Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center

The Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC) is a multidisciplinary arts and cultural center located in Midtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is located in the historic Police Athletic League building, which originally served as a Jewish Community Center about one mile (1.6 km) from the Pennsylvania State Capitol complex. The entrance to HMAC, located at 1110 North Third Street, was originally a private residence built about 1865 for Albert and Kate Hummel and their four daughters. In 1869 the house, which included fourteen rooms and two baths, was valued at $37,000. Harry E. Hershey purchased the house in 1893. The Hershey family lived there until 1925 when it was sold to the Fraternal Order of Orioles. The Orioles added a three story addition to the back of the house which included an auditorium and a dining room. The building became the Jewish Community Center in 1931 and belonged to the Police Athletic League from 1960 to 1984.[1]

It then stood empty for many years. Today the building houses a 2,500-square-foot (230 m2) art gallery, a 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) theatrical playhouse and performing arts center, a retail art gallery, film studio, cafe, pool and spa.

History

Partners Chuck London, John Traynor and Gary Bartlett purchased the abandoned building from the city of Harrisburg in 2007. Coming from New York City, John and Gary originally traveled to Pittsburgh to open an art gallery outside of New York but still within a few hours of the city. On the way back to New York from Pittsburgh, they stopped in Harrisburg to eat and fell in love with the city and decided to open their arts center in Harrisburg instead. In 2014, Micheal Giblin joined the team.

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center opened the entire building in June 2015. HMAC is the largest art, music, theater, dinner, and bar destination in Harrisburg. The kitchen and gallery bar have won praise from food critics and locals.

Stage On Herr

The Stage On Herr is a 34,000-square-foot (3,200 m2) performing arts space located inside the former Hebrew gym. It is an intimate, non-smoking venue for music, comedy and arts. Opened in 2009 it is one of the premier sound stages in Central PA. Hosting events from punk, rock, blues, classical as well as theatrical and charity events. The room also features a full bar. [2]

References

  1. ↑ Frew, Ken (December 2003 – January 2004). "Harrisburg Lost and Found: Hummel House Running Out of Time". Historical Harrisburg Newsletter: 8–9.
  2. ↑ http://hbgarts.com/

Coordinates: 40°16′05″N 76°53′18″W / 40.26813°N 76.88820°W / 40.26813; -76.88820


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.