Category: Statewide Historic Preservation Plan (Page 1 of 6)

Introducing… Historic Preservation: The Keystone of Community

January 8, 2025 / Andrea L. MacDonald / 0 Comments

My favorite authors are those who write about travel. I’m attracted to books that not only transport me to another place, but also another time.

Group of people standing in a cemetery in the evening. — The Community Initiative Award presentation to Lower Makefield Township for their work at Slate Hill Cemetery in Yardley, Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1) is at the far left, members of the Lower Makefield Township Historical Commission grouped in the center, State Representative Perry Warren is second from right and township supervisor Suzanne Blundi at right.

Celebrating Preservation Success Stories with Community Initiative Awards

September 25, 2024 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

Earlier this week my Alexa reminded me that there are 100 days until the end of the year. After a moment of shock, my brain started its mental cataloguing of all the things that I have to do before December 31. Deadlines, appointments, holidays, the list goes on…

One reminder I’d like to put on your to-do list before the year is out is to tell us about a preservation success story in your community. Each year PA SHPO selects a few of these stories for a Community Initiative Award.

3-story brick building with rows of many windows.

Celebrating the Fallon Hotel

May 28, 2024 / Elizabeth Shultz / 0 Comments

Prominent landmarks in small towns hold a special type of nostalgic significance for those who have interacted with them.

Celebrating Preservation Month with the 2023 Community Initiative Award Winners

May 1, 2024 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

For the past few years, PA SHPO has kicked off National Historic Preservation Month by announcing the newest Community Initiative Award winners. The four 2023 recipients and their projects showcase a variety of preservation success stories, demonstrating the importance of preserving those places at the heart of Pennsylvania’s communities that embody its past and present stories.

Head and shoulders image of a woman on a bike along with the words "looking forward to 2024" above three green arrows.

24 Things to Look Forward to in 2024

January 4, 2024 / Andrea L. MacDonald / 2 Comments

While I am still enjoying the holiday high (and feeling blissfully stuffed), I am also looking forward to the many initiatives the PA SHPO has in the works for 2024.

Line drawing showing a collection of shelters surrounded by a fence. — Drawing of "The Indian Fort Sasquesahanok" in Pennsylvania from Herman Moll's 1720 map of North America.

Highlights of Pennsylvania Archaeology

November 22, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 1 Comment

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 of the ways to learn about Native American heritage in Pennsylvania is through archaeology.

What PA Places are on your list?

October 25, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 2 Comments

Any Pennsylvanian at heart has a list of places in the Keystone State that captures the essence of who we are.

We need your help! Be a part of Planning for Preservation in Pennsylvania

September 27, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 0 Comments

Exciting news! It is time to update Pennsylvania’s statewide historic preservation plan.

What better way to kick off that effort than with a new survey?!

Small stone building with large chimney and arched doors. — A recent Keystone Grant helped stabilize and repair the bosh (the smelting chamber within the furnace structure), which was very deteriorated. Photo from PA SHPO files, July 2023.

Celebrating Hay Creek Valley Historical Association

May 31, 2023 / April Frantz / 0 Comments

As we wrap up National Historic Preservation Month, we are highlighting the last of our 2022 Community Initiative Award winners. In this week’s post, we talked with Mark Zerr, Executive Director of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA), about their successful efforts to protect and interpret Joanna Furnace.

Man talks to group of seated audience. — Township Council member manager John Gillespie speaks about the history of the building and project. Photo courtesy of Ted Goldman.

Celebrating Concord Township and the Spring Valley AME Church

May 24, 2023 / Shelby Weaver Splain / 2 Comments

This week’s 2022 Community Initiative Award winner spotlight is on Concord Township’s preservation of the Spring Valley AME Church in Delaware County.

This project in Delaware County caught the eagle eye of one of my colleagues last year from some press reporting and I’m glad it did. She just happened to be the SHPO’s reviewer for most projects that were undertaken with funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), particularly using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money.

Using CDBG funds for historic preservation – like Concord Township did – is a great way for communities to invest in the older and historic places that matter to them and that tell their full stories.