University To Raze 1863 House

Samuel Crist House

Credit: Matt Connor

Apr. 25, 2006

Dear Preservation 911,

I live in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, in the Northeast Central part of the state, and have recently heard that an important historic home, built in 1863, is slated for demolition.

It's located on Main Street in town and was built by Samuel Crist, one of the most extensive lumber opera lumber was the dominant industry in this Susquehana River community.

Crist was also owner and president of the Lock Haven Gas Works, a member of School, which later became Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, thecurrent owner of his old home.

It's a spectacular, if badly neglected house, with myriad period detail (plaster ceiling medallians, grand stairway, ornate marble fireplaces, glorious hard wood floors, etc.) still intact.

The university's facilities manager tells me that the house will be torn down by July 1, and I would just hate to see that happen.

I'm trying to launch a campaign to save the house, and was wondering how I might go about interesting your magazine in doing some editorial on the grand old structure.

If you are not the appropriate person to contact, I'd appreciate it if you could forward this eamil to someone in editorial who might have an interest in this issue.

Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Matt Connor

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