City as Text

City As TExt

City as Text™ refers to structured explorations of environments and ecosystems. Designed as on-going laboratories through which small, self-guided teams investigate contested areas and issues in urban environments or competing forces in natural ones, these exercises foster critical inquiry and integrative learning across disciplines. Please note that these are NOT guided tours. Students will be given instructions, maps, and reflection questions to consider when exploring different areas of Harrisburg. Please note that some of these destinations involve entrance fees, depending on what you choose to do in each strand. You will also need to purchase your lunch on all excursions, unless otherwise indicated.

Please read the CAT strand descriptions below and decide which one(s) you plan to attend prior to the conference. Feel free to combine elements of multiple CAT strands to personalize your experience! Please again note that some destinations have entrance fees.

You should arrive at the CAT Orientation Session promptly at 8:30 AM on Friday, wearing comfortable walking shoes, dressed appropriately for the weather. Please return to the hotel by 3:00 PM to prepare for the 3:30 PM Performing Arts & Film Showcase.

Suggestion

Bring documentation of student or senior citizen status for discounts (where applicable).

For general information about Harrisburg see the

City of Harrisburg website

Community Service Strand

This year, NRHC has arranged two community service events. Participation is limited, so be sure to sign up early, and then please be sure to follow through.

In the Harrisburg community, Downtown Daily Bread is a walk-in resource center for all hungry and homeless individuals. Downtown Daily Bread was founded on March 23,1983 by Pine Street Presbyterian Church. The mission of Downtown Daily Bread is to confront hunger and homelessness by offering daily food and shelter, delivering services, fostering community, and inspiring hope. Student volunteers in this strand will help in the lunchroom, in the Renewed Hope Pantry, and in the inventory clothing room. The service event will take place from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.

Website: https://downtowndailybread.org/

Sign-up: Limited to 12 participants

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY

limited to 12 people

Time: 10 AM to 1 PM

Tasks: Working in lunchroom, packing lunches, organizing the pantry, and sorting clothes.

Spots are limited! Sign up ASAP, but only sign up if you intend to follow through on this important service activity.

ON-SITE SERVICE ACTIVITY

This year, NRHC will give back to the Harrisburg community by hosting a blanket-making event, with all blankets to be donated to Central PA Operation Warm Hearts.

Please indicate if you wish to participate in this service-learning activity on Friday, March 29.

Activity: Making No-Sew Blankets for Central PA Operation Warm Hearts
Location: At the conference hotel (Space TBD)

Spots are limited! Sign up ASAP, but only sign up if you intend to follow through on this important service activity.

Destinations Within Walking Distance of Conference Center Hotel

Capitol Park

The Pennsylvania State Capitol building is a functional seat of government, where laws are passed and the public policy is set for over 12 million residents of Pennsylvania. Visitors are welcome to explore the Capitol Building at their leisure, on regular weekdays. Leave plenty of time to visit the Interactive Welcome Center and Capitol Gift Shop.

Tours fill quickly. We recommend scheduling in advance. Walk-ins are welcome according to availability. Arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour time and check in with the guide at the information desk. Tours are limited to 40 guests total per tour. Book your tour online at www.pacapitol.com. You may now book one year in advance. As a reminder, self-guided tours are not permitted weekends and holidays.

Location: Department of General Services Annex Complex, 4 Cherry Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17120

Website: http://www.pacapitol.com/

CLICK BELOW FOR A WALKING MAP TO

Capitol Park

Sprocket Mural Works: Murals Walking Tour

Sprocket Mural Works collaborates with neighborhoods, artists, and organizations to create vibrant community murals in the Harrisburg, PA region. Our mission is to nurture community pride and civic engagement through creative action. Sprocket Mural Works is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The linked map provides destinations that are very close to the conference hotel, featuring a variety of murals that Sprocket has collaborated on with the local community. Explore their interactive maps for Harrisburg and York! View a downloadable Harrisburg map. Preview murals - and then go enjoy them in person!

Website: Sprocket Mural Works

Download pdf map for mural tour

The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Since its creation in 1905, The State Museum of Pennsylvania has collected, preserved, researched, and interpreted the cultural and natural history of the state. Over the years, the museum has greatly expanded its collections and modernized its public offerings to serve the needs of succeeding generations of Pennsylvanians. Originally located next to the Capitol, the museum moved to its current location in 1964. It became a bureau of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 1945.

