Progress Update: Harrisburg Historical Walking Tours by Messiah University  

Jake Kocher: December 9, 2024

As the fall 2024 semester approaches its conclusion, it is a fitting moment to provide an update on the history tours being developed by Messiah University’s Harrisburg Historical team. Significant progress has been made since the last update, culminating in a streamlined and focused approach to this important project. Here at the end of the fall semester we have prepared three tours for the public to engage with. These include the tour we have been preparing (Chester Way: Harrisburg’s Centuries Long Quest for Civil Rights) as well as two new tours: The Old Eighth Ward: The Vanished Neighborhood of the Pennsylvania State Capitol, and The Chester Way Walking Tour of the Capitol Complex.

I had the privilege of working extensively on both The Old Eighth Ward tour and The Chester Way Walking Tour.The Old Eighth Ward tour is a developing tour that will eventually include a wider set of stories about significant people, places, and events in the neighborhood. The Chester Way Walking Tour highlights ten significant locations within Harrisburg’s Capitol grounds, bringing to life the stories of African Americans who once resided in the historic Old Eighth Ward. Each tour offers distinct modes of interaction, providing participants with unique and engaging ways to experience the history of the area.

The Chester Way Walking Tour invites participants to journey through over a century of Harrisburg’s history, beginning in the 1840s with the city’s vital role in the Underground Railroad. By exploring these sites, visitors will gain insight into the vibrant community that once thrived in the Old Eighth Ward and the significant contributions of its residents to the fight for civil rights and equality. To enhance the experience, the tour incorporates an audio component, ensuring seamless transitions between locations and stories. This innovative feature not only enriches the narrative but also allows participants to engage with history in an immersive and accessible way. 

One of the key challenges faced during the development of the tour was navigating the Curatescape platform. While it is a powerful tool, its initial functionality did not fully align with the team’s vision for presenting the tour. This hurdle, however, became an opportunity for innovation and creative problem-solving. The team reimagined the tour’s structure, ultimately resulting in the creation of two distinct experiences: The Chester Way tour and The Chester Way Walking Tour.  The former offers participants the flexibility to explore stories in an à la carte style, allowing them to engage with individual narratives at their own pace. In contrast, The Chester Way Walking Tour provides a guided, chronological journey through the Capitol Complex, encouraging participants to immerse themselves in the locations and stories in a structured, interactive manner.

The dedication of the Harrisburg Historical team to preserving and sharing the stories of the Old Eighth Ward reflects a broader commitment to public humanities and accessible history. These tours stand as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and resilience in the face of challenges. As the semester concludes, the team looks forward to completing this project and inviting the public to explore the rich history of Harrisburg’s Old Eighth Ward. Stay tuned for the launch of these exciting tours draws near.

For our earlier posts regarding Harrisburg Historical Tours see: 

• “Bringing History to Life: Developing an Immersive Walking Tour for Downtown Harrisburg’s Civil Rights Legacy”
• “A Tour Takes Shape: December Update on Harrisburg Historical”

Jake Kocher is a senior history major studying at Messiah University.