Rare documents exhibited at West Overton Village
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, West Overton Village and Museum in Westmoreland County will exhibit a set of rare historic documents this month.
The documents, preserved in West Overton Village’s archives, give a glimpse into the development of the United States from the colonial period to the Civil War.
The earliest document is a letter from Duquesne, governor general of New France, signed July 4, 1754.
Two Westmoreland County land documents from 1787 feature Benjamin Franklin’s signature, one of which was signed in June while he was attending the Constitutional Convention.
Several documents are signed by presidents including an 1824 land document signed by President James Monroe; an 1847 document appointing a diplomat to Denmark signed by President James Polk and Secretary of State James Buchanan; and an 1861 document signed by President Abraham Lincoln appointing the postmaster of Uniontown.
The documents will be exhibited only throughout July in the museum at West Overton Village.
The museum is open Thursdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about West Overton Village, go online to www.westovertonvillage.org