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News & Updates
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Remembering Delta Place
Where the grassroots efforts began!
Long before it was a landmark, the Slifer House stood on what was once Delta Place, a vast farm owned by Eli Slifer — Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War.
Designed by noted architect Samuel Sloan and completed in 1861, the home reflected both the prosperity and ideals of its time. With its Italianate architecture, four-story tower, and sprawling porches, it symbolized progress and optimism in a rapidly changing world.
Today, it’s our responsibility to protect that legacy — to keep Delta Place from becoming just another lost chapter in Pennsylvania’s history.
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A New Chapter Begins: Forming the Save the Slifer House Committee
Forming the Save the Slifer House Committee
The inaugural meeting of the Save the Slifer House Committee marked a turning point in the story of this historic home. Residents from across Union County joined to discuss preservation goals, nonprofit formation, and the future of the Slifer House.
Subcommittees were created to focus on architecture, trades, outreach, fundraising, and legal structure — setting the stage for long-term sustainability.
Our mission is clear: to preserve not just a building, but the history and spirit it represents. This committee will serve as the foundation for the future Eli Slifer Foundation, ensuring the house’s story continues to inspire generations to come.
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Building Partnerships: SUN Tech, Bucknell, and Penn College Join the Effort
Forming the Save the Slifer House Committee
In exciting news for the preservation effort, SUN Area Technical Institute, Bucknell, and Pennsylvania College of Technology have expressed interest in helping restore the Slifer House.
These partnerships could allow students to gain real-world experience in construction, carpentry, historic architecture, and restoration design, while giving back to their community.
Our next step will be to meet with program directors and outline specific project goals. We’re thrilled to see education and preservation come together to save a piece of Pennsylvania’s history.
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Over 500 Signatures and Growing!
We are growing momentum!
Our Change.org petition to protect and restore the Slifer House has gained hundreds of signatures in just a few weeks! Every name added to the list sends a message to township officials that this building matters to the people who call this place home.
Thank you to everyone who has signed, shared, and spoken out in support of this cause.
If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to sign and share the petition here — and encourage friends, family, and neighbors to join the effort. Together, we can make preservation impossible to ignore.
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Save the Slifer House Featured in The Daily Item
Our preservation efforts were highlighted in The Daily Item, bringing wider attention to the formation of our nonprofit foundation and the growing community movement to protect the Slifer House.
On October 28th, The Daily Item published a story introducing the public to our newly formed nonprofit effort to preserve the historic Slifer House. The article helped raise awareness about our mission, shared our early progress, and explained why community involvement is so important at this stage.
The feature covered:
- The formation of the Save the Slifer House Committee
- Our plans to establish the Eli Slifer Foundation
- The history and architectural significance of the Slifer House
- The community’s growing interest in protecting the building
- Our goals of collaborating with local schools, volunteers, and preservation partners
We’re grateful to the Daily Item for helping amplify our message. Every article, conversation, and share brings more people into this effort — and strengthens our chances of preserving this landmark for future generations.
If you haven’t seen the piece yet, you can read it here:
👉 (Insert link once published online)
Thank you to everyone who has supported, shared, and believed in this mission. This is just the beginning — and with continued community involvement, we can make a real difference.
Nov
1
How You Can Help: Volunteers Needed to Save the Slifer House
As we move closer to establishing the Eli Slifer Foundation, we’re building a strong base of volunteers to power our next steps. Whether you can donate time, tools, or talent, your help makes a tangible difference.
We especially welcome those with skills in:
- Historic research and documentation
- Construction, painting, or carpentry
- Event planning or community outreach
- Photography and social media promotion
If you’re ready to get involved, please reach out at [email protected] or sign up on our Get Involvedpage. Together, we can ensure this incredible home stands for another 160 years.
Nov
3
Update on Our Meeting With Asbury RiverWoods
Earlier this month, members of the Save the Slifer House Committee met with Aaron Barth, Executive Director of Asbury RiverWoods, to discuss the current outlook for the Slifer House property.
The meeting gave us a clearer understanding of Asbury’s position and the challenges involved in preserving the building. While it was a difficult conversation, we appreciate the opportunity to communicate directly and hear their perspective.
What we learned:
- Asbury has been considering demolition since July, and at this time, that remains their default plan.
- Concerns were raised about the building’s condition and the feasibility of restoration.
- The discussion highlighted the importance of community involvement, creative problem-solving, and exploring all available preservation options.
