Sunday, July 16th, 2017
Book Signing: Author Ann-Elizabeth Barnes hosted a signing of her new book entitled; The Rev. Samuel Harrison.
Book Signing: Author Ann-Elizabeth Barnes hosted a signing of her new book entitled; The Rev. Samuel Harrison.
Thursday, June 27th, 2013The Samuel Harrison Society purchased an inscribed brick to be part of the exterior wall of the new building for St. John's Congregational Church in Springfield, MA. The brick was unveiled as one of over 200 bricks during the Cornerstone Laying and Unveiling of the Inscribed Bricks Ceremony on June 27th, 2013. The ceremony was part of Church Dedication Week (Saturday, June 22nd through Sunday, June 30th) for St. John's new building. Samuel Harrison served as Pastor of the formerly known Sanford Street Free Church from 1866 to 1870.
Friday, July 1st, 2011The 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. Greylock President Marilyn Sperling, Executive Vice President John Bissell, Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto, Samuel Harrison Society President Churchill Cotton, and Samuel Harrison's great granddaughter, Ruth Edmonds Hill were present for the announcement.
Sunday, April 17th, 2011The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) sponsored their 6th annual Samuel Harrison Birthday Celebration honoring the Rev. Samuel Harrison. Also, Second Congregational Church was officially dedicated as an African American Heritage Trail site and received a plaque. Rev. Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. was the guest speaker. The Service began at 3:30pm at the Second Congregational Church, 50 Onota St. Pittsfield, MA.
Sunday, February 27th, 2011SHS member Blayne Whitfield gave a presentation at the Lanesborough Read: Civil War at the Lanesborough Public Library.
Sunday, February 27th, 2011The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) sponsored a Spaghetti Dinner. The Spaghetti Dinner (from 12pm to 2pm) was held at the American Legion Post 68 at 41 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto was in attendence.
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Sunday, April 18th, 2010The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) sponsored their 5th annual Samuel Harrison Birthday Celebration honoring the Rev. Samuel Harrison. The celebration was held from 2pm to 4pm at Second Congregational Church. Dr. Homer "Skip" Meade,II, Ed.D. was the guest speaker.
Also participating and providing musical selections were the Second Congregational Church Choir and the Women of Joy.
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) participated in the Veteran's Day presentation of the documentary, A Trumpet at the Walls of Jericho: The Untold Story of Samuel Harrison by St. John's Congregational Church, Springfield, MA. SHS member Blayne Whitfield introduced the documentary to the audience before it was shown Wednesday evening at 7pm in the church sanctuary. SHS members Churchill Cotton and Jeannie Williams were also present to take part in the festivities.
St. John's Congregational Church presented the documentary as part of their 165th Anniversary celebration. The Rev. Samuel Harrison was a former Pastor of St. John's from 1866 to 1870. The Massachusetts 54th Color Guard will be performing a flag presentation at the beginning of each worship service on Sunday, November 15th, 2009.
St. John's Congregational Church presented the documentary as part of their 165th Anniversary celebration. The Rev. Samuel Harrison was a former Pastor of St. John's from 1866 to 1870. The Massachusetts 54th Color Guard will be performing a flag presentation at the beginning of each worship service on Sunday, November 15th, 2009.
Saturday, July 4th, 2009The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) participated in the annual Pittsfield 4th of July Parade. The marchers for the SHS accompanied marchers from the Morningside & Westside Initiatives and Downtown Inc. In addition, the Samuel Harrison Society marchers were escorted by the Massachusetts 54th Color Guard.
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009SHS member Blayne Whitfield gave a presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Dalton Free Public Library in the Crane Room of the Dalton Town Hall.
Saturday, April 11th, 2009The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) sponsored their 4th annual Samuel Harrison Birthday Celebration honoring the Rev. Samuel Harrison. The celebration was held from 2pm to 4pm at Second Congregational Church. Massachusetts State Representative Byron Rushing was the guest speaker.
