On April 30, 1979, the National Park Service officially placed
the Annville Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Situated
primarily on Queen and Main Streets, the Annville Historic District includes over
260 separate buildings. In the fall of 1979, Friends of Old Annville (FOOA) arose
out of the group of local citizens that had worked together to inventory the historic
buildings for the National Register. In 1981, FOOA officially incorporated as a
nonprofit organization that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue code.
The mission of the Friends of Old Annville emphasizes
preservation and education. FOOA regularly hosts meetings and events that promote
historical awareness. In June 1989, the group instituted Historic Old Annville Day,
an annual day long celebration of Annville's history. In conjunction with the Greater
Annville Committee, FOOA works with local businesses to develop facades consistent
with the historic streetscape. FOOA worked with others in the community to develop
and promote a historic zoning ordinance that was adopted and instituted by the Annville
Township Board of Commissioners in 1977. Instituted at the same time was an Annville
Historic Area Review Board (HARB) to administer the ordinance.
In 1997, FOOA coordinated the events of a 250th anniversary celebration
of the founding of Annville. Among the events were: the Great Quittapahilla Inner
Tube Race, a play called "From the Porch", that was based on oral histories from
Annville residents, and a time capsule of artifacts from local organizations. In
1989, FOOA became sponsor to the Quittie Creek Nature Park Project. The park, initiated
through the efforts of local citizens, includes 23 acres of woodland along the Quittapahilla
Creek for passive recreation and includes historic lime kilns and a mill site on
the creek.
FOOA publishes a bimonthly newsletter, the LANDMARK,
to promote its programs and to inform its members. The LANDMARK, distributed to
over 450 members of FOOA, includes reports of local events, historic information,
and issues related to building restoration. FOOA also undertakes the publication
of books, such as the Pictorial History of Annville and a chronicle of the 250th
Anniversary celebration.