Author: Shelby Weaver Splain (Page 10 of 20)

Shelby Weaver Splain is the Education and Special Initiatives Coordinator for the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office. Shelby is a native of Bucks County and holds a Masters degree in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Historic Preservation from Goucher College.

Resource Round-up: PHMC’s Resources for Native American History in Pennsylvania

November 25, 2020 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 3 Comments

Since 1990, November has been recognized across the United States as Native American Heritage Month.

In Pennsylvania, the story of the Native American peoples who lived in what is now the commonwealth is largely told through archaeology and the sites and artifacts that are uncovered across the landscape.

This story, which is still unfolding, is complex, rich, and varied and I can’t begin to do it justice in just one blog post. What I can do, however, is provide you with a snapshot of what archaeology tells us about Native American history in Pennsylvania and hopefully inspire you to learn more.

Expressions of Interest wanted for Mather Mill and Peace Church

November 18, 2020 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

Interested in owning a piece of Pennsylvania’s history? Looking for a unique opportunity to rehabilitate a local landmark? Does your organization want a new home in a historic building?

PHMC is looking for new owners for Historic Mather Mill in Montgomery County and Peace Church in Cumberland County. Interested parties can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for one or both of these historic properties by January 25, 2021.

Telling a Fuller Story about African American History in Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed

October 14, 2020 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

Earlier this month, the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) announced a new pilot project with PHMC, PA DCNR, the states of Maryland and Virginia, and National Park Service Chesapeake Bay to identify, document, and map sites and landscapes in the Chesapeake Bay watershed region significant to African American history and culture.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Access Policy

PA SHPO’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access

August 28, 2020 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

As part of PHMC’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA), PA SHPO identified ways in which underrepresented stories and places in Pennsylvania can be better identified, documented, and celebrated.

Support Preservation in Pennsylvania by being counted in the 2020 Census

August 19, 2020 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

No doubt about it – there is a lot going on this year. I don’t need to elaborate here about the many ways each and every one of us have had our lives turned around, upside down, or inside out over the last six months. Even the idea of just one more thing to do can topple us over like losing game of Jenga.

But this one more thing matters. A lot. It’s making sure to complete your 2020 census form – and encouraging your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same.

Why? Pennsylvania’s share of federal historic preservation funding is based, in part, on how many people live in the Commonwealth. If that population count is low because all Pennsylvanians aren’t counted, then there is less federal money for the commonwealth to preserve the older and historic places that matter to you and your community.

June 14, 1958 aerial showing farm, fields, and roads.

No More Penn Pilot for Historical Aerial Photos!

July 29, 2020 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 12 Comments

PA SHPO recently learned that the Penn Pilot website for historical aerial photographs will be taken offline in the near future. Two new online websites offer free access to these photographs, so update your bookmarks!

FYI: PA SHPO’s Updated Project Review Form!

July 6, 2020 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

The PA SHPO has recently updated its project review form. Please updated any downloaded or bookmarked forms.

You can find the new form on PHMC’s website here: https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/About/Documents/SHPO%20Project%20Review%20Form_Digital%20Submission.pdf

Updates include:

The PA SHPO address was removed as we are longer accepting paper submissions
Additional guidance on the requirement to submit the Project Review Form as a fillable pdf was added.
The Attachments section was updated to reflect the requirement to submit an Abbreviated HRSF for those buildings directly affected by a project. The Abbreviated HRSF and accompanying instructions are available on the PHMC website at: https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/About/Documents/HRSF_Abbreviated_Fillable_Form.pdf and https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/About/Documents/HRSF-Abbreviated-Form-Guidance.pdf.

Reminders!

All initial project submissions must be submitted via email to the PA SHPO’s Project Review resource account. Please continue to follow the process for emailing submissions outlined here:
https://pahistoricpreservation.com/shpo-environmental-review-continuity-operations/.
Initial project submissions must include two separate PDFs: one for the Project Review Form and one for the attachments.
Applicants should only contact reviewers directly for existing projects after consultation has been initiated and a PA SHPO Environmental Review number assigned.

PA SHPO will return Project Review Forms that are submitted incorrectly or incomplete.

Please note:

This form and the email submission process will remain in place until PA-SHARE comes online early next year.

#FavoritePAPlaces: PA SHPO’s Andrea MacDonald

June 24, 2020 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

Pennsylvania’s communities are filled with special and meaningful historic places and spaces that add value to our lives and offer comfort and stability during these challenging times. Now more than ever, it is important to stay connected to our communities.