Preservation Celebration and Toast

Each May, in observance of National Historic Preservation Month, Historic Harrisburg Association hosts its “Preservation Celebration and Toast” as both a fundraising event and a recognition event honoring the individuals, organizations, businesses, properties, neighborhoods, landmarks and other entities that have been part of our community’s “historic preservation story” during the previous year.

The Preservation Celebration and Toast, which typically includes a reception, silent auction and a brief ceremony, is held at an architecturally or historically important property or landmark that itself has been part of the community’s “historic preservation story.” Recent venues have included Char’s Tracy Mansion (hosted one day before it opened to the public); the Milestone Inn at the Baker-Hall Mansion; the Jacob DeChant Mansion (restored by WCI Partners); The Millworks restaurant and artist cooperative (during its opening month); the John Harris & Simon Cameron Mansion (during its 250^th anniversary); and the historic J. Donald Cameron Mansion on Front Street.

Since 1986, Historic Harrisburg has annually presented Historic Preservation Awards honoring buildings, neighborhoods, landmarks, organizations and entities for significant historic preservation achievements. Bronze plaques are given for exterior display and recognition.

Since 2011, special recognition in the form of a “toast” has been bestowed on individuals (including David J. Morrison, Jeb Stuart, J. Alex Hartzler, Peggy Grove, and Calobe Jackson, Jr.), groups (the founders of Historic Harrisburg, on the occasion of our 40^th anniversary in 2013); organizations (Harristown) and neighborhoods (Midtown was recognized for the many groups and individuals who contributed to its renaissance over many years).

On Sunday, May 22, we sailed on the famous “Pride of the Susquehanna” Riverboat that showcased the beauty of the East and West Shores of our majestic Susquehanna River and raised a toast to Harrisburg’s West Shore.