September 22, 2025/Midnight
Erie, PA.— It doesn’t get much “sweeter” than this! On Monday, September 22, the Olds-Sweet-Norman House was moved from W. Seventh St. to W. Sixth St. utilizing AI technology. This move brought in people from surrounding areas and was a common gathering place for the Gannon community throughout the day.
This week’s Roundtable asks spectators their thoughts on the movement of the Olds-Sweet-Norman House.
Anna Skinner, a senior Theatre Communications major, had a birds-eye view of the house’s move as she watched it from the roof of the Schuster Theatre, which sits adjacent to the pit the house was moved through.
“I thought the moving of the house was neat,” said Skinner. “It’s a great addition to Gannon’s campus image, and the history behind it is a really important piece of Erie.” She was entertained by the fact that the construction workers weren’t phased by the crowds of people rotating through to watch the move. “It was truly one of a kind thing to witness.”
Heidi Brieger Noyes, the Director of Commuter Life, had similar thoughts on the spectacle. “Witnessing the Olds-Norman house move is something I’ll never forget,” said Brieger Noyes. “I started the day on Seventh Street, watched it on Facebook Live for a while, then went back to see it finish the 180 turn which was fascinating.” Brieger Noyes agreed that the large crowds who gathered to watch this event were incredible. Especially how our community partners and neighboring organizations walked over to support this initiative. She also expressed her appreciation for Tom Hagen and his team for making the restoration of this house, and many other historic properties, possible.
Tom Hagen attended this event, as did Ronald Norman, who was the final person to live in this house.
It is an exciting time on Gannon’s campus with all these additions and events happening. As the fall semester carries on and the Centennial year ends, Gannon continues to make way with providing endless opportunities for students and the Erie community.
