BACKGROUND
The Borough of Columbia, Pennsylvania a Certified Local Government is located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River. This Central Pennsylvania area is the home of the Susquehannock. Wrights Ferry, the first name of this settlement, was established in 1730. The Wrights Ferry Mansion, built in 1738 by English Quakers is a historic museum. The Borough’s scenic location on the Susquehanna River has created numerous historical assets with natural resources creating opportunities for long-term growth. Visitors to Columbia Borough can appreciate its proximity to 5 National Parks the scenic river and historic structures on the Columbia Historic District (National Register Number 8300224).
OVERVIEW
The Columbia Borough Historic Architectural Review Board is an advisory board that makes recommendations, based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, to the Borough Council for the approval of any exterior changes concerning the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration of all or any part of a building or structure located within the boundaries of the Historic District and visible from a public right of way. HARB is authorized by PA State law to advise the Borough Council, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, and other agencies concerned with the preservation of historic sites, structures, and buildings. HARB meets to review and discuss applications and advise owners of historic buildings and structures regarding rehabilitation, repairs, maintenance, adaptive uses, tax incentives, and other historic preservation strategies. The board is composed of no less than five members and is to include one architect, one licensed real estate broker, and one building inspector.
For more information on HARB, see Chapter 130, Article IV of the Columbia Borough Code which can be found HERE.
Pictured Here: (First) “Wrights Ferry Mansion Lanco PA” by Smallbones from Wikimedia Commons, National Register #71995111 [A two-story brick house with red trim on the windows, ivy growing on the walls, and shrubbery surrounding it]. (Second) “Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge, Spanning Susquehanna River at Lincoln Highway (State Route 462), Columbia, Lancaster County, PA” by Joseph E. B. Elliot from the Library of Congress, National Register #71993303 [A bridge with several arches crossing a large, tranquil river]. (Third) “Wright's Ferry on the Susquehanna, Pennsylvania” by George Beck, 1809 from the New York Public Library Digital Collections [Two figures standing on the shore of a rocky river, several trees are visible in the foreground].
Note: Pictures sourced from Borough of Columbia, Discover Columbia, Susquehanna National Heritage Area, Discover Lancaster, and the Museum Council of Lancaster.
MEMBERS
Jonathan Lutz, Chair, Resident of Historic District
Matthew Barley, Interior Designer
Brian Brandt, Code Official
Peter D. Kerekgyarto, Vice Chair, Architect
Althea Ramsay Carrigan, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Resident of Historic District
Nathan Mountain, Licensed Real Estate Broker
Find the Volunteer Application HERE
Historic District Map
HARB Application
HARB Windows Application
The Secretary of the Interior Standards
National Park Service Technical Preservation Briefs
Survey information available to the public about locally designated historic resources can be accessed by clicking on this link: https://lancastercountyplanning.org/143/Historic-Resources-Inventory
