The society is located within the Greer Residence (1904-05), which was originally constructed by George and Alice White Greer.
As a tin manufacturer, George Greer, built his home overlooking the city and its tin mills.
Greer was born in Neshannock Township, Pennsylvania north of New Castle, in 1844.
The family farm remains close to the King’s Chapel United Methodist Church where the family worshipped.
But George didn’t confine himself to being a successful farmer.
He began importing Shorthorn Durham cattle in 1867 and throughout his life retained his prize cattle even as he became a tin mill owner.
George’s only brother, Charles, opened a music store in New Castle, and in the early 1890s the brothers undertook joint ventures in the city.

George and Charles opened the New Castle Steel and Tin Plate Company in 1893.
It grew from four hot mills to 20 and became so successful it was known locally as “Greer’s Tin Mill.”
George took over the Shenango Valley Steel Company’s tin mill during its construction in New Castle in 1899.
This facility ultimately had 30 mills.
By the turn of the century, New Castle’s 50 tin mills employed 3,500 men and the city’s population hit 40,000.
In 1908, United States Steel purchased both companies and George retired to pursue his banking and manufacturing investments, ranging from automobiles and cattle to cement.
In 1904, George commissioned local architect Frank Harold Foulk.
to design his home at the northeast corner of North Jefferson and East Lincoln streets.
The lot was initially part of his wife’s family farm.
Foulk created a large Colonial Revival house, probably inspired by McKim, Mead & White’s 1886 Newport “cottage” for industrialist Henry Augustus Coit Taylor.
The Greer house has beautiful leaded glass throughout, befitting Greer’s board membership of the nationally known H.C. Fry Glass company in Rochester, Beaver County.
The outstanding glass is further enhanced by an unattributed figure window, on the stair landing, of King David playing his lyre.
This stained glass window has the layered glass and coloration of the Tiffany Studio, but has not yet been attributed.
Although built for a childless married couple, the house has generous proportions but is not outrageously elaborate.
The living room features a piano for George, who was active in the musical aspects of the First Methodist Church of New Castle.
The quite large third floor is open across the front to allow for parties and musicales.
All the rooms retain their original wood trim, window seats, and fireplace surrounds.

George and Alice were married 61 years, and although they had no children of their own, they adopted their niece, Charles’ daughter Amanda “Pansy” Greer, so she could inherit their estate. (
Charles Greer’s house was next door, so Pansy never had to travel far.)
She was married in her Uncle George’s house.
In a wedding photo, the bride is seated between her two “fathers” while the groom stands with other family members behind them.
Pansy inherited the house in 1926 when both her aunt and uncle coincidentally died on the same day, Alice of a lingering illness in New Castle, and George after surgery in Baltimore.
Pansy, her husband Robert Love, and their four children lived in the house until 1965, when the contents were sold at auction.
Only one piece of original Greer family furniture remains in the house, a sideboard in the dining room.
Ironically, it was built for the local tin mill master, but donated to the city of New Castle by a former tin mill worker, Joseph Clavelli, in 1982.
The society is located within the Greer Residence (1904-05), which was originally constructed by George and Alice White Greer. As a tin manufacturer, George Greer, built his home overlooking the city and its tin mills. Greer was born in Neshannock Township, Pennsylvania north of New Castle, in 1844. The family farm remains close to the King’s Chapel United Methodist Church where the family worshipped. But George didn’t confine himself to being a successful farmer. He began importing Shorthorn Durham cattle in 1867 and throughout his life retained his prize cattle even as he became a tin mill owner. George’s only brother, Charles, opened a music store in New Castle, and in the early 1890s the brothers undertook joint ventures in the city. 
George and Charles opened the New Castle Steel and Tin Plate Company in 1893. It grew from four hot mills to 20 and became so successful it was known locally as “Greer’s Tin Mill.” George took over the Shenango Valley Steel Company’s tin mill during its construction in New Castle in 1899. This facility ultimately had 30 mills. By the turn of the century, New Castle’s 50 tin mills employed 3,500 men and the city’s population hit 40,000. In 1908, United States Steel purchased both companies and George retired to pursue his banking and manufacturing investments, ranging from automobiles and cattle to cement. In 1904, George commissioned local architect Frank Harold Foulk. to design his home at the northeast corner of North Jefferson and East Lincoln streets. The lot was initially part of his wife’s family farm. Foulk created a large Colonial Revival house, probably inspired by McKim, Mead & White’s 1886 Newport “cottage” for industrialist Henry Augustus Coit Taylor. The Greer house has beautiful leaded glass throughout, befitting Greer’s board membership of the nationally known H.C. Fry Glass company in Rochester, Beaver County. The outstanding glass is further enhanced by an unattributed figure window, on the stair landing, of King David playing his lyre. This stained glass window has the layered glass and coloration of the Tiffany Studio, but has not yet been attributed. Although built for a childless married couple, the house has generous proportions but is not outrageously elaborate. The living room features a piano for George, who was active in the musical aspects of the First Methodist Church of New Castle. The quite large third floor is open across the front to allow for parties and musicales. All the rooms retain their original wood trim, window seats, and fireplace surrounds.
George and Alice were married 61 years, and although they had no children of their own, they adopted their niece, Charles’ daughter Amanda “Pansy” Greer, so she could inherit their estate. (Charles Greer’s house was next door, so Pansy never had to travel far.) She was married in her Uncle George’s house. In a wedding photo, the bride is seated between her two “fathers” while the groom stands with other family members behind them. Pansy inherited the house in 1926 when both her aunt and uncle coincidentally died on the same day, Alice of a lingering illness in New Castle, and George after surgery in Baltimore. Pansy, her husband Robert Love, and their four children lived in the house until 1965, when the contents were sold at auction. Only one piece of original Greer family furniture remains in the house, a sideboard in the dining room. Ironically, it was built for the local tin mill master, but donated to the city of New Castle by a former tin mill worker, Joseph Clavelli, in 1982.
Lawrence County Historical Society