Press Release - Samuel Harrison Society Celebrates Rev. Harrison's Birthday 03/03/2009On Saturday, April 11, 2009, the Samuel Harrison Society will host a Birthday Party to celebrate the 191st birthday of the Rev. Samuel Harrison. Samuel Harrison (1818-1900), an African-American clergyman, contributed an important voice to the philosophical and political debate over race relations during the last half of the 19th century. Rev. Harrison was an eloquent preacher of independence and self-worth and was a role model for the dignity of African-Americans. As an ardent and outspoken abolitionist, he became a well-respected advocate for his community. Rev. Harrison served his country during the Civil War after being commissioned Chaplain of the Massachusetts 54th. His home, located on Third Street in Pittsfield, is a landmark representing his place in history and physically represents his lifestyle and position in his community. Restoring and preserving Rev. Harrison’s homestead is imperative because of its associations to Rev. Harrison and the American Abolitionist Movement.
The Birthday Party will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 50 Onota Street, Pittsfield. The celebration will feature special guest speaker Byron Rushing from the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Rev. Dr. James Lumsden and his band from First Church of Christ Congregational in Pittsfield, Between the Banks will provide a musical selection. The event will include performances by the Gospel Choir of Second Congregational Church. Immediately following the service, there will be a performance by the Youth Alive Inc. Step-Dance Team in the Church Fellowship Hall. Birthday cake and beverages will follow the celebration. The event is free and open to the public. The Birthday Party is sponsored by
The Samuel Harrison Society, a non-profit organization, whose mission is to restore and preserve Rev. Harrison’s homestead; and use it as a place to teach the values embodied by 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.
The Birthday Party will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 50 Onota Street, Pittsfield. The celebration will feature special guest speaker Byron Rushing from the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Rev. Dr. James Lumsden and his band from First Church of Christ Congregational in Pittsfield, Between the Banks will provide a musical selection. The event will include performances by the Gospel Choir of Second Congregational Church. Immediately following the service, there will be a performance by the Youth Alive Inc. Step-Dance Team in the Church Fellowship Hall. Birthday cake and beverages will follow the celebration. The event is free and open to the public. The Birthday Party is sponsored by
The Samuel Harrison Society, a non-profit organization, whose mission is to restore and preserve Rev. Harrison’s homestead; and use it as a place to teach the values embodied by 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.
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) member Blayne Whitfield was guest speaker of the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum. A discussion on Samuel Harrison's life, his service to the Pittsfield community, and to our nation during the U.S. Civil War was held in the Library auditorium.
Thursday, February 5th, 2009Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) members Ivan Newton, Frances Jones-Sneed, and Blayne Whitfield were guests on the PCTV show Jerry's Place.
Sunday, October 19th, 2008The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) hosted a Family Genealogy Day as part of 'The Big Read Project'. The Family Genealogy Day was held at the Second Congregational Church between 2 - 4pm. Participants were encouraged to share stories and experiences regarding growing up and living in Pittsfield.
Sunday, October 5th, 2008The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) sponsored a Heritage Walk at 1pm. The walk will began at the corner of North and Linden Streets at the NAACP Office. The walk proceeded down North, East, Wendall, and First Streets. The walk ended on Third Street at the Samuel Harrison house.
Press Release - Samuel Harrison Society Hosts Heritage Walk 10/05/2008On Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 1:00 p.m., the Samuel Harrison Society, in conjunction with Heritage Walks 2008, will be sponsoring an historic sites walk. Frances Jones-Sneed, Professor of History at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and trustee of the Samuel Harrison Society will take participants on an easy walk throughout Pittsfield’s urban center. The walk will start at the northern end of North Street at the corner of North and Linden Streets. The tour will highlight African-American history and include stops along the way that have been designated by the African-American Heritage Trail as historically significant. Rich African-American history will be shared and the walk will conclude with a visit to the homestead of Rev. Samuel Harrison – an ardent abolitionist and early civil rights pioneer. His home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is designated as a National Parks Service Save America’s Treasures historic site, and is a Massachusetts Historic Commission Preservation Project. The historic house is currently undergoing restoration and preservation. Those interested should pre-register with Housatonic Heritage at 860-435-9505 and for more information please visit their website at www.heritage-hikes.org.
