The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania: Smithsonian Affiliation and New Museum History Book

Posted by on Dec 13, 2016 in | Comments Off on The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania: Smithsonian Affiliation and New Museum History Book Smithsonian Affiliations has accepted the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania as one of its newest members, clearing the way for the eventual exhibition of Smithsonian artifacts at the site in Strasburg, Lancaster County. “This type of association with the Smithsonian gives you instant credibility” said Jeffrey Bliemeister, director of the Railroad Museum. “It’s a good marketing tool that I hope...
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From the Executive Director

Posted by on Apr 19, 2016 in | Comments Off on From the Executive Director For many of us, spring is the traditional season to think about nature and the great outdoors, but here at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), we think about it all year long. It’s hard to separate Pennsylvania’s history from its natural history; in fact, PHMC is officially charged with “the conservation of Pennsylvania’s historic and natural...
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Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Newsletter

Posted by on Apr 12, 2016 in | Comments Off on Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Newsletter Topics in the Fall 2015 Newsletter: Pennsylvania Turnpike Exhibit Opening at The State Museum The Giving Circle Celebrating 50 Years: The 50th Anniversary Gala for The State Museum and Archive Complex Western Trails of History Join the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation  ...
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Industrial Heritage Trails

Posted by on Apr 12, 2016 in | Comments Off on Industrial Heritage Trails America’s first significant industries date back to the 18th century with the iron plantations in Pennsylvania and the development of the factory system in New England textile mills. Preservation of our industrial heritage, however, is a fairly recent phenomenon, beginning for the most part after World War II. Prior to the war, federal programs and even private initiatives were designated...
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Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Newsletter

Posted by on Aug 21, 2015 in | Comments Off on Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Newsletter Topics in the Summer 2013 Newsletter: Stories from the Homefront: Pennsylvania in the Civil War Opens in September New PaHeritage.org Website Trailheads: 250 Years on the Pennsylvania Trails of History Welcome New PHF Members Welcome New State Museum Affiliate Members PHF Board Harrisburg SciTech High School Docents Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center Pennsylvania Lumber Museum...
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Volunteers of the Year

Posted by on Jun 19, 2015 in | Comments Off on Volunteers of the Year On Saturday, April 18 PHMC staff and volunteers gathered at The State Museum of Pennsylvania for the 40th annual Volunteer of the Year program. Twenty-two volunteers were honored for service in 2014, and two received Outstanding Service Awards, recognizing long-term dedication. Awards were presented by Fredrick Powell and William Lewis, Commissioners; David Dunn, Director of The State Museum;...
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Midcentury Modern Trails

Posted by on May 11, 2015 in | Comments Off on Midcentury Modern Trails From the 1950s into the 1970s, when Midcentury Modern architecture was at its height, a flurry of new construction took place on the Trails of History. Many of the visitor centers and museums from this period echoed historic forms appropriate to the sites where they were built. The visitor center at Ephrata Cloister, constructed in the late 1950s to mid-1960s, is complementary to the surviving...
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Ask A Curator Day

Posted by on May 8, 2015 in | Comments Off on Ask A Curator Day Sarah Buffington was quick with her response. The longtime curator at Old Economy Village in Ambridge, Beaver County, had expected the question and she was ready. “Probably a static electricity machine,” she said. “The communal Harmony Society had a science museum, which we’ve recreated. They tried to make electricity in the 1820s and ’30s. It didn’t work...
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Trails for the Holidays

Posted by on May 8, 2015 in | Comments Off on Trails for the Holidays As summer turns to fall and you start to wonder where the time went, rest assured that the Pennsylvania Trails of History still have much to offer before 2014 winds down. Take some time to explore your favorite site – or make a first visit – and see if the pace doesn’t slow just a bit. Between changing exhibits, special events and our regular offerings, it isn’t difficult to find...
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2013 PHMC By the Numbers Infographic

Posted by on May 8, 2015 in | Comments Off on 2013 PHMC By the Numbers Infographic Each year the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, co-publisher of Pennsylvania Heritage magazine with the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation, produces an annual report detailing its activities. In order to highlight some of our most interesting achievements and to quantify our successes we’ve put together a snapshot of these activities in the form of this infographic. Infographics are...
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