From the Executive Director

In recent news reports, many of you have heard about the loss of federal grants for museums and historical organizations. Over the past few months, I have been asked often about the effect this has had on the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

For context, as of this past spring, many museums across the country lost grants that had been competitively awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), an independent federal agency dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation and public programs in the humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent agency focused on advancing and supporting America’s museums and libraries.

When these grants were rescinded, PHMC had one active IMLS grant of $48,400 that had been awarded to Eckley Miners’ Village. This grant was to support the creation of a STEAM center that would serve as a meeting place for northeastern Pennsylvania’s universities, local K–12 schools, and the broader community. We received notification in mid-April that this grant had been terminated. Funding is distributed via reimbursement, so with the work just getting underway, PHMC was unable to claim the promised award.

The direct effect of the loss of this grant on our agency was relatively modest, and we will continue this work regardless; however, the impact of the loss of these grants on Pennsylvania museums overall is significant.

Although PHMC serves as the state’s history agency, preserving and interpreting Pennsylvania’s past is not something we do alone. It is through partnerships with many other organizations across the commonwealth that we preserve and share our rich and diverse history. This monumental task is also the work of local historical societies, archives, historic sites and museums, both large and small.

Pennsylvania’s museums and historical organizations depend on a variety of funding streams for their operations. They rely on admissions, earned revenue, donations and grants in order to steward collections, hire staff, develop programs and exhibitions, and keep the doors open.

Budgets are usually tight, and grant funding is invaluable, often supporting work or projects that would be impossible without it. Museums and historical organizations throughout Pennsylvania have benefited from competitive grants from both NEH and IMLS. Between 2020 and 2024, the commonwealth received $111 million through these programs. IMLS has provided grants for special initiatives, museum and collections assessments, digital projects, and professional development. NEH grants have funded historic preservation work, exhibitions, research in heritage collections, collections assessments and training.

When IMLS and NEH grants were terminated, many Pennsylvania institutions lost important funding to support their work. Some of the initiatives that lost grant money were a natural history exhibition, a project exploring the stories of Black Quakers in Philadelphia, multiple projects to digitize collections to improve access, and the stabilization and conservation of artworks. Funding for educators and other staff was lost, as was a national study of institutional collecting practices and policies for museums.

Museums, cultural institutions and historical organizations are vital to community well-being. Humanities bring people together, cultivate a sense of belonging, and foster critical thinking skills. Museums help us understand not only the past but also the present. They help us to plan for the future we want. They delight us and inspire us. They drive tourism and bring visitors to our towns and cities. They create jobs and serve as economic engines. They help create a sense of place within their communities and promote civic engagement.

The budgets for IMLS and NEH have little impact on the federal budget. IMLS received $294.8 million from Congress in 2024, or .0046 percent of the overall federal budget. NEH received even less at $207 million. This modest investment has a huge impact, with these two organizations providing critical grants to historical organizations and museums that make a difference in communities throughout the nation.

The landscape around these grants and other programs continues to change. If you have questions or are concerned about the effect these losses will have on museums, historic sites or historical education, you may want to share your perspective with your U.S. representative and senators. Your voice may help preserve Pennsylvania history.

Andrea Lowery
Executive Director, PHMC