2021 Pennsylvania At Risk
Preservation Pennsylvania’s Executive Director Mindy Crawford announces this year’s Pennsylvania At Risk places in this video recording of Preservation Pennsylvania’s live Zoom announcement.
They are Fort Halifax Park (Dauphin County), Satterthwaite House and the Patterson Farm (Bucks County), and the former St. Agnes Church in the Oakland Neighborhood of Pittsburgh (Allegheny County). Watch the video to learn more about these places, plus updates on past Pennsylvania At Risk sites. Preservation Pennsylvania will work throughout the year with the places listed on 2021 Pennsylvania At Risk.
Click here for the press release. Or click here for images.
We’d like to thank the members of the public for answering the call for Pennsylvania At Risk submissions and sharing with us the stories of the places they love and are working to preserve. Our review panel this year discussed each site at length, evaluating which were truly at risk and might benefit from the listing. We’ll be working with the places listed on 2021 Pennsylvania At Risk throughout the year.
Read the PA At Risk newsletter
Former St. Agnes Church (Allegheny County)
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
St. Agnes Church (aka St. Agnes Center)
3217 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh
Threat: Demolition
The former St. Agnes Church is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Pittsburgh, designed by architect John Theodore Comès (1873-1922). Its owner, Carlow University, proposes a public/private development partnership that would result in the church’s demolition.
Fort Halifax Park (Dauphin County)
DAUPHIN COUNTY
Fort Halifax Park
570 N. River Rd., Halifax, Halifax Township
Threat: Deterioration, Demolition
The 172-acre Fort Halifax Park fronts the Susquehanna River and includes rolling meadows, pristine woodlands, the meandering Armstrong Creek, and a historic 19th century farmstead. It was likely the location of Fort Halifax during the French and Indian War. Today the site offers recreational, archaeological and educational opportunities, such as nature, science, history and other programs. In the past year, Halifax Township’s Board of Supervisors initiated plans to demolish the iconic barn and farmhouse.
Satterthwaite House and the Patterson Farm (Bucks County)
BUCKS COUNTY
Satterthwaite House & Patterson Farm
909 Mirror Lake Road, Yardley
Lower Makefield Township
Threat: Deterioration, Demolition by Neglect
As open land in Bucks County is gobbled up by new housing developments, the fertile soils of Patterson Farm remain in cultivation, continuing a centuries-long agricultural tradition. Much of this land is already protected. However, a 40-acre parcel owned by Lower Makefield Township and containing a number of historic buildings, including the Quaker Satterthwaite House is at risk. The buildings have fallen into disrepair since the Township obtained the farm in 1998. A local advocacy group seeks approval to begin restoration work before it’s too late.
About Pennsylvania At Risk
Since 1992, Preservation Pennsylvania has published the Pennsylvania At Risk list to draw statewide attention to the plight of Pennsylvania’s historic resources; promote and support local action to protect historic properties; and encourage funding and legislation that supports preservation activities.
Helping people to protect and preserve Pennsylvania’s endangered historic properties is a top priority for Preservation Pennsylvania. The organization is committed to engaging with people interested in working to preserve and rehabilitate these significant historic places.
This year’s list was chosen from nominations submitted by groups and individuals. Submissions are evaluated by several criteria, including historic significance, the extent of the threat, and the community’s commitment to preserving the resource. This year’s submissions were reviewed by a panel that included representatives from the following organizations, who shared their expertise to evaluate each of the nominations and offered their professional insights on potential solutions.
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
Heritage PA
PA Museums
Pennsylvania Archaeological Council
Pennsylvania Downtown Center
Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office
Preservation Pennsylvania Board of Directors
Stay in touch for updates on how you can get involved and help change the outcome for these special places.
The 2021 Pennsylvania At Risk publication will be distributed to members in early June. (Not a member yet? Sign up before the end of may and receive our Little Landmarks decal with our thanks!)
About Preservation Pennsylvania
Preservation Pennsylvania is the commonwealth’s only statewide, private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of historically and architecturally significant properties. The organization was created in 1982 as the Preservation Fund of Pennsylvania to operate a revolving fund that would assist in the acquisition and rehabilitation of historic properties. Since its incorporation, the organization has evolved and now organizes the Statewide Conference on Heritage, hosts the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards, and publishes an annual list of endangered properties in Pennsylvania At Risk in addition to managing a revolving fund and intervention fund. Preservation Pennsylvania also participates in educational programs and advocacy initiatives, conducts special projects, and offers technical assistance to people throughout the commonwealth.