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The Pennsylvania Heritage Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded in 1983 to support the activities of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). The Pennsylvania Heritage Society acts as fiscal agent for the PHMC on a number of projects, including professional development opportunities for teachers such as the federally-funded Teaching American History grants. With the support of over 4,000 members the Heritage Society works with the PHMC on a variety of projects to preserve and interpret Pennsylvania's history, art and culture, including:

• Civil War Pennsylvania 150, a statewide coalition of museums, historical organizations, universities, and state agencies which is planning and implementing special programs commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, 2011-2015.
• Pennsylvania Civil War Muster Rolls Preservation Project at the Pennsylvania State Archives funded by the national Save America's Treasures grant program.
• Teaching American History professional development for classroom teachers at The State Museum and Pennsylvania State Archives in partnership with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Lewisburg, PA
• Signature Series, inaugurated in early 2006, to provide Pennsylvania Heritage Society members and guests with special opportunities to meet popular historians, curators and authors, as well as to experience in-depth tours and rare behind-the-scenes experiences at Pennsylvania's historic sites and museums.
• The elegantly designed quarterly magazine Pennsylvania Heritage is co-published by the Pennsylvania Heritage Society and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission was created in 1945 to consolidate the functions of the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, the State Museum and the State Archives. Charged with the responsibility of preserving the Commonwealth's historic heritage, the Commission administers the state archival and records management program and numerous museums and historical sites. The Commission also assists local historical societies and governmental agencies in all matters regarding historical preservation, conducts research and publication programs to promote Pennsylvania history, and manages the State Records Center. The Commission operates through its Bureau of Archives and History, Bureau of Museums, Bureau of Historic Sites and Properties, and Bureau of Historic Preservation.

The State Archives was originally created as the Division of Public Records in 1903 as an administrative unit in the State Library. A State Museum was also created under the State Library in accordance with legislation passed in 1905. As part of a general reorganization in 1919, the State Library became the State Library and Museum. In 1923 the State Library and Museum was made an administrative unit of the Department of Public Instruction as was the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, which had functioned as an independent commission since its establishment in 1913. Under the Department of Public Instruction, the State Library and Museum worked through five sections: the General Library, Law Library, Library Extension, Archives and History, and the State Museum. For related materials see Record Group 13, Records of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

• Teaching American History Grant Project Files, 2002-2009. (4 cartons) {#512m.1}
  

PA State Archives

Hours, Directions, & Fees

Research Topics

Finding Aids for Collections

Land Records