The Westmoreland Conservancy was founded by a group of
conservationists who wanted to save from development one of the last
remaining large parcels of land in the most densely populated areas of
Murrysville. This was the Kellman property, which had been actively
farmed until the mid-60's by Fred Kellman and his daughter, Lillian.
Lillian Kellman continued to live on the family farm long after her
parents died. Much had changed during her lifetime. Adjoining farms
were sold off to developers, leaving Lillian's farm as the last open
space remaining in the most densely developed part of Murrysville.
Continuing problems of finding enough money to pay her taxes finally
proved to be too much for her and the court assigned an attorney to settle her
affairs.
Neighbors realized that Lillian's problems were real when a public
hearing was called to consider changing the zoning from S-1 (special
conservation) to R-2 (residential dwellings on half acre
lots). Fifty seven acres was about to be converted into a sea of
houses.
The realization that this precious open space was about to disappear
catalyzed the surrounding neighbors into action. A committee called
Save Open Space, or S.0.S., was formed to galvanize public support to
preserve the Kellman farm as a nature reserve. On June 5, 1991 the
Westmoreland Conservancy was formed as a private foundation with
provisional 501 (c)(3) status.
An agreement was reached with the municipality to work together in
obtaining the funding needed to purchase the Kellman farm. Over the
course of the next two years, over $345,000 was raised from
individuals, local businesses, foundations, and state grants. In
addition, the municipality took on the responsibility and cost of
maintaining a curtilage for Lillian to continue living on her farm for
the remainder of her life. The developer who had hoped to purchase the
Kellman farm if it were rezoned graciously bowed out when it became
evident that the overwhelming majority wanted to see this open space
preserved as a nature reserve. A newspaper account at the time
referred to the brigade that launched the drive to Save Open Space as
"housewives in slippers" which was not too far from the truth.
Potter's Corner
The 3.23 acres of what is now Potter's Corner was deeded to the Westmoreland Conservancy by William J. Potter on April 20, 2001. Mr. Potter sold the land to the Conservancy at a bargain sale price of $45,000. The PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) awarded a grant for this property in the amount of $34,000 from the Department's Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which is a combination of funding sources from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Keystone), the Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act (Growing Greener) and Pennsylvania Recreational Trails funds.
The reserve preserves a sensitive ecosystem, enlarges the King Nature
Reserve, and provides a wonderful educational opportunity,
particularly to the young people of Sloan elementary school, who can
access the trail from school property. Three eagle scout projects were
completed in this reserve: One by
Benjamin
Lombard, who made an educational trail through the reserve to Sloan school, another by
Scott
Ackmann, who built a bridge across Pearson Creek, and also Tim
Forrester also did an eagle scout project in Potter's Corner and
several other Westmoreland Conservancy reserves- He and his fellow
scouts constructed deer exclosures- to measure the effect of deer browsing on vegetation.
More... Vision for an Educational Natural Area Achieved; with help from Local Eagle Scouts
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In 1993 the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy referred two parcels of
land in Murrysville to the Westmoreland Conservancy. The owners were
interested in having them remain as open space in remembrance of the
their ancestors.
Walter Reserve
One of the parcels of land refered to us by the Western Pennsylvania
Conservancy was a 29 acre parcel that had been a part of farm owned
by Patricia Walter's grandparents. Ms. Walter who lives in nearby
Wilkins Township gave it to the Westmoreland Conservancy as a
beneficial gift.
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King Reserve
Another of the parcels of land refered to us by the Western Pennsylvania
Conservancy was a 95-acre parcel that had been in the
King Family since 1879. It is adjacent to the Crowfoot Rod and Gun
Club that when taken together comprise 220 acres of open space in the
center of Murrysville. All around it are residential areas.
Mrs. Marjorie King Saco, who lives in Maryland, had rejected earlier
offers to buy her property, fearful that it would be developed. She
agreed to sell it to the Westmoreland Conservancy on a bargain sale
basis at less than fair market value for $150,000. We raised $40,000
from individual contributors and obtained a Pennsylvania DCNR grant
for $84,000 to help defray the cost of the purchase. The municipality
contributed by building a small parking lot. Also, cash was donated
by the Crowfoot Rod and Gun Club.
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Tomer Reserve
The heirs of a local artist, Barbara Holzshu Tomer, gave the Westmoreland
Conservancy an 18-acre parcel of land in remembrance of their
mother. This parcel was part of a larger holding that originally had
been targeted for subdivision.
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Flinn Reserve
One of our Conservancy members asked a local real
estate agent to be on the lookout for a parcel of land
that could be subdivided into a building site and a
larger plot for gifting to the Conservancy. After
locating a suitable parcel, the agent contacted the
owners who live in California telling them what the
prospective buyer had in mind. The owners, Paul and
Mary Ellen Finn who had lived in Murryville twenty
years earlier, liked the idea so much that they gifted
their twenty-acre parcel to the Conservancy to create
the Flinn Nature Reserve on Boxcartown Road.
While living in Murrysville the Flinns bought a
62-acre parcel from the estate of Mildred V. Keister.
In 1806 Mildred's ancestors bought lot number 18, a
481-acre parcel, from the George Woods subdivision in
1784 of the Manor of Denmark which encompassed 5772
acres. It was the last of the 92 manors to be sold
off under the Divesting Act of 1779 that were owned by
John and Richard Penn, sons of William Penn, founder
of Pennsylvania.
An account
of the Flinn Reserve.
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McGinnis Reserve
In 1993 Gerald and Audrey McGinnis bought a 51-acre
parcel that had been part of the Wallace farm. They
gifted it to the Conservancy in 2000 to establish the
McGinnis Nature Reserve. The Wallace Family was among
the early settlers of the region. David Wallace
married at 35, purchased 154.36 acres from John Nesbit
in 1833 when he was 40 and with his wife Margaret
raised six children. Samuel Hilty built a substantial
stone house for him in 1854 when he was 61. In his
will of 1869, David Wallace refers to his stone house
as a "mansion." Stone farmhouses are comparatively
rare in Western Pennsylvania. There are only two
examples standing in Murrysville. The Stone House and its
five-acre curtilage are NOT apart of the nature reserve.
An account of the Wallace House.
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All of our reserves are freely open to the public for the enjoyment of
nature. No structures, roads nor athletic playing facilities are
permitted. Trails are made for the enjoyment of visitors.
Since our founding in 1991, the Westmoreland Conservancy has been
instrumental in the preservation of 270 acres of open space for the
enjoyment of future generations. The Kellman Reserve is now a part of
the Municipal Park system. The remaining 216 acres are owned and
maintained by the Conservancy. A total of 118 acres are the result of
beneficial gifts. As an organization, the Westmoreland Conservancy is
dedicated to preserving rural and rustic open spaces for the benefit
of community residents. The generosity of the community and the
friends of Murrysville is making that goal a reality.
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