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Historic Harrisburg Association, Inc. was established as a nonprofit organization in 1973. Since then, HHA has devoted itself to the revitalization and preservation of Harrisburg's neighborhoods and business districts. HHA's mission is to advocate for the preservation, restoration and stewardship of Harrisburg's architectural heritage. For the benefit of people who live in, work in, and visit Harrisburg, we promote economic development that will protect and enhance city's built environment.
HHA provides a variety of programs and services including, but not limited to neighborhood preservation support and organization; library and archives consultation and referral services; history information center; lectures, classes and workshops, newsletter and social media activities, monthly social events.
We aim not merely to save old buildings but to help members of the community understand how these buildings and landmarks connect us to the past and provide a map for our future. Two of HHA's most widely known events, the Candlelight House Tour and Elegant Progressions (co-sponsored with the Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania), promote Harrisburg's historic and architecturally significant surroundings during the holiday season. During the national observation of Preservation Week, HHA hosts a special evening when we acknowledge historic, significant accomplishments in historic preservation with the presentation of bronze plaques or other awards to worthy properties and property owners. These awards are given to individuals and businesses that have done outstanding exterior restoration of an historic property.
Also, HHA's Community Historic Preservation Fund (CHPF), established in 1995, is a restricted fund for supporting preservation projects or efforts on behalf of the community at large.
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Some programs offered by HHA include:
- Educational programs, which are designed to help diverse groups, school children, property owners, tourists and business leaders understand, appreciate and embrace Harrisburg's urban heritage and assets. These are currently postoned. To volunteer to help us restart these valuable programs, please contact us. A program of special Do It Yourself workshops for homeowners is currently in development. If you have a home improvement skill you'd like to share, please call us at 233-4646.
- National Preservation Week. During the national observation of Preservation Week, HHA hosts a special evening when we acknowledge winners of our Preservation Awards. These awards are given to individuals and businesses that have done outstanding exterior restoration of an historic property.
- The Community Historic Preservation Fund (CHPF), established in 1995, has developed a grants award program for property owners that are doing extensive renovation to their historic properties.
- Free consultation, referral and educational seminars for homeowners and others interested in acquiring and improving historic properties. Consultation is also available for building and real estate professionals interested in historic properties.
- Candlelight House Tour serves the dual goal of education (history and architecture) and economic development (tourism and promotion of city businesses and real estate).
- Elegant Progressions, a co-sponsored event with the Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania, designed to bring together Harrisburg area residents in high style while enjoying a holiday season evening in historic and architecturally significant surroundings.
HHA is not a governmental entity or a regulatory agency. To the contrary, it is part of HHA’s mission to persuade decision makers that Harrisburg's historic urban fabric is its greatest asset and is a means of attracting new residents, stimulating the economy and increasing job opportunities. HHA must remain vigilant and continue to make the case to city and other leaders that preservation and economic development go hand-in-hand while enhancing the vitality and visual attractiveness of Pennsylvania's capital city. |
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Among others, HHA provides the following services:
- Neighborhood preservation support and organization
- The Historic Harrisburg Association Library and Archives Consultation and Referral Services
- Information Center
- Lectures, Classes and Workshops
- Our Newsletter Harrisburg Heritage
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Historic Harrisburg Association, Inc. was established in 1973 as a nonprofit organization largely in response to two fateful events: the devastating effects of the flood caused by Hurricane Agnes in June 1972 and the demolition of Harrisburg’s spectacular State Theater. Since then, HHA has devoted itself to the revitalization and preservation of Harrisburg’s residential, commercial, economic and cultural life.
In 1993, in celebration of its 20th Anniversary, HHA was given the century old Pennsylvania National Bank Building (illustrated above) to ensure its preservation as an architectural landmark and community resource. HHA has worked to preserve the building as a key community asset.
Largely because of the work of the Historic Harrisburg Association and its civic partners, Harrisburg now stands as a primary example of how historic preservation can contribute to the reversal of decline in American cities. In HHA’s 35 plus years of existence, dozens of multi-million dollar preservation projects — and thousands of smaller ones — have contributed greatly to the quality of life, economic vitality and visual attractiveness of Pennsylvania’s capital city.
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Our Mission is to advocate for the preservation, restoration and stewardship of Harrisburg’s architectural heritage. HHA promotes economic development that respects out cultural legacy for the benefit of people who live in, work in, and visit Harrisburg.
Through advocacy and education, HHA helps to preserve the city's human scale and evidence of its physical and social history. It seeks to contribute to the city's economic vitality and to build an appreciation of the city's history and a sense of community and place. Our mission is not merely to save old buildings but to help members of the community understand how these buildings and landmarks connect us to the past and provide a map for our future.
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 John R. Campbell - John currently serves has the Historic Harrisburg Association Executive Director. Prior to being appointed Executive Director in February 2010, John served on the Historic Harrisburg Association Board of Directors as the Membership Committee Chair. John is also involved in numerous community activities, including Treasurer for 3rd in the Burg and Treasurer for the Capital Region Stonewall Democrats. He has an Associates degree from Harrisburg Area Community College in Business Administration. John is currently completing his degree at Lebanon Valley College in Business and Accounting. In November 2011, Campbell was elected as Harrisburg City's Treasurer. John Campbell resides in Midtown, Harrisburg with his two dogs Shadow and Kobe.
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The Historic Harrisburg Association is proud to have a diverse and professional Board of Directors. The Board's responsibility is to oversee the organizations strategic goals and vision. If interested in serving on the Historic Harrisburg Association Board of Directors or a committee please contact
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. Members of the Board of Directors are listed below.
Executive Officers
David J. Morrison, President
Mandy Arnold, Vice President
Peter Durantine, Treasurer
Michael Walsh, Secretary
Directors
Alan Kennedy-Shaffer
Dr. Dorothy King
Jennifer Kyung
The Honorable Kelly D. Summerford
Peter Wilson
Rachel Jones Williams
Richard Gribble, AIA
Dr. Robert Steinmetz |
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