Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

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The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is the governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage. The commission cares for historical manuscripts, public records, and objects of historic interest; museums; archeology; publications; historic sites and properties; historic preservation; geographic names; and the promotion of public interest in Pennsylvania history.

PHMC was established June 6, 1945, by state Act No. 446, merging the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, Pennsylvania State Museum and Pennsylvania State Archives.

Sites administered by the PHMC include Washington Crossing Historic Park, Eckley Miners' Village, the Anthracite Heritage Museum, Fort Pitt Museum, Conrad Weiser Homestead, Hope Lodge, the Daniel Boone Homestead, the Joseph Priestley House and many others.

The Commission is an independent administrative board, consisting of nine citizens of the Commonwealth appointed by the Governor; the Secretary of Education ex officio; two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore and Minority Leader; and two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker and Minority Leader. As of April 2008, the chairman is Wayne Spilove and the executive director is Barbara Franco.

Contents 1 Historical Marker Program 2 Pennsylvania Heritage 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Historical Marker Program

The PHMC administers the Historical Marker Program, which installs bronze plaques to commemorate individuals, events, and landmarks throughout the state. The program was launched in 1914 by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, the predecessor to the PHMC. The signs were redesigned in 1945-46 to make them easier to read from a passing car. The PHMC has posted criteria for inclusion for new markers and accepts marker proposals from the public.

[edit] Pennsylvania Heritage

PHMC also publishes Pennsylvania Heritage magazine in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Heritage Society.

[edit] See also

• History of Pennsylvania
• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
• List of Pennsylvania state agencies

[edit] References

• Official Website
• PHMC Historical Marker Program

v • d • e Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Museums and Archives Brandywine Battlefield · Bushy Run Battlefield · Cornwall Iron Furnace · Conrad Weiser Homestead · Daniel Boone Homestead · Drake Well Museum · Eckley Miners' Village · Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara · Ephrata Cloister · Fort Pitt Museum · Graeme Park · Hope Lodge & Mather Mill · Joseph Priestley House · Landis Valley Museum · Old Economy Village · Pennsbury Manor · Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum · Pennsylvania Lumber Museum · Pennsylvania Military Museum · Pennsylvania State Archives & State Museum of Pennsylvania · Pithole City · Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania · Scranton Iron Furnaces · Somerset Historical Center · Washington Crossing Historic Park