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Started in 2013, the weekly pahistoricpreservation.com blog is one of the PA SHPO’s most popular education and outreach tools.

With hundreds of posts on a broad range of topics, the pahistoricpreservation.com blog reaches many audiences, consistently sharing new and interesting information about historic preservation in Pennsylvania.

The blog covers subjects related to historic preservation, community revitalization and economic development, historic preservation planning, architectural history, cultural resources management, archaeology, or other topics related to historic preservation in Pennsylvania.  It also allows PA SHPO and its partners to showcase a broad spectrum of interests, programs, and staff expertise through informational articles and communicate relevant programs, projects, and opportunities.

About the PA SHPO

The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) is the official historic preservation agency for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PHMC’s Executive Director serves as our State Historic Preservation Officer and our staff includes preservationists, planners, GIS specialists, public historians, archaeologists and an architect.

A bureau within the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC), PA SHPO administers state historic preservation programs authorized through the Pennsylvania History Code (Title 37 of the Pennsylvania Code), the Pennsylvania Historic District Act (Act 167 of 1961), and manages several Federal programs created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470) (NHPA).

Our work is guided by the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Board and the Commonwealth’s historic preservation plan, #PreservAtionHappensHere, Pennsylvania’s Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, 2018-2023.  The PA SHPO’s annual reports provide additional information about our programs and preservation outcomes.

The SHPO’s core responsibilities include:

 

  • To undertake the duties of Pennsylvania’s State Historic Preservation Office;
  • Consult with state and federal agencies and their applicants in accordance with the Pennsylvania History Code and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR Part 800);
  • Establish and maintain Historic Preservation Review Board;
  • Prepare statewide historic preservation plan every five years;
  • Administer the National Register of Historic Places program;
  • Populate PA-SHARE, Pennsylvania’s State Historic & Archaeological Resource Exchange;
  • Administer the Certified Local Government and Local Historic District Act Programs;
  • Review and assist property owners applying for the State and/or Federal Historic Tax Credits;
  • Administer the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant program;
  • Administer the Historical Marker program;
  • Provide technical assistance and training to the public, local governments, state and federal agencies, historical societies, and other professional organizations throughout the Commonwealth.

To learn more about PA SHPO and its programs, visit our website.