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 heritage. The commission cares for historical manuscripts, public records, and objects of historical interest; museums; archeology; publications; historic sites and properties; historic preservation; geographic names; and the promotion of public interest in Pennsylvania history.
9-605: PHMC was established on June 6, 1945, by state Act No. 446, merging the Pennsylvania Historical Commission (PHC) , The State Museum of Pennsylvania , and Pennsylvania State Archives . The PHMC administers the Historical Marker Program, which, when it began in 1914, installed metal plaques onto large rocks and boulders to commemorate individuals, events, and landmarks throughout the state. The Pennsylvania Historical Commission,
18-671: Is a non-profit history museum at 300 North Street in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania , United States. It is run by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to preserve and interpret the Commonwealth's history and culture. It is a part of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex . On March 28, 1905, Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker signed legislation establishing the museum for "the preservation of objects illustrating
27-667: The Pennsylvania State House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker and Minority Leader. In March 2019, the chair was Nancy Moses, and the executive director was Andrea Lowery. PHMC Commissioners as of March 2019 were: Ophelia M. Chambliss, Andy Dinniman , William V. Lewis, Robert Matzie, Fredrick C. Powell, Pedro Rivera , Robert M. Savakinus, Joseph B. Scarnati III , David Schuyler, Kenneth C. Turner, Parke Wentling, and Philip D. Zimmermann. State Museum of Pennsylvania The State Museum of Pennsylvania
36-634: The features are an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibitions related to the American Civil War and an extensive collection of industrial and technological innovations, including artwork, paintings, dioramas , and other audio-visuals aid in the interpretation. There are over three million objects in the museum's collections. The museum has many exhibits that showcase Pennsylvania history. The state museum divided its exhibits into three categories; permanent, changing, and online. Diorama Too Many Requests If you report this error to
45-462: The flora and fauna of the state, and its mineralogy, geology, archeology, arts and history." The State Museum of Pennsylvania mission statement was influenced by the many other state museums that were already established, including those in New York , Illinois , and Indiana . Later in 1905, Pennypacker signed Act 481, giving the museum $ 20,000 in startup funding for its creation. On March 1, 1907,
54-673: The fourth and fifth floors. In 2014, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The museum's central hall features a large statue of William Penn , who founded the Province of Pennsylvania in 1681 during the British colonial era . The museum includes a multi-media planetarium , as well as four floors of exhibits and displays covering Pennsylvania history from prehistoric times through current events. Visitation averages 315,000 people annually. Among
63-669: The museum staff and collection moved into the Executive Office Building. It became part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 1945 and moved to its present building in 1964. It is located adjacent to the Pennsylvania State Capitol . The building is round, and the museum exhibits are on its ground, first, second, and third floors. The museum staff's offices and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission are on
72-528: The predecessor to the PHMC, launched the program. The markers were redesigned in 1945–46 to make them easier to read from a passing car. Large cast aluminum markers were mounted on poles along a street or road, close to where a landmark was located, a person lived or worked, or an event occurred. By 2020, more than 2,000 markers were in place and were being maintained by the PHMC. The PHMC has posted criteria for inclusion for new markers and accepts marker proposals from
81-725: The public. PHMC also publishes Pennsylvania Heritage magazine in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation . The commission is organized as an independent administrative board, including nine citizens of the Commonwealth appointed by the Governor , the state's Secretary of Education , two members of the Pennsylvania State Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore and Minority Leader, and two members of
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