Category: Somerset (Page 2 of 2)

Group of people standing in clearing next to tall stone marker — Fort Dewart, listed in the National Register in January 2021, is just one example of the interesting nominations considered by the Board.

Defending Fort Dewart, a Legacy of Stewardship

March 18, 2020 / Casey Hanson / 12 Comments

When Ron Sehn and Terry Doran bought their properties in Folmont, they never imagined that they were also signing up to be the defenders of the eighteenth-century Fort Dewart.

YOUR Archaeological Site Survey: a Shout-Out to 2019 PASS Contributors

February 26, 2020 / Hannah Harvey / 1 Comment

The PHMC has been a steward of archaeological site information in Pennsylvania since the late 1920s.

Two photographs of two wood CCC buildings. — Views of the CCC mess hall/dining hall during the project. Photos by Barbara Frederick, 2019.

Laurel Hill State Park and HistoriCorps: Partnership for Preservation

July 10, 2019 / Elizabeth Shultz / 0 Comments

In preservation, it is often observed that one of the most promising tactics for the achievement of a “preservation win” is the engagement of as diverse a collection of partners as possible to participate in the project at hand.

Historic photo of men working outside building. — CCC Camp PA S.P. 8 in the 1930’s.

Preserving Laurel Hill CCC Camps – Part 2

May 22, 2019 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

This post is the second of two highlighting the work of two recent interns to preserve WPA-era Civilian Conservation Corps camps at Laurel Hill State Park. You can read Part 1 and the history of the park in this post.

CCC History @ Pennsylvania’s Laurel Hill State Park

May 15, 2019 / Guest Contributor / 5 Comments

This post is the first in a two-part series written by former interns highlighting the CCC history and historic resources at Laurel Hill State Park and the work the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and the PA SHPO are doing to preserve and celebrate them as part of the Laurel Hill landscape.

This image shows a yellow metal truss bridge with a blue and gold PA historical marker in front. The recently refurbished Bald Eagle's Nest marker is back in place in Centre County. — The recently refurbished Bald Eagle's Nest marker is back in place in Centre County.

Marker Maintenance isn’t a Mystery!

November 8, 2017 / Karen Galle / 12 Comments

Do you know what happens when a PHMC marker is damaged by a delivery truck, plowed over after a snowstorm or original 1946 blue and gold paint resembles the make-up of a faded movie star? Do you think PHMC throws out the markers and orders a new one? Continue reading

Workers with tunnel lining. Image from Borough of Catasauqua website: http://www.catasauqua.org/things-to-do/walking-tours-industrial/davies-thomas-co

New Historical Markers Approved

March 23, 2016 / Karen Galle / 0 Comments

Great news for fans of Pennsylvania’s beloved blue and gold markers – there are going to be more of them soon! At the March 9th meeting, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recently approved 23 new historical markers. Many of the marker applications and approvals were from Philadelphia County this year so we’re anxious to get some great nominations next year for subjects of statewide and/or national significance in Pennsylvania’s other 66 counties! The Marker Program encourages broad distribution, so individuals and organizations from across the commonwealth are encouraged to research their history and develop nominations for people, places, events, and innovations in their own area. We know there is more history out there to share!

Kiefel Bridge, taken by Nathaniel Holth. Courtesy of historicbridges.com. 2013. Used by permission of Nathaniel Holth.

Intern Introspect: 10 Historic Bridges in Pennsylvania to Paddle Under Before the Temperature Plummets

August 12, 2015 / Guest Contributor / 0 Comments

by Elizabeth Shultz

Nestled between the peak heat of July and the crispness of October’s flaming foliage is that special span of outdoor living in Pennsylvania that is the perfect time to hoist your kayaks and canoes onto your shoulders, strap your sturdiest water shoes to your feet, and set out to feast your eyes on some of the architectural and engineering gems that crisscross Pennsylvania’s diverse bodies of water. In the true Commonwealth spirit of discovery, before our rivers turn to frozen slush and our streams start to crunch, let your paddles guide you under some of Pennsylvania’s treasured pieces of transportation history – starting with those listed below! Continue reading