Friends of Historic Mt. Pleasant, Ohio

05/20/2026

The Mt. Pleasant Garden Club has been busy filling the flower boxes in front of our buildings! Look at these cute little flags they added this year! Thank you! We appreciate you so much and the work you all do keeping the flowers watered and looking pretty through the season.❤️💐

05/17/2026

One More Special Piece of Liberty Tea History…

As we reflected on yesterday’s wonderful Liberty Tea, we realized there was one fascinating piece of Mount Pleasant history we wished we had shared during the event.

In 1840, the Martha Washington Society was formed in Mount Pleasant as part of the growing temperance movement.

A beautiful flag made of Mount Pleasant silk was presented to the ladies of the society. One side carried the motto:

“Our cause is God’s, our course is onward.”

The other side declared:

“On female influence rests the destiny of man.”

What a remarkable connection to our Liberty Tea gathering—and a reminder of the important role women’s organizations played in shaping community life and reform movements in early America.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us as we celebrated history and fellowship.

05/17/2026

What a lovely afternoon we shared at our Liberty Tea!

A sincere thank you to everyone who attended, supported, volunteered, decorated, baked, served, visited, laughed, and helped make this event such a wonderful success. It was a joy to see the historic Samuel Gill House filled with friendship, conversation, and community spirit.

And can we talk about Martha Washington for a moment?

She was an absolute delight! From her stories and warm conversations to the laughter she brought to every table, she truly brought history to life in the most charming way. Guests even lined up for photographs beside our patriotic tea tree before the afternoon ended!

We are so grateful for the wonderful response to this event and for the continued support of the Historical Society and our efforts to preserve and share the stories of Mt. Pleasant.

Please enjoy a few photos from this special afternoon—and feel free to tag yourself and share your favorite moments with us! And if you had your photo taken with Martha, please share them in the comments below!

Tea. Fellowship. History.
A tradition worth sharing.

05/14/2026

We have reached our seating capacity! Thank you to all who responded and made reservations!

Wondering what awaits you on Saturday? Here’s a little glimpse…

Guests will enjoy a charming afternoon in the historic Samuel Gill House, surrounded by soft patriotic touches and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

A delightful tea menu includes a selection of sweet and savory favorites: Cucumber tea sandwiches, Italian pinwheels, deviled eggs, petit fours, raspberry-filled cookies, fresh scones, seasonal fruits, lemon curd cups, and more.

To sip & savor: Assorted hot teas and a refreshing pineapple lemonade punch.

Martha Washington will join us for a short presentation, then visit with guests at their tables—sharing stories, conversation, and a small “Liberty Tea” token to take home.

A setting rich in history
with subtle patriotic décor and the story of this historic site all around you, this is more than a tea—it’s a step back in time.

We look forward to seeing you!

05/03/2026

👒 Good morning!

We are delighted to share that our upcoming Liberty Tea on May 16 will include a very special appearance…

Martha Washington will be joining us for the afternoon. She is planning her visit and deciding on her attire.

Portrayed by one of our own beloved community members, Martha will offer reflections on life in early America—sharing thoughts on tea, hospitality, and the spirit of gathering during our nation’s founding years.

Following a short presentation, she will visit with guests, offering a personal touch to the experience as she shares stories and “Liberty Tea” with each table.

It promises to be a charming and memorable part of the afternoon—one that brings history to life in a truly special way.

Join us for tea, fellowship, and a step back in time.

Seating is limited—call Annette today at (740) 769-7805

05/02/2026

A special moment from yesterday…We always invite our guests to test the acoustics of the Meeting House—and this group blessed us with “Bind Us Together, Lord.” Take a listen. ❤️

05/02/2026

Yesterday, May 1, we kicked off our first tour of the season—and what a wonderful start it was!

We were delighted to welcome the Ohio Valley Christian Home Educators to Mount Pleasant. Families were divided into six groups and, with maps in hand and guidance from our docents, rotated through the village to explore each of our historic buildings. At every stop, they were greeted by volunteers who shared the stories that make Mount Pleasant so special.

It was a joy to spend the day with such engaged, thoughtful children and their families—we truly enjoyed every conversation.

A special thank-you to the Friends Church for graciously opening their doors, providing restrooms throughout the day and their social hall as a welcoming space for lunch. After the morning portion of the tour, everyone gathered there to enjoy their packed lunches, with a little time afterward for some families to relax at the playground before continuing on.

We’re so grateful you chose to spend your day with us—and we hope to see you again soon!

04/25/2026

Step Into History at Our Liberty Tea
As we prepare for our upcoming Liberty Tea on May 16, we wanted to share a glimpse into the remarkable history of the place where you’ll be gathering.

The tea will be held at the Historic Samuel Gill House (built in 1846)—a site deeply connected to Mount Pleasant’s abolitionist past and currently owned by the Mount Pleasant Friends Church.

Before this home was built, the property was the location of an earlier house belonging to Israel French Jr., a Quaker and active member of Benjamin Lundy’s Union Humane Society—one of the earliest abolitionist organizations in the country.

This site later became recognized as part of the Network to Freedom (NTF) in 2023, acknowledging its role in assisting freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad.

It was written that those fleeing oppression could find shelter here—often arriving under cover of night—and were “comfortably equipped and facilitated on their perilous journey,” despite frequent visits from those seeking to capture them.

As you arrive for the tea, you will pass by the original summer kitchen, still standing today—a quiet but powerful reminder of the lives and courage connected to this place.

Join us not only for tea, but for a meaningful connection to the stories that shaped our community and our nation.

Seating is limited—call Annette to reserve your spot at (740) 769-7805!

You don’t want to miss this! It will be fun!

Reservations required. Personal checks and PayPal ([email protected]) accepted.

04/23/2026

You don’t want to miss this! It will be fun!

Reservations required. Personal checks and PayPal ([email protected]) accepted.

04/11/2026

A new display at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Steubenville. Highlighted is the town of McIntyre, and Albi Cottage and the silk Industry in Mt. Pleasant. See pictures in the comments.