Main Street Gettysburg is pleased to launch a fundraising program to support the future Gettysburg Welcome Center – Legacy Endowment Fund.
Construction funds for the welcome center project are secured, thanks to local fundraising, Borough investment, and Congressional allocation. Main Street Gettysburg raised over $153,000; Borough of Gettysburg committed $300,000 under capital projects; and a Congressional Appropriation provided $1,272,436 for construction.
“With construction funds in hand, Main Street Gettysburg is now focused on the cost of operating the new facility, said Main Street Gettysburg President Jill Sellers. “Our goals are to reduce the local tax burden, alleviate the municipal costs, and ensure operational funds for the future.”
The endowment campaign goal is $1 million. The endowment account is managed by Adams County Community Foundation and will provide long-term operating funds to cover staffing, utilities, supplies, and custodial services.
The Legacy Endowment Fund was established in January with a $100,000 donation from Destination Gettysburg. The fund continues to grow thanks to other generous donors, including the J. William Warehime Foundation, which has issued a challenge grant for $100,000. New donations will be applied as match funds toward this challenge grant.
“The welcome center will support our businesses, residents, and visitors,” said Sellers. “With your help, this legacy project will serve our historic district for generations to come.”
The project is expected to begin in fall 2024 with a grand opening tentatively planned for summer 2025.
To donate to the Legacy Endowment Fund, Main Street Gettysburg. Contact 717-337-3491, or online at www.mainstreetgettysburg.org/donate. Or, contact Adams County Community Foundation at 717-337-0060, or www.adamscountycf.org.
ABOUT GETTYSBURG WELCOME CENTER
Gettysburg Welcome Center is a $1.5 million public facility project, which will create greater accessibility and walkability throughout the historic district. The project is in the center of downtown and will provide tourism, transportation, and event information, as well as public restrooms. Plans include new ADA-compliant facilities and will also be a place for information and directions – for tourism, local events, transportation, volunteer opportunities, and more. The building site at 340 Baltimore Street was generously donated to the Borough for this purpose.
ABOUT MAIN STREET GETTYSBURG
Main Street Gettysburg (MSG) was founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization to unite and lead the Gettysburg community in successful economic- and community-development projects to enhance the quality of life for Gettysburg and Adams County residents. The Main Street Gettysburg mission is to work with community partners for the historic preservation, economic revitalization, and overall enhancement of Gettysburg. The organization oversees ambitious initiatives and economic-development strategies. Major accomplishments include a 10-year interpretive plan for historic preservation in the Borough of Gettysburg; the $7.5 million Steinwehr Avenue Revitalization Project; over $480,000 in commercial investment under the Façade Improvement Program in 2023; annual Christmas Festival; and federal grant applications for the Baltimore Street Project. www.mainstreetgettysburg.org
ABOUT ADAMS COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Adams County Community Foundation was created to promote and facilitate charitable giving and to build a permanent civic endowment for Adams County. While the Community Foundation’s Adams County Grants are focused locally, the Community Foundation also provides a home for charitable funds created by donors which may make grants anywhere in Pennsylvania or across the country. The Adams County Community Foundation works to inspire people and communities to build and distribute charitable funds that will benefit Adams County for generations. www.adamscountycf.org
ABOUT J. WILLIAM WAREHIME FOUNDATION
The J. William Warehime Foundation was formed to continue Bill Warehime’s tradition of advancing public well-being through civic commitment and support of charitable institutions. The Foundation makes grants available for time-limited, project-specific expenses of charitable nonprofit organizations, educational bodies and government agencies. https://warehimefoundation.org/