Drive down 13th Street in South Allison Hill, and you’re sure to notice two buildings that stand out, located between Swatara and Kittatinny streets.
The first is an old school, which has long since been converted to apartments. The second is a stately Georgian Revival home, known by locals as “The Mansion.”
Built in 1909 by prominent Harrisburg attorney and community activist A. Carson Stamm,
the four-story structure and adjacent carriage house have 20 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms.
It’s well known among people in the community, as it has housed several non-profits over the last 30 years. Today, a faith-based organization, Burn 24-7, uses the structure as its global headquarters, staff housing and training school. It often serves as a gathering place for neighborhood children, who stop by after school and on the weekends.
The presence of Burn 24-7 in this particular neighborhood is not random, but very intentional.
“We recently had three shootings within six weeks, all within a block of the house,” said Tannon Herman, director of The Mansion. “That’s why we’re here: to initiate change and restore hope for a better Allison Hill.”
Herman and his wife, Cristina, moved to Harrisburg from Oklahoma in 2013. They initially had no intention of running The Mansion, but couldn’t say no when the opportunity presented itself.
“Community transformation is what we’ve given our lives to, and it was what the man who originally built the house gave his life to as well,” Herman stated.
Stamm, the first owner, served on the Harrisburg school board during the early 20th century and played a significant role in the development of the many schools that were built in the city during that time, including the one next door to The Mansion. He is also remembered for the role he played alongside City Beautiful advocate J. Horace McFarland in connecting Allison Hill to downtown via the Mulberry Street Bridge.
Burn 24-7 continues that community mission, unifying service to others with a deep sense of spirituality. Founded in an Oklahoma college dorm in 2006, the now-global organization re-located to Harrisburg several years ago.
“There are currently more than 30 of us living at The Mansion,” said Kelsie Plante, a native of Alberta, Canada, and missions director for Burn 24-7. “People have moved here from all over the country to live here in Allison Hill and reach out to the community. “
The purpose of The Mansion is not just to serve Allison Hill, but to be a part of Allison Hill.
“We are here long-term to make this neighborhood a better place for everyone, a safe place for families to raise their children,” said Plante.
One of the ways that The Mansion serves the local community is through the annual Harvest Party, which is held in the fall. The most recent event, in November, consisted of an afternoon of entertainment, games, a shared meal, free family photos and a coat drive.
“The Harvest Party is just one of the ways we seek to bring the community together,” said Plante. “Our neighborhood has been through some especially difficult times lately, and we wanted to have a fun day focused on families.”
Julio and Mary Torres, 25-year residents of Hummel Street, attended the Harvest Party with their son.
“This is my first time here,” Julio said of The Mansion. “I’ve always heard of a lot of good coming from this place.”
A tour of The Mansion reveals many areas where renovations are needed, like many of the turn-of-the-century homes throughout Harrisburg. The Burn 24-7 team appears to have made much progress in a short time on the renovation work, which they are taking on themselves.
Members believe that restoring The Mansion to its former splendor is one of the keys for its sustainability as an attractive residence in Allison Hill.
“That’s the difference between us and other community service organizations,” Herman said. “We actually live here. This is our neighborhood.”
Learn more about Burn 24/7, its mission and its beliefs at www.burn24-7.com.
