More than three years in the works, the newly expanded and renovated McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg on Thursday officially opened its doors to the Harrisburg community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony infused with themes of the historic past and the promise of what is to come.
Ivey DeJesus | idejesus@pennlive.com It was a long-awaited day of celebration for lovers of books, history and community as library officials and their supporters on Thursday dedicated the newly expanded and renovated McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg.
More than three years in the planning and execution, the $3.5 million library project weathered the challenges of a pandemic, supply chain disruptions and labor shortages to result in an airy space filled educational and historical resources, state-of-the-art design, and a bank of windows through which sunlight illuminate once dark rooms. Karen Cullings, executive director of the Dauphin County Library System, said the project underscores the primary reason for libraries - to promote understanding and equality through education. “This is a much expanded and improved library space that will allow us to deliver to the community the programs and resources it needs,” she said. In addition to the renovation of the original library, the project incorporated the adjacent historic Haldeman Haly House into one building with the library. “We have been landlocked here for more than 100 years so when that building became available it was just a once in a lifetime opportunity to turn the space into this,” Cullings said. True to the historic nature of the expansion, the dedication brought aspects of the past, present and future to bear on the significance of the library’s expansion. The ribbon-cutting included the dedication of the T. Morris Chester Welcome Center, which honors the legacy of the Harrisburg native who was an abolitionist, a civil rights advocate and the first Black war correspondent during the Civil War. “The T. Morris Chester Welcome Center allows us to have an expanded view of the area’s history and of being more inclusive in how we look at this history than we have ever before,” Cullings said. Before a packed audience of elected, community and business leaders, as well as philanthropists and library supporters, library system officials expressed their gratitude to the unprecedented roll call of donors from across private and public sectors that had made the project possible. “Our campaign was not about arm-twisting or laying guilt to give or encourage one-upmanship,” said Susan Anthony, a member of the board of trustees of the library system and a co-chair of the “Your Place to Belong” capital campaign. “Our campaign was intentional, intentional related to purpose - the vision secured by renovation and restoration of McCormick Riverfront Library and the Haldeman Haley House to serve the children and families of Harrisburg, help the underserved and under-represented in our community, provide tools and resources through workforce development and embrace and understand our past in order to live a better future.” The new library space combines the McCormick Library with the 5,458-square-foot Haldeman Haly residence, named for Sara Haldeman Haly, whose donation of land and money in 1896 led to creation of the library. The expanded library offers more than 3,400 square feet for a family area that incorporates science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math learning support, 950 square feet of public meeting space, and added public computer resources. Indeed, children are the focus of much of the expansion, which features a new computer resource center that will provide young users with access to special programming software, science resources and a virtual lab experience.“The dedicated children’s room is very much needed,” Cullings said. “We didn’t have adequate space for children before. Having them have their own space instead of sharing with adults is phenomenal.” Cate Barron, president of PennLive, which sponsored the T. Morris Chester Welcome Center, said the company’s support of the project speaks to its commitment to the communities the library serves and, in particular, its role in improving literacy, workforce development and school readiness. “They are all big social issues that we want to serve as well as they are part of our mission,” Barron said.“Chester was unsung for more than 100 years and has only recently been getting his just due,” Barron said. “The fact that the welcome center is named after him - an abolitionist as well as a journalist - is something that is near and dear to our hearts.” On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Past Players, a statewide re-enactment troupe that focuses on Civil War historical themes, were on hand - dressed in period costumes to lend a historic touch to the event. “I think his life has come full circle,” said Eric Jackson, a member of the re-enactment troupe, who on Thursday was impersonating Chester in dress and manner. “To see the diversity... of the faces here and the various parts of this community working together as one is what the whole Civil War period was about.” If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Montgomery plans to expand riverfront trailThe mile-long extension will go from Riverfront Park to Shady Street.
Read more »
Protecting Florida from the next major hurricane: Here are 5 ways to make communities saferProtecting Florida from the next major hurricane: Here are 5 ways to make communities safer ClaytonPark3
Read more »
Chas McCormick answers the call in center in ALCS openerIn a position that has befuddled the Astros all season, Chas McCormick made most of his...
Read more »
Is Consuming Queer Culture a Political Act?On the new Outward podcast, trying to make sense of Bros, and surfacing gay history at the Library of Congress.
Read more »
Santa Maria Novella Hosts First US Event in 800-year History in HarlemTypically when brands throw their first events, it’s within their first few months of existence — not 800 years down the line.
Read more »