Harden Place chosen as movie set for the major motion picture titled "Where'd You Go, Bernadette"

Yesterday, Harden Place was selected by Annapurna Productions to be a movie set for the major motion picture titled "Where'd You Go Bernadette".  The movie is based on the National Bestselling novel written by Maria Semple and published in 2012.  Academy Award winning actress Cate Blanchett and renowned actress Kristen Wiig will star in the movie. Founder and President Jim Deibel stated "We are grateful and excited that Harden Place has been selected for such a prestigious motion picture. This will help the foundation pursue its passion of celebrating the heritage of the Hays Family and the greater Munhall & Homestead communities."  Please see our Facebook page "Hays Mansion" https://www.facebook.com/HaysMansion/ and hit the "Like" button to remain informed of our progress.  Also, if you are interested in financially supporting the foundation, please click the Donate button to make a charitable donation to our cause.

Memorial Day Weekend Celebration

On Saturday May 23, 2015, descendants of Abraham and Fannie Hays, founding pioneers of this area in 1767, Mayor Ray Bodnar, borough council members Rob Falce and Bernie Shields, members of the Munhall Volunteer Fire Department #5, members of the Mifflin Township Historical Society and citizens of the greater Munhall/Homestead/Pittsburgh area gathered to celebrate the unveiling of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Historical Marker given to Harden Place in 1975. The event was also the kick-off the "Save Hays Mansion" fundraising campaign to restore this incredible piece of American history. Mayor Bodnar and borough council member pledged to provide their support in any way possible to see this dream become a reality. A letter from Andrew E. Masich, CEO and President of The Senator John Heinz History Center was read to the crowd in support of our cause. Entertainment was provided by Johnny Fontaine and a delicious lunch was provided by McClaren's Bar. Munhall Boy Scout Troop #4 presented colors to begin the event and members of our military were honored for their service to our country. Tours of the mansion were given after the ceremony to demonstrate our commitment in saving this historic place. For all those who were unable to attend, please make your tax deductible donation at www.abrahamhaysfoundation.org/donate. We look forward to seeing you next year!

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Memorial Day Weekend Celebration

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CELEBRATION

MAY 23, 2015, NOON

HARDEN PLACE

MUNHALL, PENNSYLVANIA

Please mark your calendar and come celebrate with us on May 23, 2015 from noon until 4:00 p.m. at Harden Place “Hays Mansion located off of Whitaker Way and 8th Avenue in Munhall, Pennsylvania (behind Firehouse #5).  The Hays family and friends are working very hard cleaning the mansion so that you may take a look around at our progress and envision our future.

Lunch:  We will have lunch ready for you, prepared by McClaren’s Bar

Music:  Provided by Johnny Fontaine

Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation will unveil a Historical Marker that it bestowed to the mansion as “Hays House” in 1975. This event will mark the formal kickoff of our “Save Hays Mansion” fundraising campaign and elevate community awareness about this special place.  There will be a suggestion box available for you to tell us what you believe the future adaptive reuse of Harden Place could be, once restored.

PLEASE RSVP BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO jdeibel@abrahamhaysfoundation.org

We are looking forward to meeting all of our new found Hays cousins and friends who reside in the immediate area.  Looking forward to seeing you soon!

The Abraham Hays Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) Pennsylvania non-profit corporation.

Harden Place Gifted To Abraham Hays Foundation

PRESS RELEASE: JANUARY 12, 2015

Company: The Abraham Hays Foundation, Inc.

Website:  www.abrahamhaysfoundation.org

Email:  jdeibel@abrahamhaysfoundation.org

Facebook: Hays Mansion

Contact:  James M. Deibel, President

Phone:  214-882-1343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Abraham Hays Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation announces it has recently taken ownership of Harden Place, otherwise known as Hays Mansion in Munhall, Pennsylvania. This was a result of the generous donation of the mansion by gift deed from Riverbend Mansion, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company, Dr. Mark Draper and his wife Constance Draper. “We are humbled and extremely grateful to the Drapers for their generous contribution to the foundation and will work tirelessly to restore this historic place for the benefit of the Hays family, the Borough of Munhall and the greater Pittsburgh community” says Jim Deibel, President of the foundation. The original homestead was settled by Abraham and Fannie Hays in 1767 upon their arrival from Baltimore County, Maryland. Ten generations of Hays family spent their lives there. Based on its Italianate architecture, Hays Mansion was erected by the family sometime between 1832 and 1860 after the flood of February 10, 1832 when the original homestead was washed down the Monongahela River. In 1975, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation included “Hays House” on its roster of historic places and provided a plaque designating it a historic landmark in the community.  The mansion was passed down to Hays descendants over 135 years of consecutive ownership until September 1995 when it was sold to Hardin Place, Inc. The mansion was subsequently purchased in September 2004 by Riverbend Mansion, LLC to save it from demolition. Last year, the foundation made application to The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for inclusion as a state historical landmark. When approved, the foundation will then seek inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Thanks to all who have assisted us along the way.  We look forward to an incredible future.