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| Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission |
| Formed | June 6, 1945 |
| Jurisdiction | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| Headquarters | Harrisburg |
| Chief1 name | Andrea Lowery |
| Chief1 position | Executive Director |
| Parent agency | Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development |
| Website | www.phmc.pa.gov |
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Created in 1945, it is responsible for the stewardship of the state's historic treasures and the interpretation of its rich heritage. The agency operates a vast network of historic sites, museums, and archival collections while administering key preservation and grant programs.
The commission was formally established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly on June 6, 1945, consolidating several pre-existing historical agencies. Its creation was championed by Governor Edward Martin and built upon the earlier work of the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, founded in 1913. A major early focus was the preservation of significant sites related to the American Revolution and the Civil War across the state. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the commission's mandate expanded to include industrial history, African American history, and broader social history. Key milestones included the development of the State Museum of Pennsylvania in the 1960s and the formalization of the National Register of Historic Places program in Pennsylvania following the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
The agency is governed by an appointed commission consisting of nine private citizens and four ex-officio members, including the Secretary of Education and the Attorney General. Day-to-day operations are led by an Executive Director, currently Andrea Lowery, and a professional staff of historians, archaeologists, archivists, and museum professionals. The commission is administratively placed within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Its work is divided into several bureaus, including the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums, the Bureau of Archives and History, and the Bureau for Historic Preservation. This structure allows for specialized management of its diverse collections, properties, and regulatory functions under the Pennsylvania History Code.
The commission directly administers and interprets dozens of historic sites and museums across the state. This extensive portfolio includes iconic landmarks like Independence Hall (in partnership with the National Park Service), the Pennsylvania State Capitol, and Gettysburg Battlefield sites such as the Daniel Lady Farm. Other significant properties span the breadth of Pennsylvania history, from early settlement at Pennsbury Manor (the reconstructed estate of William Penn) to industrial sites like the Drake Well Museum in Titusville, which commemorates the birth of the petroleum industry. The flagship State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg offers comprehensive exhibits on the state's archaeology, art, and culture.
The commission administers several critical statewide programs. Its Bureau for Historic Preservation runs the National Register of Historic Places program for Pennsylvania and oversees compliance with both the National Historic Preservation Act and the state's History Code. It also manages the Pennsylvania Historical Marker program, which erects iconic blue and gold signs to commemorate people, places, and events of statewide significance. The agency offers grant funding through programs like the Cultural and Historical Support Grant and the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant. Additional initiatives include the Pennsylvania State Archives, which preserves government records and private manuscripts, and the Pennsylvania Archaeology program, which includes the curation of the State Museum's extensive collections.
The commission produces a wide array of scholarly and public-facing publications. These include the quarterly journal Pennsylvania Heritage, which features articles on state history and culture, and the scholarly annual Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies, published in partnership with the Pennsylvania Historical Association. The agency's website provides access to online resources like the Pennsylvania Historical Marker database and research guides for the Pennsylvania State Archives. It also publishes guidebooks, site-specific histories, and educational materials for teachers, supporting the study of Pennsylvania history in schools across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Category:Historical societies in Pennsylvania Category:State agencies of Pennsylvania Category:Museums in Pennsylvania Category:1945 establishments in Pennsylvania