Whiskey Rebellion Education & Visitor Center

In 1791 the young government of the United States, in a move to  pay off debts from the Revolutionary War, passed a tax on whiskey. This was strongly opposed by farmers who found that whiskey was easier to transport to market and more profitable than harvested grain. The tax was to be paid in cash which rural farmers rarely had. If taxes weren't paid and stills weren't registered the farmers were required to travel to federal court in Philadelphia. All of this was met with resistance by the farmers who refused to pay and often harassed tax collectors until they left town. 

In 1794 a group of Washington county farmers, led by Washington attorney David Bradford, marched towards Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attacked and burned the home of a tax inspector. With uprisings against the tax increasing, the federal government decided that a show of force was needed. George Washington personally led an army of 13,000 militiamen to western Pennsylvania and gave orders to suppress the rebellion and arrest the leaders. Most escaped into the mountains but the raid ended the violence. 

David Bradford fled south to present day Louisiana and lived there for the rest of his life. His house is across Main Street from the visitor center and open for tours but not accessible.

The small visitor center covers the rebellion from the causes to the aftermath. 

The visitor center is accessible.

There's an accessible on-street parking space in front of the museum where RVs will fit as long as the space behind it is empty.  Visitor Center  40.16811, -80.24459