Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Logo of the PHMC
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | June 6, 1945 |
| Preceding agency |
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| Jurisdiction | State government of Pennsylvania |
| Headquarters |
State Museum Building, 300 North Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 40°15′57″N 76°53′6.5″W / 40.26583°N 76.885139°W |
| Agency executives |
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| Website | www.phmc.state.pa.us |
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is the governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage. The commission cares for historical manuscripts, public records, and objects of historic interest; museums; archeology; publications; historic sites and properties; historic preservation; geographic names; and the promotion of public interest in Pennsylvania history.
PHMC was established June 6, 1945, by state Act No. 446, merging the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, Pennsylvania State Museum and Pennsylvania State Archives.
The Commission is an independent administrative board, consisting of nine citizens of the Commonwealth appointed by the Governor; the Secretary of Education ex officio; two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore and Minority Leader; and two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker and Minority Leader. As of April 2014, the chairman is Andrew Masich and the executive director is James Vaughan. PHMC Commissioners as of April 2014 are John A. Barbour, Karen Dougherty Buchholz, Susan M. Corbett, Jim Ferlo, Senator, William V. Lewis, Robert Matzie, Representative, Ann M. Moran, Jean Craige Pepper Victor, Scott Petri, Representative, Fredrick C. Powell, Richard M. Sand, Joseph B. Scarnati III, Senator, Carolyn Dumaresq, ex officio, Acting Secretary of Education.
PHMC Mission: The PHMC works in partnership with others to preserve the Commonwealth's natural and cultural heritage as a steward, teacher and advocate for the people of Pennsylvania and the nation.
PHMC Vision: The PHMC enriches people's lives by helping them to understand Pennsylvania's past, to appreciate the present, and to embrace the future.
The PHMC administers the Historical Marker Program, which installs bronze plaques to commemorate individuals, events, and landmarks throughout the state. The program was launched in 1914 by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, the predecessor to the PHMC. The signs were redesigned in 1945–46 to make them easier to read from a passing car. The PHMC has posted criteria for inclusion for new markers and accepts marker proposals from the public.
PHMC also publishes Pennsylvania Heritage magazine in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation.
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