Friday, August, 22nd, 2008Groundbreaking Ceremony:The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) celebrated the beginning of the restoration and preservation of the Samuel Harrison House by holding a Groundbreaking ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Senators, Representatives, Friends, Neighbors, and descendants of Samuel Harrison.
Press Release - Samuel Harrison Society Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony 08/22/2008
Friday, August 22 at 10 a.m. the Samuel Harrison Society hosts a groundbreaking ceremony for the Samuel Harrison House, 82 Third Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The house, longtime home to renowned African-American equal rights advocate Reverend Samuel Harrison (1818-1900), is a National Register of Historic Places landmark, a National Parks Service "Save America's Treasures" Preservation project, and a Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation project. The ceremony is free and open to the public. State Senator Benjamin Downing and State Representative Christopher Speranzo are expected to attend.
The preservation and restoration of the Samuel Harrison House began in May 2004 when Ruth Edmonds Hill, great-granddaughter of the Reverend Samuel Harrison traveled with her husband, Dr. Hugh M. Hill, to Pittsfield from Cambridge by train to meet with a small group of Pittsfielders interested in saving the Samuel Harrison House, including Mayor James M. Ruberto, Ivan Newton, historian of the Second Congregational Church, and Susan Denault, archivist from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Ruth's intuition that her family homestead had historic value saved the modest 19th century house in one of Pittsfield's oldest neighborhoods known as Morningside from the wrecking ball. She had notified the Massachusetts Historical Commission of her great-grandfather's lifelong pioneering spirit and they, in turn, denied the city's request to demolish the deteriorating structure. At just about the same time, filmmaker Mike Kirk was producing a documentary "A Trumpet at The Walls of Jericho: The Untold Story of Samuel Harrison" which aired on PBS in February of 2005.
Rev. Samuel Harrison, an African-American minister born into slavery and living from 1818 to 1900, was a pioneering civil rights activist, an ardent abolitionist, and an eloquent orator and writer. Rev. Harrison was the first minister of the Second Congregational Church, Pittsfield, founded in 1846, a church exclusively for persons of color.
Rev. Harrison interrupted his ministry at the Second Congregational Church when he was commissioned by Governor John Albion Andrew who encouraged President Abraham Lincoln to create the first black Civil War regiment. During his service, Rev. Harrison learned that the paymaster refused to pay the men of the 54th Regiment the same amount paid to white troops because they were of "African descent." Rev. Harrison immediately pleaded their case to Governor Andrew who vigorously and repeatedly petitioned President Lincoln to honor the claim for equal pay. In June 1864, legislation requiring equal pay was passed in the army appropriations bill. In his autobiography, Rev. Harrison writes that it was suggested during his brief military service that he was "the victim upon whom the whole matter of equal pay would turn."
Two years after his death, a tablet commemorating his forty years of ministering to Pittsfield's African-Americans was placed at the Second Congregational Church with the inscription: "A Wise Leader, An Honored Citizen, An Ardent Patriot, A Beloved Messenger of the Lord; he wrought well for his people, his Country and his God."
The Samuel Harrison Society's very first champion was U.S. Congressman John Olver, who secured a Save America's Treasures matching grant in the amount of $246,000. Congressman Olver's significant support validated the Society's belief that that the house is an historic asset that needs preserving and launched a collaboration of efforts by Mayor James M. Ruberto, State Representative Christopher Speranzo and State Senator Ben Downing.
