Upcoming Events
So Much in the Works!
We're putting the final details into multiple events through the rest of 2024 and into 2025. More info coming soon!
Bardic Inspiration: Spooky Edition
Friday, October 11, 7:00pm
Come to the thematically decorated mansion for recitations of classic spooky selections from the likes of Mary Shelley, Edgar Allen Poe, and William Shakespeare. If you dare, bring a poem, selection, or song of your own choosing (3 minutes or less, please)!
Please note the unusual evening start time!
Tickets are $5. We regret that cost often prevents people from participating in the arts; if this cost is prohibitive for you, please reach out to theatre@coleraincenter.org for a coupon code.
Historical Tours
Monday, October 21 1:00-4:00pm
Dave Petit, local historian and expert on the iron industry in Central Pennsylvania and on Colerain Forges in particular, will be your tour guide of the mansion and the grounds. More information
Each tour starts on the hour (at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00) and lasts about an hour. Please RSVP as each tour is limited to 8 people.
Suggested donation of $10 per person.
Socktober Fest!
Saturday, October 26 4:00pm, 6:30pm
Join us for an ages 21+ evening of seasonal silliness with Adam Swartz Puppets as their popular Beer & Puppets workshop meets their Socky Horror show with an interactive viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
A Colerain Christmas
Sunday, December 8
We're planning even more festive fun than last year!
Coming in 2025
Mulled Wine & Monologues will offer some warmth in the cold, dark months. Celtic Fest is expanding into a day long event later in the spring. We return to comedy with Much Ado About Nothing. Returning Artists-in-Residence will bring new ideas and workshop opportunities, while new artists are discovering how Colerain inspires them. Plans are underway for another Wellness Retreat. You know there will be lots of music! And many other things that are still in the planning stages. It's exciting!
About Colerain Forges Mansion
The History
The Environment
The Environment
Colerain Forges Mansion was built in the 1780s, with additions by the Ironmaster, David Stewart and his family in the 1830s through the 1860s. The estate includes the mansion and the stone house, built sometime in the 1760s, as well as 10 acres of historic formal gardens, including a boxwood maze, as well as woods and a significant stretch of beautiful Warriors Mark Run.
The Environment
The Environment
The Environment
Warriors Mark Run is a tributary of Spruce Creek, one of central Pennsylvania's premier trout fishing creeks. Our stretch of Warriors Mark Run has been virtually untouched for more than 30 years, preserving a healthy and diverse riparian ecosystem. It is currently part of an $800,000 grant to improve the entire watershed of the creek work
Warriors Mark Run is a tributary of Spruce Creek, one of central Pennsylvania's premier trout fishing creeks. Our stretch of Warriors Mark Run has been virtually untouched for more than 30 years, preserving a healthy and diverse riparian ecosystem. It is currently part of an $800,000 grant to improve the entire watershed of the creek working with US Fish & Wildlife, Western PA Conservancy, Trout Unlimited and other partners. When the work is done this will be a Class A Wild Brown Trout habitat. If you love fishing please contact us about a possible fishing membership.
The Gardens
The Gardens
The Gardens
The Historic Gardens at Colerain are undergoing constant renovations as we work to restore what was here and maintain what we've already preserved. Our latest project is reestablishing the 100 foot perennial border, the pride and joy of John Pekruhn whose family owned the estate from 1943 until 1988. Gardens need constant maintenance fo
The Historic Gardens at Colerain are undergoing constant renovations as we work to restore what was here and maintain what we've already preserved. Our latest project is reestablishing the 100 foot perennial border, the pride and joy of John Pekruhn whose family owned the estate from 1943 until 1988. Gardens need constant maintenance for watering and weeding to dividing perennials and planting annuals and bulbs. If you love gardening, consider becoming a volunteer.
The Arts
The Gardens
The Gardens
Colerain Forges Mansion has hosted musicians, actors and writers, providing a peaceful space that inspires creativity. The mansion has also served as a location for five films and a play. The Colerain Center sponsors an artist-in-residence program where writers, musicians, visual artists, and performers can come and stay in the mansion while working on specific projects.
Lend a Hand: Volunteers Welcome
Volunteer opportunities include helping with events, building trails, removing invasive plants, and restoring gardens. We are also working on the new meditation garden as well identifying archaeological sites for future research.