Friends of Old Annville was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1981. Our mission emphasizes historic preservation and awareness. The focal point of our efforts is Historic Old Annville Day, an annual day-long celebration of the history of Annville. Friends of Old Annville also acts as a sponsor to the Quittie Creek Nature Park Project.
On a beautiful and eventually sunny Saturday in June, many hundreds of people poured into Annville for Historic Old Annville Day. The opening ceremonies at 9 AM featured speaker Phil Feather who talked about community events (and disasters), the founding of Friends of Old Annville, and 41 years of being a lawyer in Annville. Owen Moe presented the Property Pride Award, a painting by Jenny Paulson, to St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church on West Main Street for their beautiful and grand entrance doors made with wood imported from Egypt.
With 50 vendors this year, the event was expanded to include the first two blocks of East Main Street, giving a four block event extending from the Coptic Church on the west to the Free Library on the east.
Music at the bandstand at Kettering Corner included performances by the Quittapahilla Highlanders, the Washington Band, folk and bluegrass singer Jay Smar, Lee Moyer of Marty's Music, and the rock band Ragged Glory from Palmyra.
Food stands drew big lines much of the day and many kids activities made the day a perfect family event. The new streetscape project served as a beautiful background template for the many vendors set up under festive multicolored sun canopies. All in all, it was a fantastic day in Annville.
Friends of Old Annville (FOOA) announces a new pilot Façade Grant Program to assist property owners, both residential and business, in the restoration and preservation of the facades of historic buildings in Annville. Please see this information about this program.
Friends of Old Annville presented its 2009 Historic Building Award to Tom and Julie Tshudy for their excellent work on the Patriot House Bed and Breakfast (original John Saylor home, built prior to 1875) at 301 East Main Street in Annville.
Visit our recently updated Tour of East Annville.
See www.oldwestannville.com for a website dedicated to the history of Old West Annville.
See Artful Images of Annville by Laura Charelian