Latest news with #PHMC
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Market House gets its doors
Thanks to a $44,000 grant award announced in the midst of the 155th anniversary of its construction, the Meadville Market House will soon be in the market for new doors. The current doors don't date back to the time of its construction in 1870, but they are believed to be more than 50 years old, according to Ashley Mattocks-Rose, who chairs the authority that oversees the Market House. 'We couldn't be more excited about it — new roof, new doors,' Mattocks Rose said in a phone interview Friday, recalling another grant announced in April that will provide $560,000 in funding for roof upgrades at the historic structure. 'We just really feel like we've got great momentum right now. It's a really exciting time for Meadville in general and for what the Market House means to Meadville.' The grant to the Market House was among 37 awards announced Thursday by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC). The recipients were selected from a competitive pool of 114 applicants. Each award requires a local match equal to the amount of the grant, according to the announcement. Other recipients in the state's northwestern region included the Erie County historical society, which received $100,000 to repair 96 original wood-framed windows in the historic Watson-Curtze mansion. Venango County will receive $100,000 to replace its courthouse roof. Built in 1868, the building's slate roof is believed to date to approximately 1905. The Oil City Civic Center will receive $15,000 for a new security camera system "We are pleased to support these important projects from across the Commonwealth," said Andrea Lowery, PHMC executive director. "It is rewarding to impact communities in 15 counties. The selected projects beautifully showcase what historic resources Pennsylvanians value – from cornerstone buildings in their downtowns, like a historic market house and a significant industrial complex, to an historic barn. This investment ensures that Pennsylvania's cultural memory will be preserved for future generations." The Market House grant will be supplemented in part with about $15,000 raised through the facility's 2024 Crawford Gives campaign, which specifically highlighted the need for new doors, according to Mattocks-Rose. The Market Authority kicked off the campaign with a parody music video featuring Mattocks-Rose and friend Austin Kulyk. The video, which amassed 10,000 views in less than 24 hours, featured the two singers seated in the building's seated in the main market space with a Market House-themed takeoff of the song 'Love is an Open Door' from the Disney musical 'Frozen.' 'We really need new doors,' the duo sang in the video, which is no longer available on the Market House Facebook page. 'Help us replace our doooooors — historically accurate doors.' Mattocks-Rose said she didn't think the video was part of the authority's grant application, but said another video would likely be part of the strategy for the 2025 Crawford Gives event later this summer. The high cost of replacing the doors results from the need for custom fabrication of doors that are both historically appropriate and secure. Mattocks-Rose said a handicapped accessible entrance is also being considered for the building's northwest corner. A timeline for construction has not yet been determined. The building's 155-year history is the result of extended collective effort, according to Mattock-Rose, and the impending investments in the structure could set the stage for improvements in programming. 'It feels like now is the time to really just ramp this building up,' she said. 'Our job is to make sure that it's open for another 155 years.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Conrad Weiser Homestead volunteer honored by PA
A Conrad Weiser Homestead volunteer was one of 32 volunteers honored by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for their service at state's historic sites and museums. Ivy Matthews of Womelsdorf was recognized in May for her significant contributions of time and talent during the PHMC's Volunteer of the Year ceremony at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Manheim Township, Lancaster County. Ivy Matthews 'Our volunteers are not just helpful; they are absolutely vital to our mission and the ongoing success of our historic sites and museums,' Andrea Lowery, PHMC executive director, said in a statement. Matthews began volunteering last year at Conrad Weiser Homestead, Heidelberg Township. The 26-acre historic site, owned and governed by the PHMC, has been operated since 2009 by the Friends of Conrad Weiser Homestead, a nonprofit volunteer group. The friends schedule and run tours and events that interpret the life of Conrad Weiser, an 18th century German immigrant and Indian interpreter, who was a key figure in the founding of Reading and Berks County. 'We are so fortunate that Ivy came to us in 2024,' the friends group wrote in its nomination of Matthews, 'and we look forward to many more years of her time and talents.' Matthews, who has a passion for history and gardening, serves as a tour docent and assists with the many themed gardens at the 26-acre homestead, including the culinary herb garden and raised-bed perennial gardens. She also used her decorating talents to clean and stage the homestead's springhouse for public presentations. She grew up in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, where her childhood visits and school trips to area historic sites fostered her interest in Pennsylvania's history. A licensed registered nurse, she holds a Master of Science degree in nursing leadership and management with a specialty in gerontology. She retired in 2019 after a long career with Veteran Affairs. 'We recognize the powerful impact our volunteers make through their passion for history, their strong connection to our communities and their unwavering desire to create welcoming and enriching experiences for all who visit and seek to understand our shared heritage,' Lowery said. The Pennsylvania Trails of History encompasses a vast network of historical sites and museums, including battlefields, historic homes, industrial sites and farm and village museums. Each historic site and museum within the network is invited annually to nominate a volunteer for recognition. PHMC leaders have gathered each spring for more than 40 years to express gratitude and celebrate exceptional volunteer service. To join the Friends of Conrad Weiser Homestead or to volunteer, visit
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grant applications now open for historical record keeping in Pennsylvania
