The story of this family reveals a way of life and struggle for survival common to those who first settled Western Pennsylvania. Most of these frontier farmers were Scotch-Irish immigrants, some were Scottish, Welsh, and German descent. In 1927 Allegheny County purchased the 65.286 acres of property that still belonged to the Miller family along with neighboring properties to become South Park.
A two-story log house was built in 1988 as a reminder of the first Miller home. In 1991 a fully equipped blacksmith’s forge was built on the grounds where volunteer blacksmiths demonstrate the making and repairing of basic items used on a farm. Beyond the forge is a demonstration shed where one might find a chair maker, hornsmith, or cooper at work.
Among the many gardens on the property is the Constant Garden, which is a kitchen garden in back of the Stone House, and Emily’s Garden, a woodland wildflower garden. Several other areas are planted with cooking and medicinal herbs, while farm crops can be found in small plots in the field below the Homestead.
Families gathered here to worship before there was a church or a minister.
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