The city of Butler, PA, is a suburb of Pittsburgh with high-class entertainment and attractions that rival the big city. There’s a lot of rich culture in the area, as it was settled in the early 1800s and continues to preserve the city’s history for residents and visitors today. Fans of theater, sports, art and dining have lots to explore in Butler.
For seniors who want to live in a welcoming community with lots of entertainment to add to the calendar, the following are some of the top things to check out in Butler.
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1. Butler Little Theatre
The Butler Little Theatre is one of the oldest theater groups in both Pennsylvania and the U.S., with roots dating back to the 1920s. Today, the nonprofit theater is run by volunteers, who present full-stage productions of Broadway shows every few months and also teach student groups for student-run productions.
2. The Maridon Museum
The Maridon Museum in Butler is the only museum in the western Pennsylvania region that specifically focuses on Chinese and Japanese art with German Meissen porcelain. In addition to being able to view the art at the museum, visitors can keep an eye on the programs calendar, which features events like book club meetings, film series and collector series.
3. Musical Theatre Guild of Butler
Like the Butler Little Theatre, the Musical Theatre Guild of Butler is also a nonprofit community theater that specializes in the production of Broadway-style musicals. The theater’s members perform at venues like the Succop Theater and the William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall each spring, summer and fall.
4. The Little Red School House
The Little Red School House is one of the oldest schoolhouses in the country, constructed in 1838 as the first public school built in Butler. Today, the school is a living history museum that re-creates the one-room school experience. There are also group tours available by special arrangement.
5. hobnob theatre co.
The hobnob theatre co. presents a variety of theater productions throughout the Butler area and in its black box studio space on Main Street. Productions include Christmas holiday shows, plays like “The Importance of Being Earnest” and improv comedy shows.
6. Senator Walter Lowrie House
The Senator Walter Lowrie House is maintained by the Butler County Historical Society and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built by Butler’s only U.S. senator, Walter Lowrie, in 1828, and features structural and decorative restoration and furnishings. The site is now a house museum that’s open for weekly tours.
7. Butler County Symphony Orchestra
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra presents symphony performances throughout western Pennsylvania and holds annual auditions to join the group. Shows bring in guest performers and conductors from around the world and cover themes like “Romeo & Juliet,” “Mahler’s Titan” and “The Music of John Williams.”
8. Annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival
Did you know Butler is the “birthplace of the Jeep”? The American Bantam Car Company invented and developed the famous Jeep vehicle in Butler. Today, the city is home to the Annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. The festival features events like Jeep racing, poker runs, scenic park tours and nighttime trail rides.
9. Michelle Krill Memorial Field at Pullman Park
The Michelle Krill Memorial Field at Pullman Park hosts baseball games for the collegiate-level baseball Butler BlueSox team. The venue also hosts big events, like barbecue festivals and concerts.
10. Cooper Cabin
Cooper Cabin dates back to the 1810s and is a home that Samuel Cooper built and four generations of Cooper’s family lived in. Today, the site is an educational center that’s furnished with period pieces, memorabilia and family heirlooms. The site also includes a spring house and a spinning house, all available for seasonal tours.
11. The Butler Art Center & Gallery
Senior artists and art lovers should check out the Butler Art Center & Gallery, facilitated by the Associated Artists of Butler County. There’s so much to do and see at the venue, including art exhibits on subjects like digital media, live theater productions and murder mystery dinners.
The Butler Art Center & Gallery also hosts art classes in subjects like watercolor, wood turning, quilting and pottery. There’s also a drop-in portrait drawing club with live models, as well as brews and brushes paint parties. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or want to learn new skills, there are several classes a week and always-changing exhibits to check out.
12. Butler Italian Festival
Every year, Main Street in downtown Butler hosts the Butler Italian Festival, a celebration of Italian culture with delicious food, tasty drinks, lively music and tribute bands, and family-friendly entertainment, including a kids’ zone. There’s even a Butler County Star of Italy Pageant, a competition for girls ages 4 to 17, and a meatball eating contest. If you love Italian food, or you just want to have fun on Main Street, this event is one to mark on the calendar.
13. Butler Murals
A walk outside around downtown Butler always offers something new to see, because the city walls are covered in murals. There are dozens of murals to check out, painted by the “Walldogs,” a group of local painters and artists. See artwork that celebrates Butler historical figures, the legendary Jeep vehicle, murals dedicated to Butler industry and much more.
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More Enjoyable Activities at Lowrie Place
Seniors who live at Lowrie Place personal care and short-term care community get access to even more enjoyable activities and programming each day. At Lowrie Place, residents can look forward to:
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- Adult coloring
- Bingo
- Board games
- Card clubs
- Community outings
- Crossword puzzles
- Dominoes
- Exercise classes
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Live music
- Morning strolls
- Pizza and milkshake socials
- Trivia games
- Wheel of Fortune games
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These are just a few of the enjoyable activities residents can look forward to at this pet-friendly community, along with chef-prepared meals and restaurant-style service.
To find out more about Lowrie Place for yourself or a loved one, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.