Pennsylvania Historic Preservation

Blog of the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office

Colorized historic postcard showing wood church building.

April 7, 2021
by Karen Arnold
3 Comments

Preserving Pennsylvania’s Stick Style Architecture: Old Lutheran Church in Franklin

The mid-nineteenth century oil boom is synonymous with northern Venango County, which brought population and construction growth to the city of Franklin.

February 3, 2021
by Scott Doyle
0 comments

105th PA Farm Show Scavenger Hunt – Virtual Edition!

In light of the current public health crisis and keeping safety a priority, the Department of Agriculture hosted the 105th PA Farm Show virtually to celebrate Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry.

June 12, 2020
by Shelby Weaver Splain
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#FavoritePAPlaces: Oil City Main Street’s Kathy Bailey

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. … Continue reading

This photograph shows two late 19th century buildings along a street in Bradford, PA.

April 22, 2020
by Bill Callahan
1 Comment

Supporting Pennsylvania’s Main Streets

As one of PA SHPO’s Community Preservation Coordinators, one of the more heartening things I’ve observed (and participated in) the past few weeks has been the response of many Main Street communities and their partners to the COVID 19 crisis.

Woman making basket

November 14, 2018
by Guest Contributor
15 Comments

The Cornplanter Grant: The Last Native American Settlement in Pennsylvania

Deep in the forests of northwestern Pennsylvania lies a little-known, but incredibly important part of our Country’s early history and our Native American past.  Although now mostly covered by the waters of the Allegheny Reservoir (a body of water created … Continue reading

March 23, 2016
by Karen Galle
0 comments

New Historical Markers Approved

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 … Continue reading

January 21, 2015
by Pamela Reilly
5 Comments

Preservation in a Changing Economic Climate

Many of Pennsylvania’s communities face the challenging task of adapting to a vastly different economic climate than the one that led to their historic growth and development.  This new economic reality of dramatically reduced population, deindustrialization and loss of tax … Continue reading