Home | Samuel Harrison Society

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Samuel Harrison Society to restore and preserve Reverend Harrison's homestead; use it as a place to teach the values embodied in his noble life, his enduring beliefs, his extraordinary writings; and to define a chapter in the story of us as a people by providing greater insight into African-American history.

Planned Activities

June 19th - July 23rd, 2011: Celebrating African-American Culture & Heritage in the Berkshires

Monday, July 4th, 2011: Pittsfield Annual 4th of July Parade

For upcoming events, please view our Calendar of Events. Our Events Page can be also viewed for details on upcoming and other past events.

Greylock Federal Credit Union donates $50K!

The Greylock Federal Credit Union announced on Friday, July 1st, 2011, that they are donating $50,000 over the next three years to support the restoration of the Samuel Harrison House and the opening of the museum.

The Samuel Harrison House as it looks today!

The exterior work on the Samuel Harrison House at 82 Third Street was completed during the winter of 2008-2009. Interior work is expected to begin this year.

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

The Samuel Harrison Society (SHS) sponsored a Spaghetti Dinner. The Spaghetti Dinner (from 12pm to 2pm) was held at the American Legion Post 68 at 41 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto was in attendence.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

By T. Dobrowolski Publication: The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, MA) A freed slave, political activist, civil rights advocate and minister, the Rev. Samuel Harrison was born in Philadelphia, lived in New York, was educated in Ohio, and traveled to South Carolina during the Civil War.

But Pittsfield is where the first minister of the Second Congregational Church on Onota Street felt most at home.

"No warmer friends have I had anywhere than in Pittsfield," Harrison wrote in his autobiography. That statement still applies.

Here is an article and video from Capital News 9 of Albany, NY.

National Register of Historic Places

The Samuel Harrison Society is pleased to announce that the home of Samuel Harrison, located at 82 Third Street in Pittsfield, was accepted for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places on March 22, 2006. His home is a landmark representing his place in history and physically represents his lifestyle and position in his community.

Creating a New Museum

By J. Peter Bergman Publication: The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, MA) "A house on Third Street in Pittsfield, abandoned and left to decay and crumble for 20 years, is about to achieve a renaissance of sorts. Built in 1850, the house was first the home to the Reverend Samuel Harrison, a former slave who fought for the Union in the Civil War and won the right for equal pay for black and white soldiers serving in the Union Army."

Read the entire Berkshire Milestones Article.

Pittsfield moves to save home of Rev. Harrison
City officials are predicting the Harrison house on Third Street can become a museum honoring a locally famous African-American leader, after successful overtures have been made to place it on the National Register of Historic Places and transfer its ownership. The house of Rev. Samuel Harrison, abandoned and falling into decay, was placed on a list of structures slated for destruction two years ago by a city committed to neighborhood revitalization. As a matter of routine, the city submitted the list to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for its review. The commission wrote back on Oct 21, 2002, stating that the house at 82 Third St. was a “historic and archaeological asset of the Commonwealth” and that it was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under three separate categories of historic significance.

Quote - April 16, 2006

Article ID: 3716480 Publication: Berkshire Eagle, The (Pittsfield, MA) "I think the Reverend Harrison would be astounded to know that his house is now one of Pittsfield's historic landmarks." — Linda Tyer, first president of the Samuel Harrison Society

If you're interested in saving one of America's Treasures you can give to the Samuel Harrison Society by clicking donate.