Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

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.[1]

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Logo of the PHMC
Agency overview
FormedJune 6, 1945
Preceding agency
  • Pennsylvania Historical Commission
JurisdictionState government of Pennsylvania
HeadquartersState Museum Building,
300 North Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
40°15′57″N 76°53′6.5″W
Agency executives
  • Nancy Moses, Chair
  • Andrea W. Lowery, Executive Director
Websitewww.phmc.state.pa.us

PHMC was established June 6, 1945, by state Act No. 446, merging the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, Pennsylvania State Museum and Pennsylvania State Archives.[2]

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 March 2019, the chairman is Nancy Moses and the executive director is Andrea Lowery. PHMC Commissioners as of March 2019 are Ophelia M. Chambliss, Andrew E. Dinniman, Senator, William V. Lewis, Robert Matzie, Representative; Fredrick C. Powell, Pedro Rivera (ex officio, Secretary of Education), Robert M. Savakinus, Joseph B. Scarnati III, Senator, David Schuyler, Ph.D., Kenneth C. Turner, Parke Wentling, Representative; Philip D. Zimmermann.

PHMC Mission: The PHMC works in partnership with others to preserve the Commonwealth's natural and cultural heritage as a steward, teacher and advocate for the people of Pennsylvania and the nation.

PHMC Vision: The PHMC enriches people's lives by helping them to understand Pennsylvania's past, to appreciate the present, and to embrace the future.

Historical marker program
Main article: List of Pennsylvania state historical markers

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.[3]

Pennsylvania Heritage

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

List of PHMC administered sites in Pennsylvania

See also

References
  1. PMHC Official Website
  2. Beyer, George (1991). Guide to the State Historical Markers of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. p. 3. ISBN 0-89271-040-3.
  3. PHMC Historical Marker Program
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.