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Contact Information
(724) 538-8818
Or send us mail:
Providence Plantation Foundation
300 Textor Hill Road,
Evans City, PA 16033
Our Mission
Our goal is to be the Area’s number 1 resource for historical education
and living history presentations of America’s first frontier.
We believe that through a rich variety of non-traditional educational techniques, first person
presentations, storytelling, drama and entertainments; students in schools, public, private or
home-schooled, as well as adults, can
Learn from the people who made America,
what it means to be an American today.
Our board is committed to aggressively achieving this goal
through research, documentation and training.
History of Providence Plantation
Providence Plantation Foundation grew out of the love of early American
history. President and CEO Dr. Carl Robertson and his wife, Jeanne's dream began approximately 20 years ago. After
visiting historic Williamsburg, 18th century historic sites in the tri-area and re-enactment events they attempted a "Colonial
Fair" on their 40+ acre farm in rural Evans City. Their Fairs were highly successful for four years, then health issues
effected both Carl & Jeanne. In June of 2002 they again pursued their dream of a premier living history center and
formed "Providence Plantation, Inc", dba as The Providence Plantation Foundation, a 501-c-3, non-profit organization.
Since that time the Plantation has grown with the addition of a
formal stable, summer kitchen, smokehouse and dairy. A primitive log cabin is under construction with further additions
planned.
We are always looking for volunteers to help in construction, fund
raising, first person interpretation, and planning. Our goal is to be the tri-states leading 18th Century Living History
Center. If you have an interest we have a spot for you.
We are working to provide quality educational programs to
our young through outreach programs. Our Outreach programs provide in-school presentations by professionally
trained persons who employ strategies for student hands-on participation, energetic interaction, and creative application
of issues identified as meaningful for living in America today. In many classes, these presentations include costumed presenters
who allow students to see the history through the eyes of those who experienced it, and provide questions and answer sessions.
In relating the frontier experiences of American whites, Indians and Blacks, the goal is to learn from the past, vital lessons
for today
Meet our President and Board of Directors: President & CEO - Dr. Carl
F. Robertson Board Members: Chairman - Lewis "Skip" Colussy James Krewatch Wayne Seibel Joyce Owens
Commendations of Area Leaders & Organizations regarding
The Providence Plantation Foundation
The
PNC Charitable Trust Foundation for the Remmel Foundation recently recognized the unique programs offered by the Providence Plantation Foundation
by awarding the Foundation a grant of $15,000 to underwrite historical research and writing on 18th Century Western
Pennsylvania. Dr. Robertson’s book, ‘Slaves in the Woods’
is partially funded by this grant. The book is in its final stages of composition
and is expected to be published this year.
George
L. Miles, President and CEO, WQED Multimedia, Pittsburgh
“The Providence Plantation Foundation is bringing living history to a new [African American] audience in the
region. Their vision and mission expands upon traditional teaching methods to bring to life the 18th century and
a history of this region that has not been celebrated until now. Through their
efforts, the people of southwestern Pennsylvania will have a more complete understanding of multiculturalism in local history.”
Lawrence
Glasco, Ph.D., Professor of Black History, the University of Pittsburgh
“We greatly enjoyed the Providence Plantation living history presentations on the 18th century black
experience in western Pennsylvania. I plan to have your interpreters’ back next school year. In our follow up class
we had the most stimulating discussion of the entire semester, thanks to your interpreters’ meaningful portrayals of
black persons on the frontier.”
Laura
Fisher, Director, French & Indian War, 250, Inc., Allegheny Conference, Pittsburgh “I am impressed by what I saw during
my recent visit to Providence Plantation. It is not only an important historical interpretive site,
but also a filmmaking set. It has plans for historical documentaries and DVDs, and to extend its outreach across the Nation
through electronic field trips. Providence Plantation could become a major draw
for tourism in our region in the years to come. I highly recommend its vision for your financial support.”
See the Tribune Review article about Providence Plantation.
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