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October 24, 2006

CRUISIN’ THE COUNTY: Visit historic Harlansburg building that once catered to stagecoach travelers

By Lugene Hudson

Stagecoach travelers in the mid-1800s had a rest stop in Harlansburg.

After that, villagers shopped for groceries and later hardware in the same red brick building.

Today, it’s Janette’s Galleria. If you like to roam through room after room filled with elegant, beautiful treasures, this place is definitely full of worthwhile nuggets. Owned by Janet Whitmer, it’s an antiques store with collectibles and gifts.

There’s something about a screen door slamming that stirs up memories for those who remember such a sound. Step up on the inviting, wide porch and inside the door to pure nostalgia heaven.

A sign says, “Enter as strangers, leave as friends.”

Visitors only need to look around to discover the historic charm. Janet pointed out the stagecoach stop served the Erie/Pittsburgh route. The walk-in basement even had a barber shop and a pub, and is now a cottage room with nautical items. Signs of wear show in the steps where heavy items were delivered through the years.

The exterior brick and wooden floors are original. Altogether, there are four stories, including an attic. Of the 23 rooms, Janet uses 20 to show wares. It could be easy enough to get lost here. In fact, one customer did.

“People are fascinated by the building,” Janet said, adding it is well preserved. “We had a great time putting it all together. I start grouping things and before you know it, you have a theme.”

Each room is tastefully done, especially the window treatments designed by a drapery stylist. There’s a room just for locally-made soaps and a Georgian-style dining room with original light fixtures. Westmoreland milk glass catches the eye. And so do the fireplaces. I lost count.

The Christmas room houses a Sears-Roebuck organ, a Victorian-style tree and dolls attired in velvet. Touching is encouraged. With the sections Janet rents to artisans, this is literally stores within a store.

A room the size of some studio apartments is the galleria’s shining star. Within a gazebo of silky materials is a canopy bed and Victorian charm. The doily-design drapes are topped with fringe. One corner displays an Oriental section, and a wooden potty chair and vibrant quilt from 1891 are hard to miss.

“The room was so big it needed something like a gazebo,” Janet told me. “This is a fun job and the best part is arranging it.

Gazing at a brick inside wall in the basement made me ponder what this place looked like more than 150 years ago. One area has a wooden wringer washing machine and an iron knitting machine, and there is a room where lessons such as watercolor, soap making, stained glass making, quilting and sewing will be offered. The original beams are visible and Janet noted the brick was soft so two layers were required.

On the third floor is a children’s room that may have been servant’s quarters, Janet said. The Victorian ladies’ room is all about delicateness, white gloves and vintage gowns made of cloth called lawn. Curtains here are gathered in a twist and tied with silk cord. It’s feminine and pretty.

Janet’s favorite room is the red, black and white bathroom rented to someone who shows glitzy ladies’ items. This floor also has a doll room, bride’s room with a tiny closet, a kitchen and a library featuring men’s neckties and shelves of old cameras.

Old buildings such as this one have special character. You can easily be awestruck. There’s no denying I love big houses and the stories they could tell.

“This is a wonderful old house,” Janet smiled. “Everyone who walks out says they’ll be back.”

Wander is the key word. Take your time. Janet won’t mind. In fact, she welcomes it.

(To submit a Cruisin’ idea, contact Lugene Hudson at (724) 654-6651, extension 620 or lhudson@ncnewsonline.com.)

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