Saegertown Heritage Society

The Saegertown Heritage Society is seeking funds to complete renovations of the historic Saeger House located at 375 Main Street, Saegertown, Pennsylvania, at the traffic light intersection of Main Street and Erie Street. The Greek Revival, two-story, Saeger House was originally constructed by Edward Saeger in 1845 and was the home of Sagers and two of the town doctors, Doctor Henry Smith and his son, Doctor Rodney Smith, for 119 years. The Smiths added onto the house by constructing a pharmacy. The house has had few renovations with the original architectural features remaining. The house has the original stone foundation, eight fireplaces, servants’ quarters with a back stairway, original hardware on doors and cabinets, original glass in the windows, and, most remarkably, the original hardwood flooring. Shelving still remains in the basement for storing canned food jars. The Saeger House is truly a community treasure!

The Heritage Society purchased the house in July 2024 with the intention of completing interior renovations and moving the Saegertown Area Historical Museum into the house in June 2025. Through the generous support of local funding agencies, business, and individuals, renovations began immediately after purchase in July 2024. Contractors completed necessary landscaping, roof repairs, structural repairs, electrical upgrades, and minor plumbing upgrades. The Heritage Society has received in-kind services for refinishing the doors and a pest inspection. Volunteers, first removed unwanted furniture, cleaned, then renovated two parlors, an office room, the original keeping room, three bedrooms and the former Doctor Smiths’ pharmacy. The work included stripping wallpaper, patching damaged walls, various carpentry upgrades, scraping woodwork, removing interior doors, painting and lots of cleaning. However, because of an emergency roof repair, and various unforeseen expenses, the Heritage Society is facing a budget shortfall of $10,000. We are asking for donations to get the house in condition for a Grand Opening in June 2025. The money will be used for the following tasks:

Restoration of hallways and the grand stairway

Renovation of the downstairs bathroom

Renovation of the kitchen

Gutting and renovation of an upstairs bedroom

Linoleum flooring in the public bathroom, former pharmacy and the modern kitchen

Refinishing of the hardwood floors

Remove and refinish front entryway doors for first and second floors

Restore the Summer Kitchen addition

Level and put new walls in the back entryway

Outside painting and window repair

Additional landscaping

The Heritage Society has a small volunteer membership with no paid employees. Donations are tax-deductible, as the group has 501©(3) status. The need is urgent. Help us restore this community treasure to its former glory and preserve it as a museum for future generations.