Gina M. Douty is a historic preservation consultant and, for the last 12 years, owner of Gina M. Douty, Historic Preservation Consulting, LLC, located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles from Harrisburg.
In 2023, she was honored at the 2023 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards, presented by Preservation Pennsylvania, for her involvement with the rehabilitation of a defunct furniture factory into a new boutique hotel called the Bischoff Inn (Tamaqua, Schuylkill County).
A Special Place in My Heart: The PA State Museum & Archives Tower
Harrisburg, PA (Dauphin County)
As a historic preservationist I have many favorite places in Pennsylvania, but I think the one that stands out the most is the Pennsylvania State Museum & Archives Tower located in the City of Harrisburg. Nestled along the beautiful Susquehanna River and situated to the north of the Capitol Complex, the museum building was constructed in 1964 in the Mid-Century Modern style and designed by the well-known architecture firm of Lawrie & Green. While the stark, monolithic limestone drum shaped building with its tall windowless tower may be cool and uninviting to some, to me, this building has been a warm and welcoming place in my life for nearly 50 years.
My Introduction
I was first introduced to this place like most kids who grew up in the Harrisburg area – going on the obligatory elementary school museum field trips. I loved roaming around the circular spaces, seeing the recreated historic town square and the giant statue of William Penn, visiting the planetarium, and being a bit spooked by Mammal Hall that houses dioramas featuring native animals and birds found throughout the state. And there was always a final stop at the gift shop.
In high school, the museum was a place for me to take part in other events the museum had to offer, such as decorating a tree to represent a foreign culture that shaped Pennsylvania. Shout out to my French club.
My New Career
By college and the beginning of my career in historic architecture and preservation (circa late 1980s), I was fully immersed in this building as a young intern with the PA Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC), which was headquartered in the museum building. I was able to take in the inner workings of the museum and meet the talented folks behind the scenes.
There, from my desk on the fifth floor of the museum, the full-length windows provided a spectacular view of the Susquehanna River to the west and the beautiful PA Capitol Building to the southeast. On my lunch breaks, I often ventured downstairs to tour the exhibits repeatedly, feeling more at home with every nook and cranny of the place. I began to study archival materials housed at the Archives Tower in my twenties, and that continues to be a mainstay for my diet as a historic preservationist today!
I even wrote a term paper for my architectural history class at Penn State that featured the State Museum Building complex. I love this place dearly, so I was tremendously excited when, shortly after college graduation in 1992, I was offered a full-time job with the PHMC, Bureau of Sites & Museums, Department of Architecture & Conservation. As a historic preservation specialist, then later an architectural designer, I had the privilege of being on several projects that included the renovations or repairs to the museum building. It remained my home for the next six years, and was one of the greatest buildings I have ever worked in.
It’s Part of My Life
When I put my career on hold to raise a family, I often brought my daughter and nieces and nephews to the museum to introduce a new generation to my favorite spot. They enjoyed the Curiosity Corner on the first floor, liked the Dino Lab, big William Penn, and the mighty bison in the hall of mammals. I enjoyed chaperoning my daughter’s elementary class trip to the state museum, and later, accompanying her high school French exchange program’s students to the building. My daughter even enjoyed her senior prom at this place!
Fast forward to present day…this building continues to be a wonderful presence in my life. I have been to many historic preservation functions, Preservation Pennsylvania award ceremonies, receptions, and exhibit specials such as Art of the State, an annual event showcasing PA artists in every medium.
If I have not been there in a while, I find myself heading back, like visiting an old friend, to explore the enduring exhibits as well as catch any new items on display.
It’s Part of My Work
Over the last year, I have had the privilege of being the historic preservation consultant for an ongoing Department of General Services project addressing the plaza surrounding the State Museum and Archives tower. I am deeply humbled to have been asked to be a small part of this great undertaking with such a gifted team of individuals in the architecture and engineering fields. I even had the opportunity to get back to the archives for my research on this project before they relocated to their new home a few blocks north of the site. I was excited to study the rich history of the State Museum and its Archives Tower…. quite fitting.
If you ever find yourself in the City of Harrisburg, have never visited the museum, or if it has been a while since your last school field trip there, I encourage you to stop by. I know that I will continue to do so.
Always a patron,
Gina M. Douty