"The Samuel Harrison Society is extraordinarily grateful to Ruth for trusting our stewardship of her family homestead. We are committed to honoring Harrison family history by restoring and preserving Reverend Harrison's homestead; using 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. We have a significant, yet still undiscovered, piece of national history and civic pride right here in Pittsfield, Massachusetts," states Samuel Harrison Society President Linda Tyer. She continued, "It is with great pride that we have achieved this milestone - a groundbreaking. And we anticipate with enthusiasm a day in the not too distant future when we welcome our first visitors to the Samuel Harrison House."
Friday, August 22 at 10 a.m. the Samuel Harrison Society hosts a groundbreaking ceremony for the Samuel Harrison House, 82 Third Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The house, longtime home to renowned African-American equal rights advocate Reverend Samuel Harrison (1818-1900), is a National Register of Historic Places landmark, a National Parks Service "Save America's Treasures" Preservation project, and a Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation project. The ceremony is free and open to the public. State Senator Benjamin Downing and State Representative Christopher Speranzo are expected to attend.
The preservation and restoration of the Samuel Harrison House began in May 2004 when Ruth Edmonds Hill, great-granddaughter of the Reverend Samuel Harrison traveled with her husband, Dr. Hugh M. Hill, to Pittsfield from Cambridge by train to meet with a small group of Pittsfielders interested in saving the Samuel Harrison House, including Mayor James M. Ruberto, Ivan Newton, historian of the Second Congregational Church, and Susan Denault, archivist from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Ruth's intuition that her family homestead had historic value saved the modest 19th century house in one of Pittsfield's oldest neighborhoods known as Morningside from the wrecking ball. She had notified the Massachusetts Historical Commission of her great-grandfather's lifelong pioneering spirit and they, in turn, denied the city's request to demolish the deteriorating structure. At just about the same time, filmmaker Mike Kirk was producing a documentary "A Trumpet at The Walls of Jericho: The Untold Story of Samuel Harrison" which aired on PBS in February of 2005.
Rev. Samuel Harrison, an African-American minister born into slavery and living from 1818 to 1900, was a pioneering civil rights activist, an ardent abolitionist, and an eloquent orator and writer. Rev. Harrison was the first minister of the Second Congregational Church, Pittsfield, founded in 1846, a church exclusively for persons of color.
Rev. Harrison interrupted his ministry at the Second Congregational Church when he was commissioned by Governor John Albion Andrew who encouraged President Abraham Lincoln to create the first black Civil War regiment. During his service, Rev. Harrison learned that the paymaster refused to pay the men of the 54th Regiment the same amount paid to white troops because they were of "African descent." Rev. Harrison immediately pleaded their case to Governor Andrew who vigorously and repeatedly petitioned President Lincoln to honor the claim for equal pay. In June 1864, legislation requiring equal pay was passed in the army appropriations bill. In his autobiography, Rev. Harrison writes that it was suggested during his brief military service that he was "the victim upon whom the whole matter of equal pay would turn."
Two years after his death, a tablet commemorating his forty years of ministering to Pittsfield's African-Americans was placed at the Second Congregational Church with the inscription: "A Wise Leader, An Honored Citizen, An Ardent Patriot, A Beloved Messenger of the Lord; he wrought well for his people, his Country and his God."
The Samuel Harrison Society's very first champion was U.S. Congressman John Olver, who secured a Save America's Treasures matching grant in the amount of $246,000. Congressman Olver's significant support validated the Society's belief that that the house is an historic asset that needs preserving and launched a collaboration of efforts by Mayor James M. Ruberto, State Representative Christopher Speranzo and State Senator Ben Downing.
"The Samuel Harrison Society is extraordinarily grateful to Ruth for trusting our stewardship of her family homestead. We are committed to honoring Harrison family history by restoring and preserving Reverend Harrison's homestead; using 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. We have a significant, yet still undiscovered, piece of national history and civic pride right here in Pittsfield, Massachusetts," states Samuel Harrison Society President Linda Tyer. She continued, "It is with great pride that we have achieved this milestone - a groundbreaking. And we anticipate with enthusiasm a day in the not too distant future when we welcome our first visitors to the Samuel Harrison House."
