CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL OF STATE HISTORICAL MARKERS
Adopted by Resolution of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC)
[June 19,2008]
1. The nomination is clear and organized and includes thorough documentation (with selected photocopies and bibliographies from primary and secondary sources) and verification of the facts claimed.
2. The person, place, or event to be marked had a significant impact on its times.
3. The person, place, or event to be marked is of statewide or national historical significance rather than that of local or regional interest.
4. The place, or event to be marked is historic and dated to at least ten years prior to the nomination. It is not contemporary.
5. The person to be marked has been deceased for at least ten years.
6. Nominations for geographical, topographical, or natural features are to be referred to the appropriate federal, state, or local agency.
7. People, places, and events already marked with existing monuments or markers receive less favorable consideration for a PHMC historical marker.
8. People, places, and events nominated, reviewed, and disapproved by the Commission three times in succession are not eligible for review panel consideration for a period of three years.
9. Governors of Pennsylvania are approved as the subject of a historical marker upon nomination (subject to Criteria #5).
10. Historic sites or properties owned by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission are approved as the subject of a historical marker upon nomination.
11. Places listed on the National Register of Historic Places and/or recognized as
National Historic Landmarks or United Nations World Heritage Sites receive consideration by the review panel. Such places will not be summarily approved, but will receive equal consideration.
12. Cemeteries and burial places are generally not approved unless the nomination demonstrates that the cemetery meets criterion 2, 3, or 11.
