brown and Libby and Maddie Phillips