Pennsylvania Historic Preservation

Small one-story stone house with wood porch and surrounded by lawns and gardens.

Determinations of Eligibility shouldn’t be Scary!

October 30, 2024 / Marissa Barrett / 0 Comments

Frequently, PA SHPO staff receive inquiries regarding a homeowner’s historic property and their wish to list it in the National Register of Historic Places.

Many times, interesting family stories passed down from one generation to the next are tied to the property. As fascinating as most of the stories are, not all will hit the threshold of the National Park Service required criteria to qualify the property as significant at the local, state or national level.

However, before the level of review needed to make that call, there are numerous documents and items that PA SHPO staff need to verify the eligibility of a resource. Unfortunately, since there is a degree of deeper research required and the process may seem daunting, many homeowners stop after the first phone call or email.

Hopefully, this post about the Determination of Eligibility process and next week’s post about what we need to evaluate a historic resource will help make it all seem a little less scary.

One-story brick building with steep tile roof and large square roof.

Historic Tax Credits @ Work: Connellsville’s Union Passenger Station

October 23, 2024 / smassey / 1 Comment

This latest installment of “Historic Tax Credits @ Work” features a successful project to transform an underutilized train station into a community asset.

Geoarchaeology 101: How deep do archaeologists dig?

October 16, 2024 / Justin McKeel / 0 Comments

October is Archaeology Month, so today let’s talk about a key part of identifying archaeological sites: geoarchaeology and geomorphology.

Preserving the Mt. Carbon Bowstring Truss Bridge

October 9, 2024 / Guest Contributor / 2 Comments

At the end of July, PennDOT celebrated the relocation of a historic bowstring truss bridge in Schuylkill County onto Schuylkill River Greenways’ trail system with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Two people kneeling in large square hole in a wooded area.

Pennsylvania Archaeology Month is Here

October 2, 2024 / Casey Hanson / 0 Comments

October is Pennsylvania Archaeology Month! Every October, events and programs are held across Pennsylvania to celebrate the commonwealth’s deep past.

Group of people standing in a cemetery in the evening. — The Community Initiative Award presentation to Lower Makefield Township for their work at Slate Hill Cemetery in Yardley, Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1) is at the far left, members of the Lower Makefield Township Historical Commission grouped in the center, State Representative Perry Warren is second from right and township supervisor Suzanne Blundi at right.

Celebrating Preservation Success Stories with Community Initiative Awards

September 25, 2024 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

Earlier this week my Alexa reminded me that there are 100 days until the end of the year. After a moment of shock, my brain started its mental cataloguing of all the things that I have to do before December 31. Deadlines, appointments, holidays, the list goes on…

One reminder I’d like to put on your to-do list before the year is out is to tell us about a preservation success story in your community. Each year PA SHPO selects a few of these stories for a Community Initiative Award.

Map of the Mid-Atlantic United States with red lines drawn across states.

Resource Round Up: Resources for Studying the Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania

September 18, 2024 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

September is International Underground Railroad Month. This week’s post is another in our “Resource Round-Up” series, which we occasionally publish during important months as a guide to learning more about the older and historic places and spaces in Pennsylvania that reflect that month’s theme. This one highlights just some sources related to the Underground Railroad (UGRR) in Pennsylvania.

PA SHPO is Hiring a National Register Reviewer!

September 11, 2024 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

Are you a highly skilled historic preservationist with National Register knowledge and experience? The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) is seeking a Historic Preservation Specialist to work as a National Register reviewer. This position is focused on assisting the public with determinations of eligibility and National Register nominations. Bring your dedication and experience to our department and take pride in safeguarding Pennsylvania’s cherished history with our team!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity! PA SHPO can now work from home except for days when you’ll be out visiting Pennsylvania’s historic places and one day a month in the office with your colleagues in Harrisburg.

Apply today through 10/1/2024 to become an essential part of our team where you will play a vital role in our mission to discover, protect, and share Pennsylvania’s past, inspiring others to value and use our history in meaningful ways.