Preservationists fight to save Underground Railroad house after demolition permit request
Photo by Paul Kuehnel, File, York Daily Record
The Mifflin House, in Hellam Township, shown with a brick summer kitchen at left, is in jeopardy of being demolished. Historic preservationists, noting its connection to the Underground Railroad, want it saved.
(Harrisburg) — A developer is asking for permission to demolish a building that once was a safe house on the Underground Railroad.
Kinsley Properties recently requested a demolition permit for Mifflin House in York County, but preservationists are hoping it can be stopped.
Historians say in the 19th century, the Mifflin family sheltered slaves who were fleeing from the south, to freedom in the north.
The property in Hellam Township was also the site of some fighting during the Civil War.
Jane Heller is trying to save the house and says she’s upset with both the owners and Kinsley.
“This is the kind of thing a Trump would do. And it’s sad that we have been reduced to that level of grabbing for money, regardless of the historic value to the community,” says Heller.
Heller says Kinsley should consider retrofitting the building so it can be preserved, instead of completely demolishing it.
“And they were all very, very upset that’s going to be demolished. But the problem is nobody knew, you see, these things creep up and creep up and nobody knows and bunk, all of a sudden, down it is,” says Heller. She says she first found out about the threat last November.
Kinsley Properties did not respond to a request for comment.
The demolition permit request comes just after another developer knocked down the historic Bell Tavern in Cumberland County.
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