THE FORMER HOME OF THE WEST OVERTON DISTLLING CO. IS NOW A TWO-STORY MUSEUM ABOUT THE FAMILY BUSINESS, THE AREA’S HISTORY AND PENNSYLVANIA WHISKEY. | PHOTO BY SEAN COLLIER

A family moved to Westmoreland County from Eastern Pennsylvania some 225 years ago. It was a time of frequent westward expansion, and many families followed similar paths to settle in Pittsburgh and its surrounding counties. For most families, that move would be of immense personal importance but no particular historical note.

The Overholts are an exception. When they settled between present-day Scottdale and Mt. Pleasant, they were unknowingly staking a claim not only on a beautiful piece of land but also on a sizable amount of history.

A PORTRAIT OF ABRAHAM OVERHOLT IN HIS FORMER HOMESTEAD. | PHOTO BY SEAN COLLIER

Today, that site is West Overton Village, a cluster of buildings on the site of what was a thriving distillery, farm and center of business. The Overholts’ distillery flourished, leading to the establishment of what was then an early example of a company town and the development of neighboring Scottdale. The business would grow and eventually diversify into coke production, continuing to rise with Western Pennsylvania’s industrial boom.

You can visit West Overton Village and tour the family’s homestead, a fascinating museum that provides snapshots of time periods from its earliest days to renovations throughout the years. There are several remarkable artifacts in this building, but the most profound experience is simple: If you step onto the front porch, you can survey the landscape and quickly imagine how it might have looked more than a century ago.

THE 1838 OVERHOLT HOMESTEAD. | PHOTO BY SEAN COLLIER

The dominant feature from that viewpoint is the former distillery building, now home to the museum portion of West Overton Village. Inside, there’s a fascinating look at the lives lived and work done in the village; not content merely to tell the Overholt family story, this museum spotlights everyday workers and others who built the place. (The mock general store, complete with original ledgers, is particularly evocative.)

When you finish the two floors of the museum — the second contains an impressive collection of Pennsylvania whiskey bottles throughout history, including early examples of “Old Overholt,” the brand still made today by Suntory, the owners of Jim Beam — you can enjoy a drink. While the specific recipe for Monongahela Rye is lost to history, you can sip best-guess recreations at the educational distillery on the property; these whiskeys are absolutely worth tasting in a flight, but seasonal cocktails are available as well.

BOTTLES OF PENNSYLVANIA WHISKEY INSIDE THE WEST OVERTON VILLAGE MUSEUM. | PHOTO BY SEAN COLLIER

By the way, there’s another small building adjacent to the homestead. It was once the home of an immigrant farmer named John, who married Elizabeth Overholt, making the then-uncommon leap from the working class into a powerful family. In that small building, Elizabeth would welcome her second child.

The loving parents would name their son Henry Clay Frick.

So, yes: There’s a lot of history around here.

That sense of time stretching toward you will not fade as you check into South Broadway Manor, a 1904 mansion converted into a welcoming bed-and-breakfast. Proprietor Pat Hill has collected antiques and vintage furnishings to fill this impressive residence; some rooms even feature historic military regalia. Ask to see another archeological find: bottles of pre-Prohibition whiskey that were stashed in a sealed-off portion of the basement, found when Hill renovated a century later.

After you eat a hearty breakfast at South Broadway Manor — best enjoyed in the beautiful backyard, weather permitting — you can walk on the 5-mile Coal & Coke Trail, a beautiful woodland trail that follows paths laid when the Overholt family expanded into coke production. If you’re spry enough to handle the full out-and-back trail, you’ll work up quite an appetite; fortunately, the perfect place for big appetites can be found in the heart of Scottdale.

A COWBOY STANDS GUARD AT BEL AIR ANTIQUES ON PITTSBURGH ST. IN SCOTTDALE. | PHOTO BY SEAN COLLIER

Carson’s Tavern is at once impressively longstanding for a bar and relatively new compared to much of the town; in business since 1982, it has fed generations. Indulge in your favorite filling fare; try the wings or the decadent Scottdale Spuds with sour cream.

There are also a number of good places to eat in Mt. Pleasant (see sidebar), but dinner at Carson’s puts you next door to the center of Scottdale’s cultural life. The Geyer Performing Arts Center has provided culture and entertainment to the community since 1900, when it opened as the Geyer Opera House; it spent most of the 20th century as a cinema before being reborn as a performance space in 1987.

Today, it serves both roles. Films are screened at the stately theater — but only between the in-house productions. Musicals at the Geyer Performing Arts Center punch above their weight, featuring impressive rosters of talented performers giving heart-on-their-sleeve turns. Look for upcoming productions of “Oliver” (Nov. 20-23) and a musical adaptation of “It’s a Wonderful Life” (Dec. 11-14), as well as screenings of holiday favorites such as “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (Nov. 29) and “The Polar Express” (Dec. 6).

Speaking of movies, if the Geyer is dark on the night of your visit, head to Mt. Pleasant to enjoy another longstanding entertainment destination. The Evergreen Drive-In Theatre just wrapped its 78th season; from spring through October (dates vary by year), they show double-features of first-run features in a pleasant, hilltop setting. Arrive hungry; in addition to standard concession-stand fare, the Evergreen is known for its hot food. The grilled hot-sausage sandwich is a favorite.

Historical sites from the 1800s, theaters and hotels from the early 1900s, a 78-year-old drive-in, a 43-year-old tavern — this area is exceptionally good at keeping its cultural and civic treasures alive. It makes for a vibrant community and an excellent weekend getaway.

Where to Stay

Your goal should be to stay at the aforementioned South Broadway Manor; in addition to the remarkable building and friendly service, it’s more affordable than many similar inns. If the South Broadway Manor is booked, there’s a Holiday Inn Express between Scottdale and Mt. Pleasant and several hotels and motels in nearby Connellsville.

Where to Eat

Carnivores will delight at a visit to Gorky’s Smokin’ Grill in Mt. Pleasant. Order the ribs and your sauce of choice; platters come with even more meat, so you’ll leave full. (If you can manage, leave a bit of room for dessert.) Make dinner plans at Tuscan Table & Tavern; you’ll find a full menu of Italian favorites, burgers and classic cocktails. If you have a hearty appetite, go for the gnocchi flight, featuring the comforting pasta dish served with a trio of sauces. There’s plenty for beer lovers in Mt. Pleasant, as well, including a taproom from Helltown Brewing and the always-busy bar and restaurant The Filling Station, which boasts more than 200 varieties of canned and bottled beer. For coffee rather than beer, get comfortable at Bad Rabbit Café and Roastery in Scottdale, an inviting and spacious coffee shop filled with books, board games, seasonal drinks and baked goods. You’ll be so content at Bad Rabbit that you’ll find it difficult to leave — and, if you’ve booked an appropriately leisurely trip, why bother?

When to Go

Usually held on back-to-back weekends in the autumn, the Scottdale Fall Festival and the Glass & Ethnic Festival in Mt. Pleasant showcase local vendors, artisans and more in weekend-long celebrations. Both provide a nice anchor for a journey and might even coincide with the onset of fall foliage, at which time the Coal & Coke trail will be particularly vibrant.