elcome to the online home of The Historical Society of Dauphin County and the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion. The Historical Society of Dauphin County (HSDC) was founded in 1869 and has been headquartered at the Harris-Cameron Mansion, a National Historic Landmark, since 1941.
The mission of the HSDC is to collect, preserve, exhibit, publish, and promote interest in the history of Dauphin County for the education, enjoyment, and benefit of the public.
We welcome your interest in our collections, efforts, programs, and services.
Closed for Memorial Day
Please note the Historical Society, including the Research Library and Harris-Cameron Mansion, will be closed on May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.
Up and Coming at HSDC
Now Through September 26: 1920s Fashion Exhibit
June 9: 2nd Sunday Open House: The Confederate Invasion of Harrisburg
June 29: Tea with Clara Barton at the Harris-Cameron Mansion
Civil War 150 Commemoration
The Historical Society of Dauphin County is hosting two events in June in connection with the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg: Cooper Wingert's June 9 presentation on The Confederate Invasion of Harrisburg and on June 29, Tea with Clara Barton.
For information on other related community events, please visit the websites of Dauphin County Parks & Recreation or the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau.
Fashion of the 1920s on Exhibit at the Harris-Cameron Mansion
"Women's Fashion of the 1920s" is the current exhibit at the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, 219 South Front Street, Harrisburg. Housed in two newly-created exhibit spaces, the exhibit contains clothing from the collection of the Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and Museum (SUFAM).
SUFAM is a unique educational laboratory and museum that enhances the understanding of society through the study of dress. The archives preserves and exhibits its collection of clothing and accessories and makes those materials available for teaching and research purposes both on- and off-campus.
"Many people have a fixed idea of how a flapper dressed, but the exhibit shows how clothing styles changed throughout the 1920s," says Professor Karin J. Bohleke, director of SUFAM.
The exhibit, co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Dauphin County and SUFAM, is available to the public from April 8 through September 26. Admission to the exhibit is included with regular tour admission to the Harris-Cameron Mansion. Tours are available Monday through Thursday, at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. The adjoining Research Library of the society is open 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free to members of the Historical Society of Dauphin County. Free parking is available in lots behind the mansion.
Now Available
Tropical Storm Agnes in Greater Harrisburg
Erik V. Fasick of Lemoyne has written a book on the unprecedented flooding caused by June 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes and the aftermath of damage and destruction it left behind. The 128-page book, including 230 photos, was released recently by Arcadia Publishing as part of its Images of America series. You can now buy the book online or contact the HSDC office to order your copy.
You can hear Fasick talk about the book on WITF radio's Smart Talk. He will be signing copies of the book at the Society's Annual Meeting on March 27.
Fasick, who holds a master’s degree in American Studies from Penn State Harrisburg, is a member of the board of directors of the Historical Society. He presented a narrated program featuring many photos from the book at the Harris-Cameron Mansion last year to standing-room-only audiences.
"I was only six months old when 'Agnes' came to visit the Susquehanna Valley," says Fasick, "but I’ve always been interested in what my older family, friends, and neighbors have to say about the experience."
He began to look through the society’s collection of photos taken by Patriot-News/Allied Pix photographers, and the idea of making these images available for a wider audience was born.
The book begins with an introduction outlining the progress of the storm, followed by photos of East and West shore communities, then Harrisburg as affected by both the Susquehanna River and Paxton Creek to the east.
Building Harrisburg: The Architects and Builders, 1719-1941
Ken Frew's epic account (400 pages, 350-plus illustrations) of the history of Harrisburg’s architects, builders and buildings is now available for purchase.
Support HSDC while getting something in return. Our online shop includes the 2009-10 Susquehanna Heritage: Central Pennsylvania's Personal Civil War as well as Publications from the Past, which include transcripts of addresses given before the Society that cover topics such as transportation, industry, military and church histories.
Hours
- Alexander Research Library
- Monday through Thursday and the
- Second Sunday of the month
- 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Research Information
- Mansion Tours
- Monday through Thursday and the
- Second Sunday of the month
- Start 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
- Tour Information
- Society Office
- Monday through Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- * For research and tour hours
- please see above information *
Photo of the Week - May 13, 2013
A Maypole dance was part of summer playground activities in 1915. The location is unknown but may be Harrisburg's Reservoir Park. Photo ID: MG229-240.