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The Historic Harrisburg Association (HHA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable and educational organization that advocates for the restoration, preservation, and proper stewardship of historic neighborhoods and landmarks throughout the Capital Region to enable current and future generations to retain and celebrate Harrisburg’s rich history. HHA collaborates with civic organizations, neighborhood groups, and government agencies to fulfill its mission to “promote historic preservation, urban revitalization, and smart growth.” HHA achieves its mission through:
HHA engages constituencies to advocate for the importance of historic preservation as a key mechanism for urban revitalization, economic development, neighborhood improvement, and tourism enhancement.
HHA offers multi-faceted education and outreach programs that include free and low-cost lectures, seminars, workshops, guided walking tours and informational exhibits.
HHA works closely with the City of Harrisburg and its citizens, property owners, and neighborhood groups to ensure that Harrisburg’s historic districts and architectural landmarks are preserved in keeping with Federal and municipal guidelines.
HHA operates the Historic Harrisburg Resource Center to support the needs of the Association and the surrounding community, serving as a central location to coordinate and deliver mission-oriented services.
HHA was established in 1973 in response to two major events:
The aftermath of these events revealed the lack of knowledge and appreciation of the cultural, economic, and historical importance of local communities and landmarks, prompting the formation of HHA to serve as the voice of historic preservation moving forward. More than 40 years later, HHA continues to serve as the voice of historic preservation, contributing to the vitality of the Capital Region.
Historic Harrisburg Association worked closely with PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) to find an appropriate way to build an addition to their headquarters on Front Street that did not sacrifice historic buildings. The resulting preservation earned PHFA a 2019 Preservation Award
In 2019, when it was decided at the United Methodist Church Conference that ten historic churches would be consolidated and sold, Historic Harrisburg Association advocated to keep several churches open, provided a meeting space for the congregations and other concerned community members and promoted appropriate adaptive reuse as a means to save the structures.
Historic Harrisburg Association objected to a never-built High-rise hotel on State Street deemed both an inappropriate use of the site and three times the allowable height for that location. The 5-story mid-rise erected instead won HHA’s praise for its design and scale.
Historic Harrisburg Association helped organize the “Save our Mansions” coalition seeking to prevent the demolition of several landmark mansions on the 2900 block of North Front Street. All three were since saved and restored for residential use. Two have won preservation awards
The demolition of the Senate Hotel in 1995 served as the catalyst in establishing the Community Historic Preservation Fund – a permanent financial resource to assist HHA in historic preservation projects
In celebration of it’s 20th Anniversary, Historic Harrisburg Association was given the century-old Central Trust Building in Midtown to ensure its preservation as an architectural landmark and community resource.
HHA assisted to nominate the Old Uptown National Register Historic District in 1990
HHA Lobbied to include Old Fox Ridge as a municipal historic district in 1983 and as a Federally certified historic district in 1985
The Midtown Historic District and the Old Downtown Commercial District becomes National Registered Historic District in 1983
HHA Purchased Flood-Ravaged 112 Conoy Street in Shipoke in 1978 from the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority and Rehabbed it for Sale in an early effort to start a “revolving fund” to restore historic properties.
The Telegraph Building –212 Locust Street Demolished 1978
HHA helped to block demolition of four townhouses, SE Corner of N. 2ndand Forster Streets, for a BP Oil Gas Station in 1977. Upheld by Dauphin County Court.
The Historic Harrisburg Association successfully lobbied against the post-flood demolition of the Char-Tracy Mansion in 1977
HHA successfully Lobbied to keep 125 & 127 Pine Street from being demolished after a lengthy court battle in 1976
Historic Harrisburg Association’s early priority supported creating the first National Register Historic Districts in Shipokeand the Capitol Area in 1975. Municipal Districts were created a year earlier.
HHA Lobbied for the creation of the Midtown Municipal Historic District in 1974
Demolition of Penn-Harris Hotel signifies “bottoming out” of Downtown.
Flooding from Hurricane Agnes led to the demolition of the following properties: E.J. StackpoleResidence –1825 N. Front Street I.H. DoutrichResidence –Front and KelkerStreets
Mary Sachs died on June 24, 1960. She was 72. On the following day, the Mary Sachs Shop and the 212 Man’s Shop closed in observance of her death. An advertisement read, “It is with profound sorrow that we make known the passing of Our Beloved Founder Mary Sachs.” Mary’s sister Hannah Sachs Cantor became president of the Mary Sachs Shop and the 212 Man’s Shop. Her sister Yetta Sachs Carpenter served as Secretary/Treasurer and continued to manage the Lancaster store, which was under her care since 1927.
By 1954 the Harrisburg and Lancaster stores had a total of 175 employees, and the Harrisburg store boasted a home goods section, paper shop, and candy shop. A few doors down, Miss Sachs also operated the 212 Man’s Shop, a clothing store previously owned by Allen Stuart.
In 1937 a two-story addition to the store added a nursery, children’s shoe shop, slipper shop, two Trousseaux rooms, a fitting and alteration room, and a shop for nurse and maid uniforms. There were over a dozen consulting rooms.
Membership unlocks the buildings, people, and stories of the past, through our events and educational series, while simultaneously supporting our charitable mission of historic preservation.
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