Pennsylvania Historic Preservation

Blog of the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office

Stone building with slides sloped to top in a wooded and grassy area.

June 15, 2022
by Guest Contributor
1 Comment

Exploring African American Heritage in Pennsylvania’s DCNR Parks and Forests

Pennsylvania is rife in human history – if you’re in Pennsylvania, consider yourself surrounded with nearly 20,000 years of it! So, it should come as no great surprise that its 121-state park and over 2 million-acre forest system, administered by … Continue reading

October 27, 2021
by Guest Contributor
4 Comments

Precious Metal Preservation: the Lift

Nestled amongst the oak-covered hills of rural northwest Pennsylvania until very recently sat an iron artifact from a bygone era. Built in 1876 by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio, this elegant, metal arch structure is what is … Continue reading

March 31, 2021
by Karen Galle
2 Comments

Approved Markers for 2021

Soon fans of Pennsylvania’s historical markers will be braking for 23 new ones. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) recently approved the next batch of new historical markers at their March 2021 meeting.

February 12, 2020
by Shelby Weaver Splain
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Resource Round-up: PHMC’s Resources for Studying Pennsylvania’s African American History

In honor of national African American history month, I thought I would give our readers a glimpse into a few of the resources PHMC has to help study African American historic places in Pennsylvania.

Houses along street

June 12, 2019
by Karen Arnold
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Titusville, Drafting Community-Focused Design Guidelines to Promote Preservation

Design guidelines have long been considered the “level” in the preservation toolbox. 

Carved pumpkins

October 31, 2018
by Guest Contributor
0 comments

Hobgoblins in the Humanities

Can I tell you about something that gives me chills and sends me running? October is Arts & Humanities Month. It’s also time for Halloween, so when I was invited to submit a post, our friends at SHPO asked if … Continue reading

October 25, 2017
by Guest Contributor
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How Humanities-Based Community Development Can Foster a More Democratic Future

What role can the humanities play in community development– and how can they foster a more democratic future for small towns and cities across America?

April 20, 2016
by Guest Contributor
3 Comments

Preserving Titusville: The Birthplace of The Oil Industry Finds A Path Towards Saving Its Historic Architecture

by Abigail Watson-Popescu  As a child growing up in Titusville the first thing you are taught about your hometown is that Edwin Drake struck oil here on August 27, 1859. The thing you notice, though, is that your town feels … Continue reading

January 20, 2016
by Guest Contributor
1 Comment

Heart + Soul + Humanities: Stronger Civic Engagement in PA!

by Mimi Ijima, Pennsylvania Humanities Council In 2015, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council launched a partnership with the Orton Family Foundation to help Pennsylvania communities engage in meaningful civic and engagement and community planning using the Foundation’s successful Community Heart & … Continue reading

August 28, 2013
by Guest Contributor
15 Comments

Resolving to Endorse: Getting Municipalities On-Board With Historic Preservation

The Bureau for Historic Preservation (BHP) unveiled Pennsylvania’s Statewide Historic Preservation Plan last year.  In an effort to assist County Planning Directors and Certified Local Governments to become familiar with the Plan, BHP recently sent a request for our local … Continue reading