Historic Streetscape Rendering Project

Historic Streetscape Rendering Project: BHCA’s Visual Chronicle of Bellefonte’s Past

The Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association (BHCA) is developing a long-term project to create artistic renderings of downtown Bellefonte streetscapes as they appeared in key historical periods—specifically around 1850, 1880, and 1910. These renderings will depict one side of a selected downtown block, offering a visual snapshot of the town’s architectural evolution over time.

To guide the work, BHCA will draw on existing buildings, Sanborn fire insurance maps, and archival photographs of now-lost structures. Supplementary sources such as historical research, newspaper accounts of fires and developments, and informed interpretation will help fill in the gaps. Together, these elements will allow BHCA to “paint” an accurate and compelling picture of Bellefonte’s past.

This is an interdisciplinary project that calls for expertise in 18th- and 19th-century American architecture, historical research, project coordination, and visual rendering. Once initiated, the Historic Renderings Project is expected to evolve into an ongoing effort that celebrates Bellefonte’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.