Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
File:PHMC logo.png Logo of the PHMC | |
Agency overview | |
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Formed | June 6, 1945 |
Preceding agency |
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Jurisdiction | State government of Pennsylvania |
Headquarters | State Museum Building, 300 North Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 40°15′57″N 76°53′6.5″W / 40.26583°N 76.885139°W |
Agency executives |
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Website | www.phmc.state.pa.us |
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is the governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage. The commission cares for historical manuscripts, public records, and objects of historic interest; museums; archeology; publications; historic sites and properties; historic preservation; geographic names; and the promotion of public interest in Pennsylvania history.[1]
PHMC was established June 6, 1945, by state Act No. 446, merging the Pennsylvania Historical Commission (PHC), Pennsylvania State Museum and Pennsylvania State Archives.[2][3]
The commission is an independent administrative board, consisting of nine citizens of the Commonwealth appointed by the Governor; the Secretary of Education ex officio; two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore and Minority Leader; and two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker and Minority Leader. As of March 2019, the chairman is Nancy Moses and the executive director is Andrea Lowery. PHMC Commissioners as of March 2019 are Ophelia M. Chambliss, Andrew E. Dinniman, Senator, William V. Lewis, Robert Matzie, Representative; Fredrick C. Powell, Pedro Rivera (ex officio, Secretary of Education), Robert M. Savakinus, Joseph B. Scarnati III, Senator, David Schuyler, Ph.D., Kenneth C. Turner, Parke Wentling, Representative; Philip D. Zimmermann.
PHMC Mission: The PHMC works in partnership with others to preserve the Commonwealth's natural and cultural heritage as a steward, teacher and advocate for the people of Pennsylvania and the nation.
PHMC Vision: The PHMC enriches people's lives by helping them to understand Pennsylvania's past, to appreciate the present, and to embrace the future.
Historical marker program
The PHMC administers the Historical Marker Program, which when it began in 1914, installed metal plaques onto large rocks and boulders to commemorate individuals, events, and landmarks throughout the state. The program was launched by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, the predecessor to the PHMC. The markers were redesigned in 1945–46 to make them easier to read from a passing car. Large cast aluminum markers were mounted on poles along a street or road, close to where a landmark was located, a person lived or worked, or an event occurred. By 2020, more than 2,000 markers were in place and were being maintained by the PHMC. The PHMC has posted criteria for inclusion for new markers and accepts marker proposals from the public.[4]
Pennsylvania Heritage
PHMC also publishes Pennsylvania Heritage magazine[5] in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation.
List of PHMC administered sites in Pennsylvania
- Brandywine Battlefield
- Cornwall Iron Furnace
- Drake Well Museum
- Eckley Miners' Village
- Ephrata Cloister
- Erie Maritime Museum
- Landis Valley Museum
- Old Economy Village
- Pennsbury Manor
- Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum
- Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
- Pennsylvania Military Museum
- Pennsylvania State Archives
- Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
- Scranton Iron Furnaces
- The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Partnered Properties
- Bushy Run Battlefield
- Conrad Weiser Homestead
- Daniel Boone Homestead
- Fort Pitt Museum
- Graeme Park
- Hope Lodge
- Joseph Priestley House
- Somerset Historical Center
- U.S. Brig Niagara
Placed Property Program
- Curtin Village at Eagle Ironworks Historical Site
- French Azilum
- The Highlands
- Mather Mill
- Old Chester Court House
- Peace Church
Transferred: DCNR
See also
- History of Pennsylvania
- List of Pennsylvania state historical markers
- Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
- List of Pennsylvania state agencies
References
- ^ "Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission". www.phmc.state.pa.us. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
- ^ Beyer, George (1991). Guide to the State Historical Markers of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. p. 3. ISBN 0-89271-040-3.
- ^ Nichols, Roy F. (1967). The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; a History. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. OCLC 297517.
- ^ "PA Historical Marker Program". Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
- ^ "Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation : Events : Heritage Magazine". www.paheritage.org. Retrieved 2020-08-15.