The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) is seeking a Historic Preservation Specialist to serve as a Review Archaeologist to work between disciplines and advance SHPO priorities. This position is ideal for a detail oriented and flexible preservation professional with a knowledge of state historic preservation programs.
Continue readingCategory: Environmental Review (Page 5 of 13)

Pennsylvania’s Reinforced Concrete Thru Girder Bridges
Few people think of history when crossing a bridge. But bridges tell an important story about engineering and technology, especially in Pennsylvania where the early years of iron, steel and concrete came together to produce many early bridges that represent an age of experimentation.
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Introducing the Historic Property Inspection Program
One lesser-known duty of the PA SHPO office is the management of protective preservation covenants on historic properties throughout the commonwealth.
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Reinterpreting the Underground Railroad: The Sherman’s Dale Discharge Former Slaves’ Graves Site
In my short time as an archaeologist working in southeast Pennsylvania, I’ve learned that every basement, crawl space, and root cellar older than 1860 was at one time, a stop on the Underground Railroad (UGRR). This of course is not true, but the mythologies of the UGRR are born out of the fact that the region played an important role in the network as the first free state north of the Mason-Dixon line.
Continue readingA drive along Burnt Mill Road in Lurgan Township in Franklin County winds around scenic county farmland crossing the Conodoguinet Creek where a monument to Pennsylvania’s industrial past, the Burnt Mill Road Bridge, has stood for the past 136 years.
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Uncovering the Susquehannock Village at Lemoyne
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 way we can learn about indigenous peoples is through archaeology. Archaeology can help expand the Native American voice beyond what’s written in history textbooks and grow our respect for the people who came before us.
In an effort to better advise and assist state and federal agencies with their responsibilities under Section 106 and the Pennsylvania History Code, Above Ground Environmental Review is shifting from regional to agency-specific reviews, effective November 1, 2021.
To find the Above Ground reviewer for a particular federal or state agency, please visit https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/About/Documents/Above%20Ground%20Reviewer%20Agency%20Assignments_November%201%202021.pdf.
Archaeology Environmental Review will continue its regional assignments. To find the Archaeology reviewer for a particular region, please visit https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/Environmental-Review/Pages/Contact-Information.aspx.
I can hear the collective groan at that tired old archaeology joke, but I couldn’t resist. We have four new(-ish) archaeologists on the PA SHPO team and I wanted to officially welcome them with a blog post. I am confident that you’ll enjoy working with them at the PA SHPO just as much as I do.
Continue readingAre you ready to put PA-SHARE in your pocket and start documenting Pennsylvania’s historic places and archaeological sites?
The PA SHPO is pleased to introduce its newest set of tools to conduct both above ground and archaeological survey in Pennsylvania – the PA-SHARE Surveyor suite.
Continue readingAre you interested in joining a pro-active and dedicated team of preservationists, historians, and archaeologists?
The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) is seeking a manager to lead the Environmental Review Division and help advance PA SHPO priorities. This position is ideal for a professional with proven relationship-building skills and has broad knowledge of federal historic preservation programs.
This is a PA SHPO leadership position!
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