Pennsylvania's shrinking number of metal truss bridges topped the list of the announcement of 2008 Pennsylvania At Risk made by Preservation Pennsylvania, a statewide historic preservation group. Melinda Crawford, Executive Director, of Preservation Pennsylvania announced all eight resources at a press conference held November 17 on the Walnut Street Bridge in Harrisburg.
The site of the press conference, the Walnut Street Bridge, was listed on Preservation Pennsylvania's 1996 Pennsylvania At Risk list. The so-called "People's Bridge" successfully averted a preservation crisis and is now an important waterfront resource in the daily lives of those who live and work in Harrisburg.
Pennsylvania At Risk serves as a representative sampling of the Commonwealth's most endangered historic resources. For the purpose of the list, endangerment is defined as threat of demolition, significant deterioration, vandalism, alteration, and/or loss of its historic setting. It is our belief that publishing this list draws statewide attention to the plight of Pennsylvania's historic resources, promotes local action to protect resources, and encourages additional state funding for historic sites.
Other resources included on this year's Pennsylvania At Risk list include:
The Pennsylvania Turnpike
Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Kemmerer Park Carriage House, Jim Thorpe, Carbon County
Pennhurst State School and Hospital, East Vincent Township, Chester County
Roosevelt Middle School, Erie City, Erie County
