New Castle’s Urban Renewal: Through the Eyes of John Hitch

During the 1960s and '70s, urban renewal was the reaction to the series of decades of deferred maintenance. Cities across the United States applied for federal assistance to revitalize their communities. New Castle, Pennsylvania was one of the first communities to apply for this money in Pennsylvania. Beginning the work to develop a comprehensive plan of action, New Castle's Redevelopment Authority began to acquire properties through eminent domain and other avenues in order to redevelop the city. Although, as work began, the number of displaced individuals grew. These impacts are shown today within the city and the surrounding community.

During the 1960s and '70s, urban renewal was the reaction to the series of decades of deferred maintenance. These properties began to be classified as "blighted" and were thought to harm the city's infrastructure and economic opportunity. Cities across the United States applied for federal assistance to revitalize their communities. Programs through the newly formed, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development financed the development of these areas. New Castle, Pennsylvania was one of the first communities to apply for this money in Pennsylvania. Beginning the work to develop a comprehensive plan of action, New Castle's Redevelopment Authority began to acquire properties through eminent domain and other avenues in order to redevelop the city. Although, as work began, the number of displaced individuals grew. These impacts are shown today within the city and the surrounding community.

The Lawrence County Historical Society was established in 1938 in New Castle, Pennsylvania to preserve, protect and promote local history. Lawrence County is located in Western Pennsylvania and lies north of Pittsburgh and south of Erie. It consists of the following 16 townships: Hickory, Little Beaver, Mahoning, Neshannock, North Beaver, Perry, Plain Grove, Pulaski, Scott, Shenango, Slippery Rock, Taylor, Union, Washington, Wayne, Wilmington. The Lawrence County Historical Society was charted in 1938. Attorney Charles Young was the founder and served as president until his death in 1943. While the Society remained intact, it was inactive for a number of years. In 1976, during the Bicentennial of the United States, it was revived by Dr. Ellis Hoffman, Rosemary Hoffman and others. With diligent nurturing, the society began to flourish. A bold step forward came in 1982 when the family of the late Joseph A. Clavelli donated the beautiful 19-room mansion built in 1904 for local tin plate magnate, George Greer, to the Society. Mr. Clavelli purchased the home in 1965 and restored it to its former elegance before his death in 1968. The mansion, now named the Joseph A. Clavelli Cultural Heritage Center, serves as headquarters for the Society and as a museum depicting the county's rich heritage.