Executive Director’s Message

Written by in the From the Executive Director category and the Winter 1980 issue Topics in this article:
From the Executive Director features news and reflections on the work of PHMC by its chief administrator.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and other organizations throughout the Commonwealth are initiating plans for the observance of Pennsylvania’s Ter­centenary – the three hundredth anniversary of its founding. Among the programs being launched by the Commission is a project to erect a state historical marker at each county seat at or near the courthouse commemorating that county’s establishment and heritage. The PHMC has already asked each county historical society to name a coordinator to assist at the local level with the marker’s erection and dedication. In addition, arrangements are being made to begin production of the first twenty-three signs which are to be completed in the order in which the counties were created.

This Tercentenary marker project, which will be conducted alongside the Commission’s regular Historical Marker Program, should not be seen as an end in itself. From the beginning, one of its objectives has been to serve as an impetus to local Tercentenary celebrations. By working with local historical organizations and uti­lizing county marker dedications to galvanize other historical activity, citizens can extend their own involvement in local history and. in so doing, celebrate in a very meaningful way the beginning of Penn’s Holy Experiment in 1681. As the Tercentenary approaches, this Commission stands ready to be of assistance to any group or individual that wishes to plan activities as a part of this statewide com­memoration.

William J. Wewer
Executive Director