Millie Pipman wanted to track the origins of New Kensington’s Little Girl Scout House off Oates Boulevard, but her search was coming up short, so she tapped a local history buff for help.

Bill Englert was able to uncover archival newspaper articles about the city buying the land, which at the time was part of Lower Burrell, in 1933 and the structure’s dedication as the Little Girl Scout House in 1934.

Pipman is a member of the Massy Harbison-Fort Hand Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She and Englert are both members of the Tri-City Historical Society but, she said, the Girl Scout house project is an independent endeavor.

Despite his findings, Englert said some questions remain unanswered.

Still searching for details, he hopes to find out when and for how much the city bought the house. He’s also hoping to unearth original design plans for it.

“I think local history in general is good to know — where you came from and what people did before you,” Englert said.

Pipman said she was thrilled with the history Englert had found so far.

“I think it’s fabulous we are finding out what the Girl Scout Little House is,” Pipman said.

She is hoping to have some of the information available at the local DAR chapter’s July 19 dedication of the Massy Harbison Cabin, which is on the same property as the Little Girl Scout House.

Eventually, Englert said, it would be nice to get informational displays about the history in the house itself.

Girl Scout houses were a rage between the 1920s and ‘40s Englert said.

Historically, little houses were meeting grounds to teach Girl Scouts about practical skills, community building, hospitality and homemaking, among other things.

“It used to be a focal point for all the Girl Scout meetings,” Englert said. “I remember my sister going there.”

Pipman said she’d like to put together some pamphlets about different points in local history, such as the Little House, to put around the city.

“We’re not really on the map, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could be on the map,” Pipman said.

Pipman said anyone with information regarding the house’s history, can reach out to her at dash@verizon.net.