West Overton Village and Museums in East Huntingdon Township is a historic village, and thousands visit each year.
For decades now, those filling the shoes of the executive director position have tried to enhance the site -- looking at plans to renovate the facility and make it once again into an operating village.
New Executive Director Barbara G. Perlstein plans to continue on a path to achieve that goal.
"When I first came here to interview, I was just overwhelmed with the history of this place and how unique it was," Perlstein said.
Perlstein took over as executive director July 5. "She's well experienced and educated and she'll be a wonderful asset," said Mary Ann Mogus, president of the West Overton board.
Mogus said that Perlstein's list of achievements and educational background will serve as a sound basis for progress.
Perlstein lists among her achievements receiving the Pennsylvania Archaeology Council Award for preservation of a historic native American site, funding and producing two PBS documentaries, an award from the USDA Allegheny National Forest Service for Collaborative Stewardship and Public Education on a nationally designated wild and scenic river and a recognition from the state Legislature for living history programs.
Perlstein attended the Conservatory of Music at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and earned a bachelor of arts in art history from Seton Hill College in Greensburg, and a master's degree in administration and planning from the University of Pittsburgh.
Perlstein completed a summer program at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass.
Perlstein says her visions for West Overton are broad. She hopes to see a complete transformation of the tiny village. But she is realistic knowing that much funding and labor are needed to reach this goal.
"My idealistic vision is to see the properties totally restored, but we have to go about it in a very structured and slow manner."
Perlstein is studying the restoration of the Christian Overholt property, one of the larger homes in the village that has sat empty for many years. She is considering moving the office and information areas to the Overholt property.
But the vision does not stop there.
"I want to see this become a place that people come to and have events at and to see people become more involved in," Perlstein said. "I'd like to see the storefronts all manned to make it look more like there's life here and to have something going on in the village at all times. I'd like to see it be fun but also historic."
Perlstein plans to research the possibility of bringing farm animals back to the village, restoring the historic heritage gardens, adding more shade trees and benches, and restoring the coke ovens on the property.
She would like to use the Internet to feature the historic site more, such as listing gift shop items and upcoming events.
"There are a lot of small things that we can do that will really add to the place -- build little walkways and add trees and plants, so the visitors can visualize how it was and see the heart of it," she said.
Perlstein hopes visitors will take advantage of what is available at the site -- such as the genealogical library and research.
"We really need to get the message out to the public of what a unique and wonderful place that this really is," Perlstein said. "I love history, and it's hard not to get excited about this place. I'm enchanted with it here, truly enchanted, and I can't wait to see what we can do."
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