Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism

Specific Need

The Oil Region Alliance is seeking donations for the historic Tarbell House at 324 East Main Street, Titusville.

The ORA is seeking funds to hire an architectural/engineering firm to develop plans to address needed structural repairs and reinforcements to the historic Tarbell House. In 2007, the ORA purchased the childhood home of internationally known, investigative journalist, Ida M. Tarbell. To restore the building to its original form, the house underwent numerous major changes including, restoration of the original roof massing, replacement of the front porch, and reintroduction of the cupola tower on the upper story. These changes required nine years and several funding sources to complete. The house currently features event space on the first floor that is utilized for student-led Victorian teas, other ORA-sponsored educational events, house tours, and private parties. 

Recently, the ORA has noticed shifting and cracking within the house. While these changes are not detrimental to the structure's integrity, the ORA knows they need to be addressed. A design plan, therefore, is needed to identify required fixes and the proper repair techniques that will not impact the building's historic integrity. 

Mission

The mission of the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism is to manage the Oil Region National Heritage Area and to increase the prosperity of the Oil Region by enticing all people to live, work, learn, and play in “The Valley that Changed the World” through the preservation, promotion, development, and support of historical, educational, natural, recreational, residential, commercial, and industrial destinations.

Profile

The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism formed in 2005 through a merger of local non-profit organizations, including the former Oil Heritage Region, Inc.

For almost 20 years, the ORA has rehabilitated historic buildings, established recognition of the region as both Pennsylvania and National Heritage Areas, created and developed industrial parks, assisted the growth of local businesses, built recreational trails and amenities, preserved and interpreted the region’s heritage, and produced educational materials for students and adults. This is in addition to providing leadership in heritage preservation, tourism marketing, recreational development, and economic development.

ORA is the federally designated manager of the Oil Region National Heritage Area. Current ORA historical property projects include the Ida Tarbell House and William H. Scheide House in Titusville, the Downs Building and the former Salvation Army building in Oil City, and the Coal Oil Johnny House within Oil Creek State Park. The organization also facilitates the installation of historic markers and house plaques, interpretive panels, creates history and cultural educational materials, and coordinates the annual Oil Region Historic Preservation Awards.