For nearly three decades, PHMC has been an innovator in providing services to communities, helping to preserve and reuse (and occasionally repurpose) their heritage assets. Among the services provided are educational programs, research tools, project reviews, economic development, technical assistance, historical markers, the National Register of Historic Places program, the Pennsylvania Inventory, and grant funding to a wide variety of non-profit organizations and local governments. These services are used to enhance knowledge, develop programs, encourage new projects, support museums, their collections and programs, archives, and local government records management and operating expenses for county historical societies.

Staff developed a series of four workshops titled "Cultural Resources Essentials Series." These were aimed at educating cultural resource professionals, volunteers, municipal officials and other agency partners working with the bureau’s programs. The series has been highly successful and averages 150 participants at each workshop.

innovation

PHMC received a Preserve America grant to help Pennsylvania’s Preserve America communities plan for the future of their historic resources. In total, four boroughs, three cities, and two regions were selected to participate.

Staff developed an Architectural Field Guide which is a new Web site that provides a general background on the architectural types and styles prevalent in Pennsylvania and information about styles with coordinating photos and lists of identifying features. 

Staff developed "researchers guides" to assist those wishing to develop significance statements for National Register of Historic Places evaluations and nominations. These include an "Agricultural History Project" which provides a comprehensive tool used to protect natural and historic resources that comprise Pennsylvania’s farms; over 1,100 farms have been surveyed. "Railroad Resources" has involved synthesizing documentation on these resources and updating PHMC Cultural Resources RGIS database. Another guide in development is "Post World War II Subdivisions." "African-American Resources" documents 13 communities with a historic context statement that will facilitate the nomination of African-American resources in Pennsylvania.

Staff completed an agreement that will streamline the review process with the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Federal Highway Agency for review of federal and state transportation projects and their effects on historical and archaeological resources. As a result, less money and time will be spent on routine tasks with more proactive planning implemented.

impact

 

In collaboration with the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh and AIA (American Institute of Architects), PHMC offered all Pennsylvania’s Certified Local Governments a special opportunity to receive professional design assistance for projects in their communities. The project in Hollidaysburg (above) focused on opportunities for design improvements along the U.S. Route 22 corridor. In Gettysburg, the project focused on the newly designated "Elm Street" District. Both boroughs are now identifying potential funding sources to implement the design improvements.

Archaeologists and historic preservation specialists consulted on state and federally funded building and construction projects that have state or federal government involvement or require permits. Staff responded to 6,705 submissions that represented 4,485 separate projects, 3,059 new projects and 76 separate agency programs.

PHMC awarded 318 grants to organizations in 60 counties, including $3.5 million in Museum Assistance Grants and $1.3 million in Keystone Historic Preservation Grants. Used as a catalyst, these grants have helped raise tens of millions of dollars in matching and private support.

PHMC historical markers recognized the energy innovations of the Tidewater Pipe Company to transport crude oil in Crawford County to the impact of Shippingport Atomic Power Station.

Twenty-two Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit (RITC) Program projects were completed totaling more than $95 million in private investment toward the rehabilitation of historic properties.