Location: 300 North St, Harrisburg, PA 17120

Entrance Fee: $7

Website: Homepage - The State Museum of Pennsylvania (statemuseumpa.o

Click below for a walking map to the State Museum of Pennsylvania

Susquehanna Art Museum

The Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM) offers innovative and engaging exhibitions enjoyed by visitors of all ages. As Harrisburg’s only dedicated art museum, it is a cultural anchor for central Pennsylvania. SAM is unique as a non-collecting museum, and new exhibitions rotate multiple times each year. Located at 1401 N. 3rd Street in historic Midtown Harrisburg, SAM is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Location: 1401 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17102

Entrance Fee: $8 (Adults), $5 (Students w/ ID)

Website: Susquehanna Art Museum | SAM at the Marty

Get a walking map to the

Susquehanna Art Museum

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts

Whitaker Center is conveniently located in downtown Harrisburg and offers an enriching experience filled with a blend of science, art, and entertainment. Whitaker Center features a variety of different attractions, including the UPMC Science Center, the Sunoco Performance Theater, PNC Innovation Zone, and the Select Medical Digital Cinema, each offering unique experiences. Whether you’re interested in immersive science exhibits or an evening of performing arts, a visit to the Whitaker Center will captivate visitors of all ages!

To make the most of your trip, start by exploring the Whitaker Center’s website to check the latest exhibits, live performances, showtimes, and special events!

Location: 222 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Entrance Fee: $8 (Adults), $5 (Students w/ ID)

Website: https://whitakercenter.org/

Get a walking map to

Whitaker Center

Harrisburg Sunken Gardens

Looking across the Susquehanna River and the appealing Riverwalk, it's hard to imagine that this was once the site of the logging industry. Throughout the nineteenth century, lumbering was a major industry. Logs were floated downriver to sawmills in Harrisburg. The stretch of river from Calder to Herr streets was the center of activity. Called Hardscrabble, the neighborhood was rough-and-tumble with bars, liveries, cheap lodging and businesses catering to river traffic. As the logging industry declined, complaints about conditions and activities in Hardscrabble increased.

The Harrisburg League of Municipal Improvements – one of the first civic improvement organizations in the country – developed plans to convert Hardscrabble into part of Riverside Park. The basements of some of the demolished buildings were retained to create the unique plan of the sunken garden. The formal, symmetrical design is reminiscent of gardens in elegant, historic estates, a far cry from the garden's roots in Hardscrabble. (

Location: Harrisburg Sunken Garden, 1210 N Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17102

Website: https://izi.travel/en/fea3-sunken-gar

Walking map to

Sunken Gardens

Strawberry Square Market

Located in the heart of downtown Harrisburg, Strawberry Square Market has both shopping and dining options.

Location: Strawberry Square, 320 Market St, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Website: Strawberry Square Market

Walking map to

Strawberry Square

Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is a stunning and lively destination along the Susquehanna River, one of the oldest rivers in the world. With its expansive green spaces, well-maintained walking and biking paths, and picturesque Riverwalk, the park offers visitors a serene and scenic escape. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a day filled with activities, Riverfront Park is a must-visit spot that showcases the beauty and vibrancy of Harrisburg.

Location: 200 S Front St Harrisburg, PA 17104

Entrance Fee: Free

Website: https://www.explorehbg.com/listings/riverfront-park/8907/

click for walking map to Riverfront Park

City Island

In the middle of the Susquehanna River, only a short bridge span away from Harrisburg, sits a 63 acre island and city park. City Island is a tourist destination which is home to numerous businesses including the Harrisburg Senators Baseball Stadium (FNB Park), the Penn Football Club (previously the City Islanders), The Harrisburg Beach Club, the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, Cafe Huey, South Mountain Carriage Company, Water Golf miniature golf, City Island Railroad, volleyball courts, and many free parks, playgrounds, and fields. The Island also contains archaeological remains of the Susquehannocks and the Iroquois tribes, who at one time established seasonal settlements here.

Location: Off Market St. Bridge Harrisburg, PA 17101

Entrance Fee: Free (some activities cost varying amounts)

Website: https://harrisburgpa.gov/city-island/

Get a walking map for

City Island

CAT Destinations Requiring Vehicle Transportation

National Civil War Museum

The National Civil War Museum interprets the full story of the American Civil War. The museum's collections include artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs that document the war experience and its aftermath from multiple perspectives. A visit to the museum will inspire you to learn more about the war and its enduring legacy.

NOTE: DO NOT WALK HERE! To visit the National Civil War Museum, you will need to drive to the location (or arrange an Uber).

Location: One Lincoln Circle Harrisburg, PA 17103

Cost: $16 (Adults) $14 (Students)

Website: https://www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org/visit/

Driving map to get to National Civil War Museum: One Lincoln Circle Harrisburg, PA 17103