A family has purchased the Old Stone Tavern in Pittsburgh’s West End neighborhood, promising to preserve and restore the historic site, according to city officials.
City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, whose district includes the West End, identified the buyers as Barbara and Steve Porter and their son Robert Porter. They could not be reached.
Old Stone Tavern, located on Greentree Road, dates back to at least 1782. The tavern served over 100 Revolutionary War soldiers and is believed to be the oldest commercial building in Pittsburgh, according to the nonprofit Old Stone Tavern Friends Trust.
The trust, led by Norene Beatty, has advocated for the building’s preservation and restoration.
Beatty said group members “look forward to supporting the Porters in their endeavor to restore the tavern and give rebirth to the West End of Pittsburgh.”
City officials said they also are prepared to support the family in its efforts to restore the historic site.
“We are committed to continuing to work with the Porters and the future elected officials to see this project through to completion,” Kail-Smith said.
“I want to thank the Porters for purchasing the Old Stone Tavern and working with the (Old Stone Tavern Friends Trust) to preserve the important history of the West End,” Mayor Bill Peduto said. “My administration was pleased to bring together a collaborative team to help make this vision a reality.”
The new owners have “committed to the preservation of the Old Stone Tavern,” Kail-Smith said, but are not ready to publicly announce detailed plans for the site. She said engineers and architects have told the new owners they will be able to preserve the building, though “time is of the essence.”