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Groups who are looking to preserve, care for and survey historical records in Pennsylvania can now apply for a grant that will help fund the necessary care. The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and the Pennsylvania State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) announced that applications are now open for the Historical and Archival Records Care (HARC). Groups like historical societies, libraries, universities, local governments, and school districts can submit an application to potentially receive funding. Applications can be submitted until August 1, and a committee will award grants of up to $5,000 at a later date. No matching of funds is required for this grant program. 'Use it or lose it' PTO policies could change under new Pa. proposed bill Money that is awarded can be used for various projects that involve Pennsylvania records. Funding may also be used to purchase equipment that may be necessary to preserve history. The only types of work that are not eligible for funding are art, textiles, artifacts and museum objects. Here are the requirements that an organization must meet: Must be a nonprofit (must have tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service) or local government entity located in Pennsylvania; Must have been incorporated and in existence for two years prior to the submission of a grant application; Applications must be submitted through the DCED's Electronic Single Application for Assistance website. Organizations are encouraged to be registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations), as required. Other conditions that the project must meet to receive funding: All projects must relate directly to some aspect of Pennsylvania's history. An organization must be engaged in the preservation of original historical records for public access. Proposals must adhere to professional archival standards for the care, preparation and storage of materials. Digitization projects must follow the Pennsylvania State Archives' Digitization Guidelines. Work cannot begin until the successful applicant has received a fully executed Grant Agreement. Work that starts prior to the disbursement of funds cannot be reimbursed. Funding may be requested for surveying, inventorying, preserving, arranging, and describing historical records relevant to Pennsylvania. Funding may also be requested for reformatting or the purchase of supplies and equipment. More information about applying for the grant can be found on the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission website. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Two webinars will also be held to provide an overview of the criteria, guidelines, and tips for the application process and organizations that may be interested in applying are encouraged to attend. The webinars will take place on May 13 at 10 a.m. and June 17 and 1 p.m. You can register for a webinar here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ -
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Historical Commission collects 36 items from Governor's Residence after arson attack
(WHTM) — The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) had 36 items from its collection in the Governor's Residence at the time of the alleged arson attack. The items include paintings, sculptures, and furniture. Most damage was to a tall case clock that dates back to the 1790s. The clock still has to be cleaned, as well as a Pennsylvania silver collection from the USS Pennsylvania. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The commission says closed doors contained the fire and helped keep soot from reaching these items, making for a faster restoration process. Soot is acidic and can damage surfaces. 'Have the minimal intervention that you can and really limit the cleaning so that it's not aggressive, so that could look like HEPA vacuuming of surfaces, it could look like putting something with soft surfaces in a hydroxyl chamber, or in some cases, using a soot sponge to remove the soot,' said Andrea Lowery, the Executive Director of the PHMC. Items are being returned as they are cleaned and as the areas of the residence that they were in open up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
No historical items destroyed in arson attack on Governor Shapiro's Residence
(WHTM) — The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) provided new information on the attack on the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence. According to the PHMC, no historical items were destroyed, and no original works were affected. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The commission just finished an inventory of all items loaned to the Governor's Residence, where they found that only one state-owned artifact, a tall clock, had minor damage. There were exhibits with reproductions more seriously damaged, but they're not originals and can be recreated. Items impacted by the fire will be cleaned and restored off-site. The full statement can be seen below: On Monday, April 14, 2025, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) Executive Director Andrea Lowery, accompanied by two PHMC curators, conducted a thorough on-site evaluation of the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence to assess the impact on historical items after yesterday's attack. PHMC has completed an inventory of all PHMC collections and loaned objects present at the Governor's residence following the fire. Fortunately, no historical items were destroyed. While one state-owned historic artifact—a tall wall clock—sustained minor heat damage, the majority of the damage to these items is a result of smoke. The most significant impact of the fire is the damage to the Governor's Residence itself. Two temporary exhibits were on display at the time of the fire: 'A Common Canvas: Pennsylvania's New Deal Post Office Murals' and a photo exhibit highlighting Marian Anderson. Both of these exhibits featured only reproductions, meaning no original works were affected. Most of the material from the 'Common Canvas' exhibit was lost, but it can be recreated. The Marian Anderson exhibit experienced only smoke damage and can also be recreated. All items have been moved offsite and, in the coming days and weeks, will be assessed, cleaned, and restored by outside conservators with the assistance of PHMC curators. The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is committed to stewarding the commonwealth's history and collections and is taking all appropriate steps to ensure these collections are preserved for future generations of Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
