To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Historical Marker Program is launching a series of interpretive “trails” that highlight Pennsylvania’s significant role in shaping the nation. These trails will guide the public through well-known and less-known stories, encouraging a deeper and more meaningful connection to the past.

As the “Keystone State,” Pennsylvania has been at the heart of the American story from the beginning:

  • Birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
  • Home to early abolitionist movements
  • A national leader in industrial innovation and labor organizing
  • A critical site for civil rights activism
  • A source of groundbreaking ideas and innovations that continue to shape the future

This month, we kick off the series with an introduction to the marker trail themes.

Why Historical Markers?

Markers offer more than just free and visible recognition of our state’s past. They invite us to reflect on how that history informs our present and future.

The Historical Marker Program is public-driven, which means Pennsylvanians nominate and shape the stories we choose to remember. With more than 2,500 markers across the state, there are countless opportunities to explore the complexities and contributions of Pennsylvania’s past.

Large group of Black and white people stand outside around a tall metal pole with text panel on top.

Dedication ceremony for Hakim’s Bookstore historical marker, September 2023.

How We Chose the Markers

PHMC staff selected a diverse mix of markers that reflect the goals of the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250):

  • Better understand the origins and multiple perspectives of issues facing our Commonwealth & nation
  • Use history to encourage and inspire future leaders
  • Celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvanians to our Commonwealth’s and Nation’s history
  • Leave a lasting impact on the next generation
  • Appreciate all the triumphs, trials, and tribulations that contributed to the Commonwealth

The markers span urban and rural settings, generations of human activity (from ancient to recent history), and a wide range of communities, cultures, and experiences. Selections range from city streets to hiking trails, from farmlands to industrial centers, and from somber chapters to transformative achievements.

What Are the Themes?

The trails are organized around four guiding themes developed by the American Association for State and Local History’s 250th Anniversary Program Handbook:

  • We the People: Stories of identity, belonging, and community
  • Power of Place: How geography shapes culture and memory
  • American Experiment: Political, social, and economic innovation
  • Unfinished Revolutions: Ongoing struggles for justice, equity, and freedom
Screen shot of website showing five squares with the words "coming soon" and explanatory text on the left.

Landing page for the Marking the Journey StoryMap.

How to Engage

These trails are designed for use by educators, students, families, walking tour groups, scout troops, and anyone curious about Pennsylvania’s past. The interactive StoryMap will be accessible on any device, with downloadable PDFs for offline use.

Our goal is to provide a flexible, engaging tool that invites users to ask new questions, rethink what they thought they knew, and explore their surroundings with fresh perspective.

Stay Connected

Each theme will be released quarterly, beginning in Fall 2025. Be the first to know when each new trail is released by signing up for our Keystone Preservation Post newsletter and visiting pahistoricalmarkers.com for updates and trail access.

Join us as we explore Pennsylvania’s enduring role in the American story: past, present, and future!

 

 

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