In 1993, a small group of dedicated leaders began to meet. Soon, initial funding in the form of generous grants from the City of Harrisburg and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania were obtained.

Other forward-thinking individuals, foundations and corporations began to provide gifts to the Leadership Gifts Campaign under the honorary chairmanship of Alex Grass.

In September, 1997, ground was broken on the corner of Third and Market Streets in the heart of downtown Harrisburg and Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, a $52.7 million public-private partnership, was born.

The Whitaker Foundation and the Helen F. Whitaker Fund have contributed over $8 million to the Leadership Gifts Campaign. Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is named in memory of the founder of AMP Incorporated, Uncas A. Whitaker and his wife Helen F. Whitaker, in recognition of these grants.

Under the able leadership of Harold A. McInnes, Chairman of the Board for the last six years, the Capital Campaign for Whitaker Center is close to its $52.7 million goal. Thanks to the support of many visionaries throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City of Harrisburg and Dauphin County as well as over 300 corporations, foundations and individuals, have invested in Whitaker Center, a cultural center which directly impacts the area in which they live, work or serve.

The National Science Foundation awarded Whitaker Center a major grant in support of a permanent exhibit for the new Science Center. "Bodies In Motion: The Physics of Dance" will explore the physics of human movement, especially dance, gymnastics and ice-skating. This is one of the flagship exhibits for the Science Center whose overarching theme is science through the arts. The National Science Foundation awards grants based on a rigorous peer-review process. The reviewers cited Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts as an interesting and unusual project, a bridge between the performing arts and the sciences with the potential to reach diverse audiences. Support from the National Science Foundation prior to an institution's opening is extremely rare. We believe this to be the first National Science Foundation grant awarded to a museum or science center in Central Pennsylvania.

Much work, many people, hundreds of businesses, thousands of hours of planning and millions of dollars of funding give strength to the dream. On September 9, 1999, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts opened its doors for the first time, welcoming its visitors to a unique experience in education and entertainment.

Mayor Stephen R. Reed, an integral part of this project from day one, has proudly referred to Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts as "Harrisburg's Crown Jewel".

The official registration and financial information of the Capital Center for the Arts, Science and Education, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.