Did you know that George Washington stopped in Harrisburg on his way to address the Whiskey Rebellion in October 1794? A new Harrisburg Historical story, titled "George Washington in Harrisburg," explores the first U.S. President's visit here. Written by Messiah University alums Kylie Smith (2026) and J.T. Crocenzi (2025), who also served as managing editor … Continue reading George Washington in Harrisburg
If you didn't know it, Wednesday was National Baker Day. When you get a chance, check out this new story at Harrisburg Historical about bakeries, confectionaries, and German immigrants in Harrisburg's Old Eighth Ward. Written by Emmy Fogle, senior public history major at Messiah University, the piece tells the story of the German immigrant, Frederick … Continue reading German Bakers in the Old Eighth Ward
Public historian and Messiah University alumna Molly Elspas' recent Harrisburg Historical story tackles the history of restrictive housing covenants in the capital region. Titled "Restrictions on Locust Street: Building Homes to Build Fences," this piece examines the ways developers combined restrictive covenants and high prices to prevent African Americans and immigrants from moving into certain … Continue reading Restrictions on Locust Street
Public History junior Hannah Boes' most recent Harrisburg Historical article explores the history of the Catholic community in Harrisburg's Old Eighth Ward. It spotlights the story of Sister Mary Clare Grace, founder of the Harrisburg Sisters of Mercy, and the Sisters' efforts to care for those in need throughout Harrisburg. Here's the lede to the … Continue reading Sister Mary Clare Grace and the St. Clare Infirmary
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary year, our writers at Harrisburg Historical have been baking up a couple of articles about Harrisburg in America's Revolutionary Era. This new essay by writer and managing editor, JT Crocenzi, remembers Marquis de Lafeyette's visit to Harrisburg in 1825 as part of his final tour of the United States. … Continue reading Lafayette Comes to Harrisburg
Messiah 2025 alum, JT Crocenzi, a long-time contributor to Harrisburg Historical, has published an important article exploring the case of resistance of Harrisburg's African American community to slave catchers in August-September 1850. Titled "Violence at the Jailhouse: A Fugitive Slave Case in Harrisburg," the article tells the story of George Wilson, Samuel Brooks, and a … Continue reading Resistance at the County Jail: A Fugitive Slave Case in Harrisburg, 1850
As I reflect on my time at Messiah University, nothing brings me a greater sense of accomplishment than my experience as a fellow with the Center for Public Humanities. I joined the fellowship in the spring of my sophomore year, and now, as I complete my final semester, I can see just how deeply this … Continue reading Reflecting on the CPH Fellows Program
Editor’s note: This is the final post in a series of essays of the Center for Public Humanities at Messiah University that highlights the voices of activists, educators, and community leaders in the Harrisburg area who are advancing civil rights and preserving history. The series, titled “The Lenwood Sloan Impact,” is named in honor of the late … Continue reading Rachael Keri Williams and SOAL: Reclaiming African American History Through Restoration and Memory
Flashback Thursday: Nearly a century ago this week, Harrisburg Telegraph carried a story about the new "triplets" -- baby lions -- that could be seen in Harrisburg Zoological Park. Did you even know that Harrisburg had a zoo? From 1929 to 1945, Harrisburg's dailies regularly reported updates about the various animals--lions, bears, snakes, bison, monkeys, … Continue reading Remembering the Harrisburg Zoo
This semester I worked with the Civic Club of Harrisburg on their Women's History Garden, and on March 29 the work we did was unveiled. The research, writing, and design had been completed, and the women were inducted into the garden. It was a wonderful event where these women were celebrated for all their incredible … Continue reading Inducting the Newest Members of the Civic Club Women’s History Garden
