Executive Director’s Message

Written by in the From the Executive Director category and the March 1978 issue Topics in this article:
From the Executive Director features news and reflections on the work of PHMC by its chief administrator.

The historical society section of this issue of Heritage carries a very special announcement for societies in the State. The announcement by the Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies and the Historical Foundation of Pennsylvania of the initiation of an award named in honor of S. K. Stevens, late executive director of the Pennsyl­vania Historical and Museum Commission, is good news on several counts for everyone concerned with State history. First of all the award is a fitting tribute to Dr. Stevens, who worked tirelessly on behalf of State history and was a moving force behind the creation of the American Asso­ciation for State and Local History. Even more importantly, the award, which carries a substantial cash grant: should provide much-needed incentive for historical organiza­tions throughout the State to implement programs of the highest quality. The efforts of thousands of Pennsylvanians in probing and preserving our historic heritage are too frequently left unrewarded, especially in the case of dedi­cated volunteers. While this award and others offered by the AASLH and the State federation cannot recognize the totality of historical endeavors in the Commonwealth, they can stimulate the ongoing interest in our past and make significant contributions to the cause of Pennsyl­vania history. Thus, the announcement of the S. K. Stevens award comes as a much-needed “shot in the arm” for historical organizations as Pennsylvania approaches the three-hundredth anniversary of its founding.

William J. Wewer
Executive Director