AMERICAN HISTORY
Discover the home of the Nevilles
Begun in 1775 and completed in 1785 by General John Neville an American military officer, land speculator, and tax collector, Woodville (the John & Presley Neville House) is among Southwestern Pennsylvania’s oldest surviving homes and the site of a pivotal skirmish in the infamous Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s.
This National Historic Landmark, with its original house, reconstructed early 1800s barn, interpretive cabin and reproduction still is the region’s principal link to the late 18th century, interpreting the time period of 1780-1825. It documents the lives of the three families that resided there, the Nevilles (1775-1815), the Cowans (1815-1835), and the Wrenshalls (1835-1975).
Conveniently located just 8.4 miles southwest of Pittsburgh just off I-79, Woodville’s house, cabin, barn, and grounds are open seasonally on Sundays as well as for special events and programs. We invite you to become part of The Woodville Experience today.
EXTERIOR VIRTUAL TOUR
Explore the grounds of Woodville
Visitors can explore the architectural details of the home, including the mid-19th-century gothic revival treatments on the half-story windows and a porch ceiling cut-away that reveals an earlier generation of riven wooden shakes. The kitchen showcases historic log cabin construction techniques, offering insight into early craftsmanship.
Beyond the main house, the grounds feature several historically significant structures. The still house reflects Woodville’s role in early spirit production, while the garden, chicken coop, and bake oven provide a glimpse into daily life on the estate. The property also includes gravestones, a barn, and an enslaved cabin, each bearing witness to the lives of those who lived and worked at Woodville. Together, these elements tell a complex and compelling story of western Pennsylvania’s past.
“
As I got down before the canoe, I spent some time viewing the rivers, and the land in the fork, which I think extremely well situated for a fort, as it has the absolute command of both rivers.
November 24, 1753
Washington’s journal
INTERIOR VIRTUAL TOUR
Experience the rooms of Woodville
The Woodville mansion follows a classic hall and parlor floor plan, a design common for homes of its era and size throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Virginia. The first floor features two primary rooms: dining room, and the parlor, a space for family gatherings and entertaining guests. Separating these rooms is a central passage that runs the width of the house, accessible from both the front and rear doors.
Come and experience the historic charm of Woodville’s interior, where every room tells a story of the past.
