The Chamber is pleased to report that the Russell House second floor office rentals are now occupied, providing space and resources for start-up businesses and non-profit organizations, including shared workspace as accelerator opportunities.  The building also houses the Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation, as well as conference rooms heavily used by community, service, and charitable entities.

Some of the improvements made to the building since being acquired by the Chamber in 2018 include:

  • Updated HVAC/Climate Control including 1st and second floor heating/cooling units, and oil-t0-gas boiler conversion
  • Updated electric (LED), technology, and data (IT) throughout the building (incl. 8 offices)
  • New metal roof, eaves and chimneys, following historic requirements (both local and state)
  • Front Steps Repaired
  • Portable ADA Ramp purchased 
  • Basement clean-up
  • Restroom & kitchen updates
  • Landscaping (Eagle Scout, FFA, and community projects)
  • Interior painting
  • AED Procurement

Future improvement projects include:

  • Renovation of Side Porch
  • Shutter and trim repair and exterior painting
  • Refinishing of interior floors & updated painting 
  • Renovation of 3rd Floor

The Chamber’s 501-c3 Education Foundation continues to pursue a combination of private and government grants to continue working on the building improvements as we enhance our center for entrepreneurship, business, and education to serve the Bedford County region.

The Russell House represents many of Bedford County’s core values: preserving and celebrating our history while creating innovative opportunities for the future.   

Contributions may be made to the renovation via check here:  Bedford County Chamber Foundation (Note: Russell House Building Fund) – 203 S. Juliana Street – Bedford, PA 15522.   For more information, call: 814-623-2233. 

Russell House History

        James McPherson Russell was a third-generation Irishman.  His father,  James, left Ireland for America before 1750, and his father, Alexander, served the American cause in the Revolutionary War.  James M. was the eldest of eight children.  As a young man, he studied law and was admitted to the Franklin County Bar in 1808. In the same year, he moved to Bedford and became a member of this county’s Bar.  His wife was Rebecca Lyon, who was originally from Cumberland County. Their first home together was on West Pitt Street near the center of town. As their family grew, he wished to have a larger, more modern house.

     The site of the Russell House dates back to Lot 11 in the original plan of Bedford borough, drawn up by John Lukens, Surveyor General of the Province of Pennsylvania in 1766, who created the survey for the heirs of William Penn.  At that time, only about 20 houses were to be found here.

     According to the historical marker, Solomon Filler designed and built the house which the Russell Family moved into in 1816.  Filler was a local architect who designed and built many of Bedford’s prominent buildings, including the Anderson House (1815), Courthouse (1828), Lyon House (1833) and central hotel building at the Bedford Springs Resort (1824-42.)

     In the early 1800’s, a man of ability who possessed some knowledge of the law had unlimited opportunities in small towns like Bedford.  Such was the case for James Russell, whose talents were well suited to his times. Not only did he become a successful attorney, he was also elected the first Chief Burgess of Bedford; he was a trustee of the Bedford Academy; he was the treasurer of the Chambersburg-to-Bedford Turnpike Company at the time of its construction; he was also for a time manager of the Bedford Springs Hotel.  In 1837, when the Commonwealth’s Constitution was revised, he had a part in that work. Between 1842 and 1844, Russell was the local representative to the US Congress.

    James’ youngest son, Samuel Lyons Russell, chose to reside in Bedford and follow in his father’s footsteps as an attorney, borough and state official and US Congressman.

    After serving as home to three generations of the Russell Family, the house went through many incarnations, including use as a hotel called the “Colonial House,” offices and a boarding house. 

    In 1920, a new owner, Fred C. Pate and later his son, Edward Pate used the building for their cabinet and furniture business as well as a funeral home.

    In 1972, the building was purchased by the County of Bedford, providing additional office space for county staff.  The county sold the property in 2007 to a local resident who intended to make

    The historic building would sit vacant for more than 10 years until the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce pursued the purchase of the property in 2016.

    The sale was completed in May of 2017, and the Chamber continues to pursue a combination of federal grants to restore the building, create further ADA accessibility, and transform the landmark structure into a center for business and education to serve the entire Bedford County region in addition to serving as offices for the Chamber of Commerce and 501-c3 Chamber Foundation.

     The $1.5 million dollar renovation project will celebrate and preserve this local landmark, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, making it a place for businesses and the regional community to gather, connect, learn and grow.

     By updating the building with state-of-the art technology, the Chamber is also creating business rental opportunities and a shared-space incubator to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses and pursue their dreams, while enhancing the local economy through job creation and student workforce development.

      Opportunities abound to partner with the Chamber on this legacy project for today’s business community and future generations.