Blog of the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office
Not everyone appreciates the beauty, simplicity and architectural honesty of mid-century modern architecture. As in every age and style there are good examples, bad examples, and occasionally, a truly exemplary work of architecture. Fortunately for PHMC, The State Museum and Archives building in Harrisburg is an exemplary work of mid-century modern design. Continue reading
The Historical Marker Program is one of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s (PHMC) most popular public programs. Since 1913, well over 2000 markers have been erected throughout the Commonwealth.
by Karen Galle and Cory Kegerise
Hannah Freeman is not a name that you’ll find in most history books, though her story and her legend live on in southern Chester County. Known more popularly as “Indian Hannah”, Freeman is remembered in local lore as the last Lenni Lenape living in Chester County at the time of her death in 1802. She was born c.1730 on the Webb farm in Kennett Township not far from the Delaware border. Today the Webb farm is part of Longwood Gardens and her life and story are commemorated by a large stone monument erected in 1925 and rededicated in May 2014.
The odometer read 19 when we rolled out of the state garage. We had an ambitious three-day schedule planned to northwestern Pennsylvania. The Bureau’s new director, Serena Bellew, had never been to the ‘Erie triangle’ or the northwest corner of the Commonwealth and she was in for a treat… or two, or three – because great local eateries were also on the itinerary. Our mantra for the trip was “positive preservation.” At each stop we planned to meet with some of our partners who have been thoughtfully and purposefully working toward accomplishing various preservation goals.
“Well How Do They Know That?”: Shawnee-Minisink and How We Know What We Know About Prehistoric Peoples at One Archaeological Site. Continue reading
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recently approved 21 new historical markers. Approval Criteria require that marker subjects must have statewide and/or national rather than local or regional historical significance. After the jump is a quick look at this year’s approved markers. Continue reading
Every year at the Pennsylvania Farm Show the Bureau for Historic Preservation has a booth presenting our role in the preservation of the Commonwealth’s agricultural history. We have launched the third annual Marker Scavenger Hunt at the Farm Show. Continue reading
Offbeat Outings is a bi-monthly series that highlights the travels of BHP staff as they experience history first-hand throughout Pennsylvania.
My name is Dave, and I’m an addicted heritage tourist. However, as I’m sure most readers of this blog can confess, I am not alone. In fact, Heritage Tourism brings billions of dollars to Pennsylvania each year, with historic communities and districts creating the largest draw. Continue reading
The summer of 2013 has been filled with interesting marker dedications. In June The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades received a historical marker. This unique institution in Delaware County was founded in 1888 in response to the decline of the apprenticeship system in the late 19th century. Still offering all of its students full scholarships, the institution provides many of its students vocational opportunities they might not otherwise have been able to afford. It served as a model for the Thaddeus Stevens School and Milton Hershey among others, and is credited with establishing the “Williamson Model for Change.” It boasts a beautiful campus rife with original Frank Furness buildings.
My blog post for May 22, 2013 will continue BHP’s recognition of one of America’s under-appreciated events – National Defense Transportation Day – celebrated on Friday May 17, 2013 in conjunction with National Transportation Week. Continue reading
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