UTICA — The Irish Cultural Center’s H.A.R.P. Museum is looking to the public to help build a new “On This Hallowed Ground” exhibit.

The Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley was constructed on the exact spot of the original St. Patrick’s Church, built in 1850 by a burgeoning Irish Catholic population.

The site was specifically chosen by the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ John C. Devereux Division and the Great American Irish Festival when looking to build a Hibernian hall to celebrate and promote the Irish culture.

The H.A.R.P. Museum, located on the center’s second floor, is planning a permanent exhibit to trace the history of the site – considered “hallowed ground” by Utica’s Irish community – and is looking for artifacts, material, documents and photos to help tell that story.

The exhibit, called “On This Hallowed Ground,” will trace the history (and pre-history) of the Irish Cultural Center, relating events of importance throughout its history, including St. Patrick’s construction, its destruction by fire in 1889, its being rebuilt in 1895 and finally the sad period where it was closed as part of a diocesan consolidation effort; ultimately being demolished in 1968.

The exhibit will take the viewer up to and through the establishment of the Great American Irish Festival as the primary funding vehicle for the Irish Cultural Center, wrapping up with artifacts and documents that trace the current Center’s  construction and grand opening.

If you have anything that you feel could help tell the story of the history of this site – maybe a first Communion dress from St. Patrick’s during its glory days, a class photo from St. Patrick’s School or documentation regarding the church and its priests – museum officials would love to make them a part of the displays.

Anyone with artifacts such as those described (or others you think might be relevant and interesting) is encouraged to send an email to iccmv.museum@gmail.com with “COLLECTIONS” as its subject.

For questions or for additional information, visit the “Object Donation FAQs” and “Object Donation Policy” at iccmv.org/museum/#collections.