Whitaker Center

Kunkel Roles Moves Whitaker Center Closer To Center State for Harrisburg Region

Harrisburg, PA – The John C. Kunkel Foundation, one of the first major contributors to the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, is providing leadership in the effort to realize the dream of a living arts and science center for the region. The philanthropic foundation recently agreed to add to its original contribution, raising its total commitment to one million dollars.

Kunkel Foundation Executive Trustee Hasbrouck S. Wright cited the "vision of The Whitaker Center acting as a significant force for social, cultural and economic development for the region and the city of Harrisburg" in the official notification to The Whitaker Center.

The Foundation’s initial commitment to the Center served as "a vital stimulus adding considerable momentum to our early efforts to establish a regional cultural and educational facility," according to Harold A. McInnes, board chair of The Whitaker Center. "This involvement served as a major catalyst in moving the project forward from the concept stage," said McInnes. "That early support made it clear to others that The Whitaker Center was more than just an idea – it would really happen. It was also an important help in overcoming many of the roadblocks facing a project of such a major scale."

The Kunkel Foundation was established in 1965 in the name of John Crain and Katherine Smoot Kunkel, and serves to foster charitable, educational, religious, and scientific endeavors. The life span theme of "Statesman Humanitarian Friend" is embellished within the John Crain Kunkel and Katherine Smoot Kunkel Memorial prominently sited in Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park at the foot of State Street. Kunkel was a nine-term congressman and a member of a family which at some time held virtually every political post available in Dauphin County. The Foundation’s commitment to The Whitaker Center continues the Kunkel’s many years of service and dedication to Harrisburg and the surrounding communities.

"The Kunkel Foundation has a reputation for being very selective in choosing where it will allocate major funds," said McInnes. "Because the Trustees make such careful choices, their initial commitment of financial support sent an important message to the community about the potential value of The Whitaker Center to our region. It helped pave the way for other corporate sponsors, philanthropists, and individuals to follow. The Foundation’s additional financial support further underscores their ongoing belief in this endeavor. We are most grateful for it."

Thomas R. Stone, President and CEO of The Whitaker Center, said that while the Kunkel Foundation contributions put The Center closer to its $51 million goal, The Center is still actively engaged in fundraising at all levels. "Large contributions such as the Kunkel Foundation commitment play a critical role in getting projects like this started. But it is often up to the smaller contributors to push a project over the top and reach its ultimate goals. We are continuously seeking the support of many people in narrowing that gap. We are making progress, but our job is not finished."

This spring, residents will get a sampling of some of the offerings promised by The Whitaker Center. The Greater Harrisburg Arts Council is sponsoring efforts to present a series of performances and presentations at the 30th Annual Greater Harrisburg Artfest during the Memorial Day holiday. The variety of offerings is intended to reflect the wide array of activities planned for The Center. Appropriately, the location for the event will be the Kunkel Plaza. "We see the event as an opportunity to honor the Kunkel name, as well as to educate Artfest attendees regarding all The Whitaker Center will offer," said Stone.

When completed, The Center will house a 600-seat performing arts theater, a giant screen 3-Dimensional IMAX theater and a large interactive science center, as well as provide multi-functional public areas. It will be the first center in the nation to combine science education and the arts into a single, synergistic community facility.

Groundbreaking for The Center is expected to take place this summer, with completion targeted for mid-1999.