Thursday, August 21st, 2008The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) attended the summer play, "The Colors of War: A Story of Love and Courage" at Ventfort Hall in Lenox, MA.
Friday, July 4th, 2008The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) participated in the annual Pittsfield 4th of July Parade. The marchers for the SHS accompanied marchers from the Morningside & Westside Initiatives and Downtown Inc.
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008Samuel Harrison Society members Linda Tyer and Frances Jones-Sneed were guests on the show 'Common Sense' with the Berkshire Brigades Topic: Samuel Harrison Project.
Thursday, September 27th, 2007The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) held a reception at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. The Board of Trustees gave a presentation introducing themselves, the Rev. Samuel Harrison, and the preservation development team. The presentation also included stating the mission of the SHS, as well as the concept for renovating the house as a museum.
Wednesday, July 4th, 2007The Samuel Harrison Society participated in the annual Pittsfield 4th of July Parade.
Press Release - Rev. Harrison's home gets state grant 06/26/2007Berkshire Eagle Staff report
Tuesday, June 26PITTSFIELD — The historic Samuel Harrison homestead has received $50,000 in state funding.
The announcement came yesterday from the offices of state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, and state Rep. Christopher N. Speranzo, D-Pittsfield.
"This funding helps continue the restoration and renovation of a project that is important not only for its historical significance in Berkshire County, but for the rehabilitation of a neighborhood in Pittsfield," Speranzo said in a news release.
Built in 1850, the Samuel Harrison House was gifted to the Society by Ruth Edmonds Hill, great-granddaughter of the Rev. Samuel Harrison.
Harrison was a former slave who fought for the Union in the Civil War and won the right for equal pay for black and white soldiers serving in the Union Army.
He also served as chaplain for the famous Massachusetts 54th Regiment whose exploits are recounted in the film "Glory," and became the pastor for Pittsfield's Second Congregational Church.
The funds will provide a large portion of the 50 percent match required for the $246,322 Save America's Treasures grant awarded the Samuel Harrison Society from the National Park.
Tuesday, June 26PITTSFIELD — The historic Samuel Harrison homestead has received $50,000 in state funding.
The announcement came yesterday from the offices of state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, and state Rep. Christopher N. Speranzo, D-Pittsfield.
"This funding helps continue the restoration and renovation of a project that is important not only for its historical significance in Berkshire County, but for the rehabilitation of a neighborhood in Pittsfield," Speranzo said in a news release.
Built in 1850, the Samuel Harrison House was gifted to the Society by Ruth Edmonds Hill, great-granddaughter of the Rev. Samuel Harrison.
Harrison was a former slave who fought for the Union in the Civil War and won the right for equal pay for black and white soldiers serving in the Union Army.
He also served as chaplain for the famous Massachusetts 54th Regiment whose exploits are recounted in the film "Glory," and became the pastor for Pittsfield's Second Congregational Church.
The funds will provide a large portion of the 50 percent match required for the $246,322 Save America's Treasures grant awarded the Samuel Harrison Society from the National Park.
Sunday, April 15th, 2007The Samuel Harrison Society sponsored their 2nd Annual Birthday Celebration honoring the Rev. Samuel Harrison. The celebration started at 2 pm at the Second Congregational Church.
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007The Samuel Harrison Society donated the documentary "A Trumpet at the Walls of Jericho: The Untold Story of Samuel Harrison" to the Pittsfield public schools. A donation ceremony took place in the Pittsfield High School library. Superintendent Katherine Darlington was present to accept on behalf of all the public schools. A copy of the DVD was delivered to each of the schools in Pittsfield.
