“ Every year, the Barnyard Beer Benefit enables us to build our capital funds for the long‐term preservation of the Gilfillan Farm.”
“ I am not originally from Upper St. Clair and had never heard of the farm. There are also a number of people in the club who live in Upper St. Clair and had never heard of it,” explains Mihalek.“ So I decided to organize a tour of the farm for the club.”
On the tour with her family, she was struck by the beauty of the farm grounds— in particular the White Barn. Unique because it’ s a rare traditional Pennsylvania barn that was built into a hill for easy access, it was constructed through a barn raising.
Mihalek also took note when the tour guide mentioned the farm could be rented out for events.“ It was perfect for the party because it was gorgeous and in our own backyard. We took the ball and ran with it.”
The party was so successful that it
evolved into a community event. Last year, 400 were in attendance and more than $ 19,000 was raised for the farm.
Because of the enormous costs of preserving the farm, the funds are appreciated by the historical society.
“ Every year the Barnyard Beer Benefit enables us to build our capital funds for the long-term preservation of the Gilfillan Farm,” says Rachel Carlson, president of the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair and an eighth generation Gilfillan descendant.“ And every year the event gives us hope that the community cares about this historic place and partnering with the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair to see Gilfillan Farm preserved for future generations.”
This year proceeds will go toward the farm’ s smokehouse.
“ Every year, the Barnyard Beer Benefit enables us to build our capital funds for the long‐term preservation of the Gilfillan Farm.”
“ Our smokehouse is in desperate need of repair,” says Carlson. Arris Construction, a consulting and specialty construction company from Butler, is assisting in the plan to preserve and restore the building. Due to the historic nature of the property, and its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, the work needs to be done in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’ s standards.“ The goal is to preserve as much as possible, down to the smoke stains on the brick,” notes Carlson. The historic preservation work is estimated to cost $ 80,000.
“ The benefit brings new people to the Gilfillan Farm and I also love the atmosphere that it creates,” Carlson says.“ Despite hundreds of people in attendance, it’ s a relaxing night that feels like a gathering of family and friends.”
Mihalek is happy that people enjoy it.“ I hope the benefit is about the community celebrating itself,” she says,“ bringing in local craftsmanship at its best, feeling like you’ re someplace else( even though you’ re right down the street from your house), in another world or in another century, enjoying your neighbors and some good beer, good food and good music. Hopefully, we can raise more money for the farm. We just want to keep doing it so that future generations can enjoy the farm like we do.”
Volunteers are needed to help set up the benefit the day before, or assist with various tasks the day of. Visit the Facebook page at facebook. com / beerbenefit for more information on how to help and for ticket information. ■
Upper St. Clair | Spring 2017 | icmags. com 29