Although the conversation was discouraging at moments, it also reinforced why our committee formed in the first place: to give this historic home a chance, and to bring awareness, resources, and community voices to the table.
We remain hopeful and committed. Moving forward, we will continue:
- Building partnerships with local schools, trades, and preservation organizations
- Advancing our nonprofit status
- Exploring grants, funding options, and alternative solutions
- Keeping the public informed every step of the way
The Slifer House has been part of our region for over 160 years. With continued community support, we believe there is still a path forward.
Thank you for standing with us as we work to protect this important piece of local history.
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Nonprofit Status in Progress: 1023-EZ Filed for the Eli Slifer Foundation
On Friday, November 14, we officially filed our IRS Form 1023-EZ, the streamlined application for 501(c)(3) charitable status.
This is a huge milestone in the journey from a grassroots committee to a fully recognized nonprofit foundation.
Obtaining 501(c)(3) status will allow the Eli Slifer Foundation to:
- Accept tax-deductible donations
- Apply for preservation and heritage grants
- Partner with local and national funding organizations
- Operate transparently under federal nonprofit standards
We expect to hear back from the IRS within the next few months. In the meantime, our committee continues to plan outreach, volunteer events, and fundraising to keep momentum strong.
Your continued support — whether through sharing our story, donating, or volunteering — makes all the difference during this critical stage.
Nov
15
Save the Slifer House on Local Radio!
This past Saturday and Sunday, our Save the Slifer House mission made it onto local radio! We were invited to speak about the history of the Slifer House, our nonprofit formation, and why preserving this local landmark matters now more than ever.
During the interview, we discussed:
- The origins of the Save the Slifer House Committee
- Our progress toward establishing the Eli Slifer Foundation
- The community response and momentum building around preservation
- The challenges the house is currently facing
- Ways listeners can get involved through volunteering, donations, and sharing the mission
Reaching listeners across the region helped us introduce the project to people who may not follow social media or local papers, expanding awareness and support.
We’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for the hosts who helped us share the Slifer House story with a wider audience.
If you missed the interview, we’ll share the recording link here once it becomes available.
Thank you to everyone who tuned in — and to everyone who continues to help keep this historic home in the public eye. Together, we can save a piece of Pennsylvania history.
Nov
18
Making It Official in Pennsylvania: Filing with the BCCO
In addition to filing our 1023-EZ application for federal 501(c)(3) status, we’ve taken another important legal step: submitting our paperwork to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations (BCCO).
This filing helps to:
- Formally establish the Eli Slifer Foundation as a recognized nonprofit corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Register us for charitable oversight and compliance, ensuring we meet state requirements for organizations that solicit and receive donations.
- Build a transparent structure for managing funds, applying for grants, and entering into partnerships on behalf of the Slifer House.
While much of this work happens quietly behind the scenes, it is absolutely essential to the long-term success of the project. These filings show that we are serious, organized, and committed to preserving the Slifer House with integrity and accountability.
As we await responses from both the IRS and the BCCO, our committee continues moving forward with outreach, partnerships, and planning — and your support keeps that momentum going.
Nov
18
Taking It to the Community: Save the Slifer House Heads to Local Events
We’re thrilled to announce that the Save the Slifer House Committee will soon be tabling at local venues to spread awareness and connect with the public.
Our goal is to meet neighbors where they are — at community events, local markets, and storefronts — to share the history of the Slifer House and the urgent need to preserve it.
Upcoming Plans:
- Walmart Lewisburg / Weis Markets tabling (dates TBA): stop by to sign the petition, grab informational flyers, and meet volunteers.
- Local craft and heritage fairs: partnering with area artisans and schools to promote preservation through creativity and education.
Each table will feature:
- Photos of the Slifer House, including historic images and current conditions
- Donation options and QR codes linking to our site
- Volunteer sign-up sheets and committee information
- Merchandise or small fundraising items where permitted
If you’d like to help us table — even for an hour — or can connect us with a local business that welcomes community outreach, please email [email protected]. Your presence helps turn curiosity into community action.
Share Your Slifer Story!
Everyone has a Slifer story — and we want to hear yours. Whether you visited the Slifer House Museum as a child, admired its architecture from the road, worked or volunteered on the grounds, celebrated a milestone here, or simply felt inspired by its history, your memories matter. These personal stories help us preserve not just a building, but the spirit of a community woven through generations. By sharing your Slifer story, you become part of the collective effort to honor Samuel Sloan’s legacy, protect this historic landmark from demolition, and shape its future. We invite you to add your voice and help keep the history of Slifer House alive.