Press Release - Samuel Harrison Society Donates DVD to Pittsfield Schools 02/21/2007SAMUEL HARRISON SOCIETY HONORSBLACK HISTORY MONTH
On Wednesday, February 28, 2007, the Samuel Harrison Society will celebrate Black History Month by donating a copy of the documentary “A Trumpet at the Walls of Jericho: The Untold Story of Samuel Harrison” to each Pittsfield Public School library. The ceremony, with teachers and students in attendance, will be held at the Pittsfield High School library from 12:45 to 1:25. Dr. Frances Jones-Sneed, Professor of History at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, will give a synopsis of Rev. Samuel Harrison’s historical significance. Ivan Newton, Second Congregational Church Historian will read an excerpt from Rev. Harrison’s autobiography, “Rev. Samuel Harrison. His life story, Told by Himself.” Blayne Whitfield, Samuel Harrison’s great-great grandson, will present the documentary to the Pittsfield school community.
Samuel Harrison (1818-1900), an African-American clergyman, contributed an important voice to the philosophical and political debate over race relations during the last half of the 19th century. Rev. Harrison was an eloquent preacher of self-determination and self-worth and was a role model for the dignity of African-Americans. As an ardent and outspoken abolitionist, he became a well-respected advocate for his community. Rev. Harrison served his country during the Civil War after being commissioned Chaplain of the Massachusetts 54th by Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew. His home, located on Third Street in Pittsfield, is a National Register of Historic Places landmark representing his place in history, his lifestyle, and his position in this community. Restoring and preserving Rev. Harrison’s homestead is imperative because of Rev. Harrison’s association with the American Abolitionist Movement.
The Samuel Harrison Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to restore and preserve Rev. Harrison’s homestead; and use it as a place to teach the values embodied by 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.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2007, the Samuel Harrison Society will celebrate Black History Month by donating a copy of the documentary “A Trumpet at the Walls of Jericho: The Untold Story of Samuel Harrison” to each Pittsfield Public School library. The ceremony, with teachers and students in attendance, will be held at the Pittsfield High School library from 12:45 to 1:25. Dr. Frances Jones-Sneed, Professor of History at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, will give a synopsis of Rev. Samuel Harrison’s historical significance. Ivan Newton, Second Congregational Church Historian will read an excerpt from Rev. Harrison’s autobiography, “Rev. Samuel Harrison. His life story, Told by Himself.” Blayne Whitfield, Samuel Harrison’s great-great grandson, will present the documentary to the Pittsfield school community.
Samuel Harrison (1818-1900), an African-American clergyman, contributed an important voice to the philosophical and political debate over race relations during the last half of the 19th century. Rev. Harrison was an eloquent preacher of self-determination and self-worth and was a role model for the dignity of African-Americans. As an ardent and outspoken abolitionist, he became a well-respected advocate for his community. Rev. Harrison served his country during the Civil War after being commissioned Chaplain of the Massachusetts 54th by Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew. His home, located on Third Street in Pittsfield, is a National Register of Historic Places landmark representing his place in history, his lifestyle, and his position in this community. Restoring and preserving Rev. Harrison’s homestead is imperative because of Rev. Harrison’s association with the American Abolitionist Movement.
The Samuel Harrison Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to restore and preserve Rev. Harrison’s homestead; and use it as a place to teach the values embodied by 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.
Friday, September 15th, 2006Three concurrent Bus Tours left Second Congregational Church in Pittfield for destinations in Sheffield, Great Barrington, and Pittsfield. These tours culminated in the dedication of the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail (UHVAAHT) and the opening of the Mumbett room at the Colonel Ashley House in Sheffield, MA.
The Samuel Harrison House is a site on along the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. The Rev. Samuel Harrison and his homestead are featured in the Trail Guide.
The Samuel Harrison House is a site on along the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. The Rev. Samuel Harrison and his homestead are featured in the Trail Guide.
April 16th, 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
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
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March 22nd, 2006The 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. His home is a landmark representing his place in history and physically represents his lifestyle and position in his community.
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Creating a New MuseumThe 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. HarrisonCity 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.