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.
Up and Coming at HSDC
June 12: Saturday Research Library Hours
June 24: HSDC Members Only Evening at the History Center
June 26: ICP-Harrisburg 150 Genealogy Workshop
Harrisburg 2010 History Center
The Harrisburg 2010 History Center is a temporary local museum with four exhibits designed to educate the public on the history of Dauphin County and Harrisburg, to showcase Harrisburg's upcoming SusqueCentennial, and to kick off local activities in celebration of Civil War 150. The History Center will be open from April through December of 2010 and is located in the grand interior of the original and former Dauphin Deposit Bank Building at 213 Market Street. Built in the Greek Revival "Temple" style in 1839, the building was in existence in 1860, the SusqueCentennial anniversary year and saw continuous commercial use until it was closed to the public over twenty years ago.
Hours: Wednesday thru Sunday, noon to 5:00 PM
Building Harrisburg Now Available
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
- Tuesday through Friday and the
- Second Saturday of the month
- 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Research Information
- Mansion Tours
- Tuesday through Friday and the
- Second Saturday of certain months
- 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Last tour starts at 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 - June 21, 2010
Inscribed on the top of this clock are the words "No tick here". The reverse of the photograph reads as follows: "On the opposite side of this card is a photographic view of a clock in the plate mill of the Chesapeake Nail Works, which has obtained much celebrity from its curious experience in the terrific explosion at the Chesapeake Nail Works on the morning of June 25, 1878. (Read More...)