Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 30, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message With this issue, we are pleased to present to our “friends” of history and of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission the redesigned version of Pennsylvania Heritage. It is our hope that all who see and read it will become part of the broader audience we are seeking to serve through a more diversified and colorful magazine. The process, however, has only begun; we shall...
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Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 30, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message Among those things about which we are justly proud and want to share fully with friends of Pennsylvania his­tory is the recent completion of the new Archives-Land Records Search Room located in the Commission’s Archives Building in Harrisburg. This remodeled and expanded area will be a welcome addition to the research facilities for all who wish to make use of the extensive holdings of...
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Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 30, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message In the past two years, the Commission has undertaken many dramatic and exciting new initiatives – the Property Placement Program, the establishment of a statewide revolv­ing fund (the Preservation Fund of Pennsylvania, Inc.) and the redesign and presentation of Pennsylvania Heritage, to name a few. After many months of planning we are now ready to launch another initiative which promises...
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Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 29, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message Barely a year ago the Commission decided that the time had arrived to focus attention on the larger histori­cal and cultural community in Pennsylvania. One of our first initiatives was the design of an innovative museum assistance program to serve the five hundred historical societies and museums scattered throughout the Common­wealth. Not only has this important program been conceived and...
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Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 29, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message With the encouragement of our excellent Commission and the additional critical support of Governor Thorn­burgh and the General As­sembly, over the past years we have been able to deal ef­fectively with most of the criti­cal property, collection and program issues facing the His­torical and Museum Com­mission. We are now in a posi­tion to begin assuming the role of statewide leadership which we...
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Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 29, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message Since the Pennsylvania His­torical and Museum Commis­sion is an agency of state gov­ernment, it might surprise many readers to know the extent to which the agency’s many programs and projects are supported by enthusiastic volunteers and charitable con­tributions. In a survey of asso­ciate groups’ support during 1984, it was determined that these volunteer organizations contributed a...
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Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 29, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message It is always a special pleasure to report good and encour­aging news. Friends and long­time acquaintances of the Commission will, we hope, take heart at the vast number of new opportunities and program developments at the Commission. Since they are numerous, I trust our readers will excuse this serial listing: 1. Flagship Niagara. After years of slow deterioration at its present above-ground...
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Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 29, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message History is, at best, a diffi­cult and challenging, ever evolving phenomenon – and one which is seemingly impos­sible to record in progress. Or perhaps most people don’t normally think of tracking history while it is occurring. Most of us read daily newspa­pers, listen to the radio, and watch television each and every day. But how many of us actually pause at the end of a year or so...
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Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 29, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, I am pleased to report, is reach­ing out to assume its proper role as a cohesive, statewide force to influence the appreci­ation and preservation of history, heritage, art and cul­ture throughout the Common­wealth. The indications of this role are many – and tangible. We have recently com­pleted an intensive survey of the records of each...
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Executive Director’s Message

Posted by on Nov 29, 2013 in | Comments Off on Executive Director’s Message One of the most exciting developments for the Friends of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission was the recent pledge of one hun­dred and ten thousand dollars from Mellon Bank to purchase a new tractor trailer for the agency’s Mobile Museum! One of the Commission’s most popular – and far-reaching programs – the Mobile Mu­seum carries our rich heritage to all...
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