Friendship Hill facts for kids
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Friendship Hill National Historic Site
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The house of Albert Gallatin at Friendship Hill National Historic Site
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Springhill Township, Fayette County, PA, United States |
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| Nearest city | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Area | 675 acres (273 ha) |
| Visitation | 25,636 (2006) |
| Website | Friendship Hill National Historic Site |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000663 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 12, 1965 |
| Designated NHS | November 10, 1978 |
Friendship Hill was the home of an important early American leader named Albert Gallatin (1761–1849). He was a U.S. Congressman and served as the Secretary of the Treasury for a very long time under two presidents. He was also an ambassador to France and Great Britain.
His house sits on a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River. It is near Point Marion, Pennsylvania, about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh. Today, the National Park Service takes care of Friendship Hill. It is open to the public as the Friendship Hill National Historic Site.
Contents
Exploring Friendship Hill: What's Inside?
Friendship Hill is a large piece of land, about 675 acres (273 hectares) in size. It is located on the east side of the Monongahela River. The main house, also called the Albert Gallatin House, sits on the highest part of the property.
The house is actually made up of seven different parts. The oldest part is a brick house built in 1789. It was built in the Federal style, which was popular back then. It used a special brick pattern called a Flemish bond.
In 1798, a simple wooden house was added next to the brick one. Then, in 1823, Gallatin added the Stone House. This part is 3½ stories tall and is the biggest section of the whole house. Albert Gallatin's son, Albert Rolaz Gallatin, oversaw its construction.
The last part added during Gallatin's time was a stone kitchen in 1824. Later owners of the house added more sections. These included a State Dining Room in 1895, a south bedroom wing in 1902, and servants' quarters in 1903.
A Look Back: Friendship Hill's Story
Albert Gallatin was born in Geneva, Switzerland. He came to the United States in 1780. Soon after, he started buying land in western Pennsylvania and Virginia. In 1788, he bought the land and house that became Friendship Hill.
Gallatin sold the property in 1832 and moved to New York City. He had a long career helping the country. He was the United States Secretary of the Treasury for Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. He also served as the United States Ambassador to France.
Friendship Hill was recognized as a National Historic Landmark on January 12, 1965. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. At that time, it was still owned by private citizens. On November 10, 1978, it became a National Historic Site. Today, it is managed by Fort Necessity National Battlefield.
Images for kids
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The estate during winter, seen from the side.
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A look inside the historic estate.
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A sign from the National Park Service explaining the property's history.
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A thoughtful quote from Albert Gallatin, with the Monongahela River in the distance.
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The front view of the estate in summer.
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The estate seen from the back during summer.
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An extended view of the structure.
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The sitting room inside the home.
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Nearby fields around Friendship Hill.
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The entrance to Friendship Hill, with the estate visible on the far left.
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The front view of the estate during winter.
See also
