Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center
Corporate brand
UnclaimedHarrisburg Midtown Arts Center, commonly known as H·MAC or the House of Music, Arts & Culture, was a multidisciplinary music, arts, nightlife, and events venue in Midtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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History
The building associated with Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center predates the venue by more than a century. It was constructed around 1865 as a private residence for Albert and Kate Hummel and their four daughters. Harry E. Hershey purchased the property in 1893, and the Hershey family occupied it until 1925. The Fraternal Order of Orioles then acquired the site and added a substantial rear extension containing an auditorium and dining room. In 1931, the property became a Jewish Community Center. From 1960 through 1984, it was associated with the Police Athletic League. These successive civic and community uses established the building as a neighborhood institution before its conversion into a modern entertainment complex. Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center and Stage On Herr opened in 2009. Stage On Herr was developed within the former Hebrew gym and functioned as a 350-capacity room for concerts, comedy, and arts programming. Its approximately 34,000 square feet also included a full bar. The venue's programming gave Harrisburg a flexible space for music and other live events while retaining the building's community-oriented character. A broader opening took place in June 2015, incorporating The Capitol Room and the Kitchen & Gallery Bar. The Capitol Room was an art-deco-style ballroom on the second floor with a stage, bar, mezzanine, and capacity of about 1,200 people. The complex also retained an unused basement swimming pool, a reminder of the site's earlier athletic and community uses. The organization encountered serious difficulties in 2018. The bar filed for bankruptcy in August of that year. During the same period, a patron's allegation that she had been drugged and sexually assaulted at the venue led to intense public discussion and additional allegations directed toward H·MAC and founder John Traynor. Harrisburg Police disputed or denied many aspects of the allegations. Following the controversy and loss of business, a court later awarded Traynor $4.7 million in a defamation action. The venue exited bankruptcy in May 2019 and adopted the House of Music, Arts & Culture name. H·MAC remained the more familiar public shorthand, and the operation continued under HMAC Venue LLC, with Traynor later described as a consultant. In February 2026, reporting stated that the venue would close after allegedly failing to pay entertainment taxes. The reference material does not provide enough information to determine whether the closure was permanent or to document any subsequent reopening.
- 2026
Reported closure over entertainment taxes
[1]A February report stated that H·MAC would close following alleged nonpayment of entertainment taxes.
- 2021
Defamation judgment involving founder
[1]A Dauphin County judge awarded John Traynor $4.7 million in a defamation case.
- 2019
Reorganization and rebranding
[1]The operation exited bankruptcy and adopted the House of Music, Arts & Culture identity.
- 2018
Bankruptcy and public controversy
[1]The bar filed for bankruptcy, while allegations involving a patron and the venue generated widespread controversy.
- 2015
The Capitol Room and Kitchen & Gallery Bar were added
[1]The full complex opened with expanded ballroom, bar, gallery, dining, and event facilities.
- 2009
Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center opened
[1]H·MAC and its Stage On Herr performance space began operations.
- 1960
Police Athletic League use began
[1]The building was used by the Police Athletic League from 1960 to 1984.
- 1931
Building became a Jewish Community Center
[1]The property entered a new phase as a Jewish Community Center.
- 1925
Fraternal Order of Orioles acquired the building
[1]The Orioles purchased the property and added a rear auditorium and dining-room extension.
- 1893
Harry E. Hershey acquired the property
[1]Harry E. Hershey purchased the residence, which remained with the Hershey family until 1925.
Products and positioning
A locally focused, multi-room cultural and entertainment venue combining concerts, comedy, arts programming, nightlife, food and beverage service, and private events in a repurposed historic Harrisburg building.
Live music and performing-arts venue · 2009
Stage On Herr
Stage On Herr is a performance room located inside the former Hebrew gym portion of the building. Opened in 2009, it was designed for concerts, comedy, and other arts events. The room covers approximately 34,000 square feet, has capacity for about 350 people, and includes a full bar.
Ballroom and event venue · 2015
The Capitol Room
The Capitol Room is an art-deco-style ballroom on the building's second floor. It includes a stage, bar, and mezzanine overlooking Third Street, and was designed for larger concerts, receptions, private events, and cultural programming. Its stated capacity is approximately 1,200 people.
Bar, food service, and arts space · 2015
Kitchen & Gallery Bar
The Kitchen & Gallery Bar formed part of the venue's expanded offering after the 2015 opening of the full building. It combined food and beverage service with gallery-oriented cultural activity, supporting H·MAC's broader positioning as a social and multidisciplinary arts destination.
Controversies
2018
Sexual-assault allegations and social-media controversy
A patron alleged that she had been drugged and sexually assaulted at the bar in July 2018. The allegation produced a substantial social-media response and further claims involving H·MAC and founder John Traynor. Harrisburg Police disputed or denied many of the claims.
Brand decisions
2026
Reported closure over unpaid entertainment taxesOtherBackground
A February 2026 report attributed the proposed closure to nonpayment of entertainment taxes.
Action taken
The available reference states that H·MAC would close, but does not document the final disposition of the venue.
Aftermath
The brand's current operating status remains uncertain.
2019
Rebrand following bankruptcyStrategyBackground
The bar filed for bankruptcy in August 2018 amid business losses and controversy.
Action taken
After emerging from bankruptcy in May 2019, the operation adopted the House of Music, Arts & Culture name while retaining the H·MAC identity in common usage.
Aftermath
The reorganized operation continued under HMAC Venue LLC, with John Traynor later working as a consultant.
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