Pennsylvania’s communities are filled with special and meaningful historic places and spaces that add value to our lives and offer comfort and stability during these challenging times. Now more than ever, it is important to stay connected to our communities.
Today’s Spotlight: Andrea Lowery
The next entry in PA SHPO’s #FavoritePAPlaces campaign is Andrea Lowery, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, talking about why the Mount Gretna Campmeeting & Pennsylvania Chautauqua in Mt Gretna, Lebanon County is one of her favorite Pennsylvania places.
Mount Gretna Campmeeting & Pennsylvania Chautauqua
“Mount Gretna” (“Mt. Gretna”) is a rather loosely defined residential area in southern Lebanon County and is about seven miles south of the city of Lebanon.
The Mt. Gretna Campmeeting (Key #143875) was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. The Campmeeting is a residential-resort community located in West Cornwall Township and consists of 228 cottages, many of which date from 1892, the year the United Brethren opened their campmeeting there. All but one cottage was built on site by local carpenters. The cottage styles are predominantly Gothic Revival or Queen Anne, typical of the late 19th century religious resort.
The Mount Gretna (Pennsylvania) Chautauqua Historic District (Key #201074) was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on August 18, 2015. The Chautauqua development is a slightly later neighborhood of the Campmeeting, and the grounds are located just west of the Campmeeting.
The Mount Gretna Chautauqua community was established in 1892 as the Pennsylvania Chautauqua Association as part of the broader social and cultural Chautauqua movement taking place across the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Chautauqua has its own individual history of development, and a separate government – though the two were developed simultaneously, they were always separate in purpose, management and growth.
Share your #FavoritePAPlace
What older and historic places in your community are you looking forward to connecting with again? Share your answer with us in the comments or email us at mail@pahistoricpreservation.com.
Use the hashtags #FavoritePAPlace and/or #PreservationHappensHere and your entry just might be featured, too!
