Celebrate 50 Years with Us
It’s hard to believe that Historic Harrisville is turning 50 years old this year. We’ve been preserving our town’s history and providing opportunities for people to live and work in Harrisville since 1971. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life, community spirit, beauty, and economic vitality of Harrisville—as it has been for the past fifty years.
To celebrate this important benchmark, we’re hosting a full day of events on Saturday, August 28, 2021. There will be tours, open studios, exhibits, speakers, a hike, a special book, a commemorative champagne toast, and more. Whether you are a long-time supporter of HHI or new to the organization, we invite ALL members of the community to any or all of the events listed here. Come celebrate with us!
Click the image above to download a printable schedule and map of the day’s events.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Open House: 10 a.m. to Noon
Nine of Historic Harrisville’s buildings in the village will open their doors to the public. Wander through the village at your leisure to see the buildings and special exhibits, meet some of our tenants, and speak with volunteers about the buildings’ histories and current uses. (Download the schedule and tour map here.)
Group Walk: Noon to 1 p.m.
Join us for a walk along the Zophar Willard Woods conservation trails. The group will depart from the bridge between the Granite Mill (#15) and Cheshire Mills Brick Mill (#21) at noon.
50th Celebration 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate 50 years of historic preservation, conservation, and community development, featuring speakers Anna Schuleit Haber and Jack Davis, followed by a champagne toast. Gather at the Bollerud Field conservation land directly across from 76 Prospect Street. In the event of rain, the event will be held in the large meeting room in the Cheshire Mills Brick Mill (#21).
Artist, Historic Harrisville tenant, and MacArthur recipient Anna Schuleit Haber (left) and Pulitzer-Prize-winning author and part-time Harrisville resident Jack Davis will both speak at HHI's August 28th Celebration from 5-7 p.m. All are welcome.
Open House Highlights
Don’t miss these stops during HHI's Open House from 10-noon on Saturday, August 28th. (See the map for more details.)
+ A Harrisville Soundscape by composer L.A. Dierker in St. Denis
+ Harrisville: Then & Now photo exhibit in St. Denis
+ The Dublin Bypass model in the Granite Mill
+ Summer Fun in Harrisville exhibit in the Granite Mill
+ Visit Historic Harrisville’s hydro facility
+ Meet our board, as they give tours of various Historic Harrisville buildings
+ Meet artists and makers like Louis Lovas in the Granite Mill (15), Anna Von Mertens and Gretchen Murray in the Harris Storehouse (16), Joan Hanley and Corwin Levi in the Sorting & Picker House (19), and Eleanor Briggs and Judy Patten in the Brick Mill (21).
LEFT: The Harris Mill, photographed in its boarded-up state in 1969. (Photo by Richard Candee) RIGHT: The Harris Mill as it looks today (Photo by Jenn Bakos). The photos are part of the Harrisville: Then & Now exhibit, which will be on view in St. Denis Hall from 10-12 on Saturday, August 28.
Donate Now & Make Our Commemorative Book a Reality
In honor of our 50-year anniversary, Historic Harrisville is raising $50,000 and publishing a limited-edition book. A generous donor has pledged $25,000 if we raise the remaining $25,000. All donors who give $50 or more to our Anniversary Campaign will receive a copy of our commemorative book, which is full of newspaper and magazine articles, images, and anecdotes about HHI from the last five decades. Written and curated by preservationist Elizabeth Hengen, this beautiful tome will be professionally designed and printed and delivered at a future date. Help us make this project a reality by donating today.
(Note: The final book design and title may differ from the image below.)
