As a non-profit organization, the One City Historical Foundation depends on contributions from donors like you. Your support also allows us to share our enriching programs and events with our community. In order to have programs inside the house, it has to be able to accommodate people. With that in mind, the foundation’s first goal is to rebuild the front porch, which was torn off by a previous owner, c. 2000.

The porch restoration is important for several reasons:

• It will provide physical access to all visitors.
• It is critical to the building’s structural integrity and well being. The porch shields two sides of the house from the sun’s intense exposure, thereby protecting the fragile stained glass, leaded windows and front door.
• A porch will provide additional space for programming.
• It is a highly visible activity that will immediately demonstrate progress is underway.
• As one of the most prominent houses on Huntington Avenue along the gateway to downtown Newport News, it sets the tone for all of North End.  Its restoration improves every property in the neighborhood and the city.

The foundation has pledged to raise the necessary funds for the porch materials.  The city of Newport News has engaged an architect to develop construction documents to determine costs.  It is estimated the materials will run $50,000.

We encourage you to contribute to the fund and to ask your friends and family to sponsor a deck board, a spindle, a column or whatever fits your pocketbook.

Your dollars are integral to our success, and we thank you for your support. The foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax exempt to the fullest extent allowed by law.

How to Donate
Donate by Mail:
Send checks to:
One City Historical Foundation 
P.O. Box 253
Newport News, VA 23607
or...
Donate by Phone:
Call 757-245-1957

First published on March 13, 2017 at 9:43 AM by City of Newport News Communications Department

In late 2015 the Newport News City Council accepted The Harwood House at 5400 Huntington Avenue as part of its inventory of historic properties. Since then, Parks, Recreation and Tourism’s Historic Services Division has been working with the nonprofit One City Historical Foundation to develop a master plan and raise funds for its renovation. 
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One element of immediate concern was the stained glass. When constructed in 1900, the residence featured five magnificent stained glass windows – the most of any house in North End. A square one greeted guests in the foyer, two fan-shaped ones accented the 54th Street approach, one was in the bathroom and a bejeweled oval beauty was part of the master bedroom suite. 

Last year, The Harwood House was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Newport News Cultural Attractions Fund to repair the stained glass windows. Although the windows were thoroughly cleaned, flattened and relined in 2007 under the stewardship of then owner Mary Kayaselcuk, by 2016 vandalism combined with intense summer heat had imperiled them again. Most critical was the one facing Huntington Avenue. 

The firm of Goldkuhle Studios of Hanover, Va. was contracted by the city to perform the exacting work. The firm removed the windows last summer for repair. Flattening, replacing missing glass and re-leading is a painstakingly slow and cautious process; however, by spring the windows should again hold pride of place. 

For those interested in knowing more or getting involved with the effort to revitalize The Harwood House, call 757- 525-7372 or visit One City Historical Foundation on Facebook.