Author: Shelby Weaver Splain (Page 3 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.

Group of young adults in background with text "Make the most of your summer!" in the foreground. — 2024-Keystone-Internship

Apply Now! PA SHPO’s Summer 2023 Internships

January 10, 2024 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

Are you exploring the field of historic preservation and looking for some real-world experience? The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Keystone Internship Program provides opportunities to pursue your professional growth and contribute to sharing Pennsylvania’s rich heritage with the public.

We’d like to invite college and graduate school students interested in historic preservation, archaeology, community planning, cultural resources, architectural history, public history, and other related fields to apply for their summer 2024 interning experience.

Text "2023 Year in Review" over a collage of six photos of buildings and people.

ICYMI: PA SHPO’s Blog in 2023

December 27, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

It’s been a minute since I did a “year in review” post for the blog, so I thought I’d treat our readers to PA SHPO’s version of the ubiquitous end-of-year list.

In the spirit ICYMI, here is a list of the best posts from 2023 that you want to be sure to read. If I had to sum up the blog’s year in one phrase, I think it’s “a year of education, entertainment, and everything in between.”

Preserving the Henry Ossawa Tanner House

November 29, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

Earlier this year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation included the Henry Ossawa Tanner House in North Philadelphia on their 11 Most Endangered List. With the help of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, I was able to connect with Chris Rogers of the Friends of the Tanner House to talk about what is happening at this National Historic Landmark.

Read on if you’re looking for some good news…

Line drawing showing a collection of shelters surrounded by a fence. — Drawing of "The Indian Fort Sasquesahanok" in Pennsylvania from Herman Moll's 1720 map of North America.

Highlights of Pennsylvania Archaeology

November 22, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

November is Native American Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. One of the ways to learn about Native American heritage in Pennsylvania is through archaeology.

Color drawing of a large stone building with American flag. — Historic postcard of the American Legion Building in Tarentum, Allegheny County. From the PA State Archives.

Documenting Veterans Organizations with Baseline Survey

November 8, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 2 Comments

We’ve written quite a bit about PA SHPO’s Baseline Survey initiative over the last three years. We’ll be sharing even more in 2024 when we publish our Year 3 results but – spoiler alert! – I can say that we will have added over 16,000 NEW resources in 55 counties to PA-SHARE by the time this initial effort is completed.

What PA Places are on your list?

October 25, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 2 Comments

Any Pennsylvanian at heart has a list of places in the Keystone State that captures the essence of who we are.

PA SHPO is Hiring an Above Ground Environmental Reviewer!

October 4, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

Are you interested in joining a proactive and dedicated team of historic preservationists, historians, archaeologists, and planners? The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) is seeking a Historic Preservation Specialist with a discipline in architectural history or history within the Environmental Review Division.

We need your help! Be a part of Planning for Preservation in Pennsylvania

September 27, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

Exciting news! It is time to update Pennsylvania’s statewide historic preservation plan.

What better way to kick off that effort than with a new survey?!

Three portraits in a row above the words "Welcome to the PA State Historic Preservation Office!"

Meet PA SHPO’s Newest Staff

September 20, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

I’m happy to introduce you to our newest PA SHPO staffers! We are very excited to have Kristen Walczesky join us as an Environmental Review archaeologist in late 2022 and Marissa Barret as a National Register reviewer and John Wood as the Preservation Incentives manager this year.