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Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Samuel Harrison Society to restore and preserve Reverend Harrison's homestead; use it as a place to teach the values embodied in his noble life, his enduring beliefs, his extraordinary writings; and to define a chapter in the story of us as a people by providing greater insight into African-American history.

Planned Activities

Interior Restoration of the Samuel Harrison House

Faith & Freedom Walk; June 22nd, 2013

Grand Opening of the Samuel Harrison House

Heritage Walk; Septemer 21st, 2013

Heritage Walk; October 5th, 2013

For upcoming events, please view our Calendar of Events. Our Events Page can be also viewed for details on upcoming and other past events.

Interior restoration begins, grand opening 2013!

The exterior work on the Samuel Harrison House at 82 Third Street was completed during the winter of 2008-2009. Interior work was started in the fall of 2011. The interior is expected to be completed by the summer of 2013.

Greylock Federal Credit Union donates $50K!

The Greylock Federal Credit Union announced on Friday, July 1st, 2011, that they are donating $50,000 over the next three years to support the restoration of the Samuel Harrison House and the opening of the museum.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) celebrated the beginning of the restoration and preservation of the Samuel Harrison House by holding a Groundbreaking ceremony. On Friday, August 22nd, 2008, the ceremony was attended by Senators, Representatives, Friends, Neighbors, and descendants of Samuel Harrison.

National Register of Historic Places

The Samuel Harrison Society is pleased to announce that the home of Samuel Harrison, located at 82 Third Street in Pittsfield, was accepted for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places on March 22, 2006. His home is a landmark representing his place in history and physically represents his lifestyle and position in his community.

Creating a New Museum

The Samuel Harrison Society with the help of public and private funds plans to restore and preserve the homestead of Samuel Harrison with the goal of creating a new museum. Through exhibts, displays, recordings of (Samuel Harrison's) writings and personal memorabillia, the museum will track the Reverend's struggles and triumphs and describe the profound effect he had on 19th century American history.

Pittsfield moves to save home of Rev. Harrison
City officials are predicting the Harrison house on Third Street can become a museum honoring a locally famous African-American leader, after successful overtures have been made to place it on the National Register of Historic Places and transfer its ownership. The house of Rev. Samuel Harrison, abandoned and falling into decay, was placed on a list of structures slated for destruction two years ago by a city committed to neighborhood revitalization. As a matter of routine, the city submitted the list to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for its review. The commission wrote back on Oct 21, 2002, stating that the house at 82 Third St. was a “historic and archaeological asset of the Commonwealth” and that it was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under three separate categories of historic significance.

Quote - April 16, 2006

Article ID: 3716480 Publication: Berkshire Eagle, The (Pittsfield, MA) "I think the Reverend Harrison would be astounded to know that his house is now one of Pittsfield's historic landmarks." — Linda Tyer, first president of the Samuel Harrison Society

Samuel Harrison House Location in Pittsfield, MA

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If you're interested in restoring, preserving, and supporting one of America's Treasures you can give to the Samuel Harrison Society by clicking donate. The Samuel Harrison Society thanks you for your support!