Settled in 1803 by the Overholt family, West Overton grew from a family farm into an industrial village. The historic site and museum preserve this history of agriculture and industry, while a modern distillery captures the spirit of West Overton’s whiskey history. With recent renovations, special events, and new programs, this is a perfect time to see West Overton Village for the first time — or plan a repeat visit!
Visit the Museum’s new Whiskey Heritage Center
From the early 1800s until Prohibition, the distillery at West Overton produced Monongahela rye whiskey. Today, the 1859 distillery / gristmill building is preserved as a Museum and is also home to the James B. Beam Pennsylvania Whiskey Heritage Center.
Within the Heritage Center, the Sam Komlenic Gallery is home to the largest public collection of Pennsylvania whiskey artifacts, including over 270 historic whiskey bottles representing dozens of renowned Pennsylvania brands. Additional artifacts such as barrels, crates, collectible items like playing cards and matchbooks, and a mural of beautifully designed historic labels, show the breadth of this successful Pennsylvania industry. In total, there are more than 400 objects represented in the gallery.
Another exciting space in the Whiskey Heritage Center is the Overholt Stateroom, a vintage-inspired bar and lounge. It is available to rent for private events.
A Taste of History at West Overton Distilling
West Overton Village is one of the few museums in the country with an operational distillery on site. Opened in 2020, West Overton Distilling produces its own brand of Monongahela rye whiskey. Learn about the history of whiskey at West Overton and in Pennsylvania while enjoying a tasting or cocktail. Bottles of rye are also exclusively available at the Distillery. Special pre-scheduled guided whiskey tastings are also available. Learn more here.
Upcoming events and programs
Shop over 75 local craft vendors at Spring Makers Market on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Grab a bite from food trucks and enjoy spring cocktails by West Overton Distilling. Kids will love the new petting zoo with Autumn Ridge Farm and face painting by Taylor McNeice.
Relax and enjoy live music, food trucks, and drinks at the Whiskey Wednesdays, hosted the second Wednesday of the month through October, 6-8 p.m. All ages are welcome!
Have fun with hands-on history at DIY History Weekend on July 19-20. Churn butter, make soap, create a tin-punched piece of art, and more!
Check out upcoming programs and events here.
New nature and gardening programs
Learn from expert naturalists, gardeners, and educators at our new program series. Discover the world of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and moths and how to make a pollinator-friendly habitat in your own yard. Forage for edible plants and learn how rye was cultivated at West Overton. See a full list of programs here.
This program series is part of our new Restoring Native Plants and Historic Gardens initiative. Restoring Native Plants and Historic Gardens at West Overton Village and Museum was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation administered through the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Laurel Highlands Mini Grant Program.
Plan your visit
Please see westovertonvillage.org for detailed hours of operation. Contact us to plan a group tour or field trip for students, scouts, and more.
Museum and guided tours at West Overton Village:
• Thursdays - Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
West Overton Distilling
• Thursdays - Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturdays - Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.