The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) invites individuals, public agencies and private organizations to nominate historic properties or locations with statewide or national significance for PHMC’s State Historical Marker Program. Historical markers chronicle the state’s notable people, places, events, and innovations. The postmark deadline for nominations is Dec. 1, 2013.
The State Historical Marker Program helps communities throughout Pennsylvania recognize, preserve and promote their history. Since 1914, PHMC has been marking Pennsylvania historical sites, first with bronze plaques and later with blue and gold markers that dot streets and highways.
The more than 2,000 markers tell the stories of Native Americans and early settlers, government and politics, athletes, entertainers, artists, struggles for freedom and equality, factories, businesses and a multitude of other topics.
Subjects of markers approved in 2013 include the invention of the Banana Split in Latrobe, Westmoreland County; Camp Elder, a detention area in Westtown Township, Chester County, where paroled Civil War POWs were temporarily held by the Union Army; Walter M. Golaski, who developed the first practical artificial blood vessel that revolutionized vascular replacement surgery in Philadelphia; and the Cresson Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Cresson Township, Cambria County, a state-run facility for tuberculosis patients that represents Pennsylvania’s leadership in the prevention and treatment of TB in the U.S.
One of the PHMC’s most visible public history initiatives, the marker program brings together nominators, PHMC representatives and local residents to dedicate and celebrate the installation of each new marker with a public ceremony.
For more information on the marker program or to download a nomination form, visit www.pahistoricalmarkers.com.
Applicants are responsible for the costs of marker fabrication and installation. The approximate cost, including shipping, for the larger roadside marker is $1,875; the smaller city-type is approximately $1,400. Nominators or sponsoring organizations are asked to carefully consider these expenses before submitting an application.
The application deadline is Dec. 1, 2013. Send completed nominations to: State Historical Marker Program, Bureau for Historic Preservation, PHMC, 400 North St., Second Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Inquiries about submitting nominations for evaluation or the marker program in general should be directed to Karen Galle, program coordinator, at the same postal address; by e-mail to kgalle@pa.gov; or by telephone at 717-705-4266.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. More information is available at www.phmc.state.pa.us.