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
Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of posts 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 visionary, … Continue reading On Dr. Todd Allen’s Civil Rights Bus Tour: Bridging History, Faith, and Community
One of the great projects that our students have been working on is a newsletter for the Center for Public Humanities. Our long-time CPH Fellow, Sarah Meeks, who will graduate this semester, has just put the final touches on a fulsome overview of CPH activities of the fellows in spring 2026. In this issue, you'll … Continue reading The CPH Chronicles: Spring 2026
Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of posts 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 visionary, … Continue reading On Bryan Wade’s Underground Railroad Documentary: Preserving African American History Through Storytelling
On March 24, 1842, the well-known English writer and journalist Charles Dickens traveled through Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in his first American tour. Hannah Boes, History major at Messiah University, has just published an article on Dickens' visit at Harrisburg Historical. Here's a glimpse: "The celebrated English writer Charles Dickens, along with his wife, Catherine, and her … Continue reading Today in History: Charles Dickens Visits Harrisburg in 1842
Digital Harrisburg 