The Hummelstown Area Historical Society will celebrate the 1815 Parish House by presenting a new exhibit about the structure in the society's History House, 32 W. Main St. The grand opening will take place on Sunday, May 1, from 1 to 3 p.m., and the exhibit may be viewed through October during normal business hours on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. There is no charge for admission, but donations will be accepted.

Titled "Preserving the Parish House in Words, Photographs, and Deeds," the display will include more than 100 vintage and contemporary photographs, as well as renderings by local artists. A written history of the building by Linda Fenical, past president of the society and historian for the Parish House, will be available at no charge.

A "Then and Now" display will feature vintage and current views of the interior of the Parish House. Viewers may notice that little has changed in the building's appearance since renovations in 1855. The historical society has renovated the building with a bathroom, a kitchen, meeting rooms, and heating and air-conditioning, carrying out these modifications in ways that are sensitive to the building's historical integrity.

A meet-and-greet with artist Daniel Petruzzi will take place at the History House from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. Petruzzi will be available to discuss his recent works of the Parish House.

The Parish House property is among the lots reserved by Frederick Hummel for religious affairs in 1762 in his newly surveyed town. The lots, which also include the Hummel Cemetery, occupy the highest point in Hummelstown Borough. The Society is only the second owner of these lots, the first being Zion Lutheran Church. The society has maintained the Parish House for 50 years.

Visitors to the Parish House in future months may notice an external change to the building, as the mortar on the limestone exterior walls will be replaced. Portions of the mortar are missing or disintegrating, leaving the building at risk of physical damage. Water and moisture can seep into the interior during rain storms. In past efforts to address these issues, four different types of mortar were used for patching.

The project is funded using money received from the society's recent fundraising effort for the Preservation Fund along with grants awarded by Dauphin County. Haldeman restoration specialists have been entrusted with the project, which is scheduled to begin this summer.