The Bureau for Historic Preservation (BHP) is part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and serves as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
Learn more About the Bureau for Historic Preservation.

Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation Activities in Pennsylvania

Executive Summary (PDF)

Full Report (PDF)

Programs

• Community Preservation Information for Certified Local Governments (CLG) and historic preservation planning for communities.


• Cultural Resources Geographic Information System (CRGIS) Online map-based search for historic and archaeological resources.


• Grants and Funding Fiscal opportunities for museum and history organizations.


• Historical Marker Program Blue and gold aluminum markers found around the state to commemorate Pennsylvania's people, places, events and things in history.


• National and Pennsylvania Register Program Information for listing historic places on the national and state register.


• Project Review under the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106) and Pennsylvania History Code (the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Act, Chapter 5).


• Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit (RITC) program Federal tax incentive program for rehabilitating income producing historic properties.

Resources

• Forms and Guidance List of all BHP programs forms and guidance in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF formats.
  
• File Room Policy (PDF) Rules and instructions for patrons using the Bureau for Historic Preservation's resource records.
  
• Laws & Regulations List of state and federal laws related to historic preservation.


• News, Training & Issues Up-to-date information and news from the BHP including Preservation News & Notes newsletter.


• Preservation Plan Pennsylvania's five year plan for historic preservation efforts in the Commonwealth.


• Recording Resources How to steps and forms to surveying and recording archaeological and historic resources.


• Staff Directory List of BHP employees and contacts for each program.


• Marcellus Shale- Best Practices Set of best practices for historic and archaeological preservation while working with Marcellus Shale drilling.

Initiatives

• Agricultural History Project Comprehensive tool used to protect agricultural resources. Includes historical narrative, field guide, census information and maps.


• Architectural Field Guide provides general background on the architectural types and styles prevalent throughout the Commonwealth.


• Cemetery Recordation and Preservation provides resources to parties interested in learing about cemetery preservation, including laws, guidelines and tools, and survey forms.


• Cultural Resource Essential Series Information on a series of lectures and workshops aimed at educating cultural resource professionals.


• School Preservation Smart Growth Schools is an initiative that looks to promote the reuse of existing neighborhood schools
  
• Greening Historic Buildings in 21st Century Symposium was held on December 16, 2009. Presentations from the symposium are available at: http://www.pabookstore.com/grhibuin21ce.html