West Jefferson Hills Historical Society is delighted to announce the return of author and historian Dr. Todd DePastino to its podium. At his August program, Dr. DePastino will tell the story of the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion, a massive armed uprising and secessionist movement in the American West, which then included Pittsburgh. Sparked by Alexander Hamilton’s excise tax on whiskey in 1791, the rebellion was the first major test of the newly constituted federal government and is much misunderstood today. Come hear about the Mingo Creek Association, the proposed independent republic of Westsylvania, “Tom the Tinker,” and General John Neville, whose mansion was burned to the ground in the “Battle of Bower Hill.”

      Dr. DePastino is founder and executive director of the Veterans Breakfast Club, a non-profit dedicated to sharing veterans’ stories with the public. He is the author of the award-winning Bill Mauldin: A Live Up Front (W.W. Norton) and other books. He has a Ph.D. in American History from Yale University and lectures widely on American History topics. His authoritative account of “The Whiskey Rebellion,” presented at 7:00 P.M. on August  26, 2026 in the Community Rooms of the Jefferson Hills Borough Building, promises to inspire much interest and provide new insights into this engaging piece of American history.

Discover the story behind one of Pittsburgh’s most iconic sports symbols, the Terrible Towel, at the West Jefferson Hills Historical Society September program. Created by famed sports broadcaster Myron Cope in 1975, this piece of Pittsburgh iconography has endured through the years. It all began when Myron Cope encouraged Steeler fans to bring yellow dish towels to a Steeler playoff game against the Baltimore Colts and wave them throughout. Fans did as they were instructed, and the Steelers won the game. Had the magic created by the towel led to the victory? Some apparently thought so, and by 1976 the Steeler organization was producing a licensed towel for fans to purchase and wave at Steeler games. Fans still brandish this black and gold symbol of their team loyalty today, fifty years after its origins.

     Come to the Community Rooms of the Jefferson Hills Borough Building at 7:00 PM on September 23 to hear Elizabeth Cope share more particulars about the Terrible Towel as well as details about her life growing up as the daughter of the famous Pittsburgh broadcaster.

     Looking for a pleasant evening filled with turn-of-the-century music which was composed and played right here in Pittsburgh? Then, the West Jefferson Hills Historical Society is pleased to offer just what you are seeking. Local historian and musician, Brady Collins, will fit the bill with her October program "Pittsburgh Parlor Songs."

     In her presentation, Ms. Collins will discuss the Pittsburgh music publishing scene of the early Twentieth Century and highlight several songs of that era. These songs reflect the news stories, thoughts, and feelings of the time. The audience will not only hear the stories about songs such as My Youghiogheny Girl, In the Valley Where the Allegheny Flows, Pittsburgh, You're a Grand Old Town and others, but will also be able to enjoy the performance of several of them as well. Ms. Collins will bring a pianist or recordings so that the audience may enjoy the music about which she speaks in her program. 

     You don’t miss out on this delightful, free program presented at 7:00 PM, October 28 in the Community Rooms of the Jefferson Hills Borough Building.