The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission announced that individuals, public agencies and private organizations can nominate historic properties, persons and events of state or national significance for the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Program by June 1.
Since 1914, PHMC’s historical markers have chronicled the people, places and events that have affected the lives of Pennsylvanians over the centuries. The more than 2,500 markers feature a multitude of noteworthy subjects, such as Native Americans and settlers, government and politics, athletes, entertainers, artists, struggles for freedom and equality, and factories and businesses.
Managed by the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office, the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Program is one of PHMC’s most visible public history initiatives. The program brings together nominators, PHMC representatives, public officials and local residents to dedicate and celebrate the installation of each new marker with a public ceremony.
Visit pahistoricalmarkers.com for more information on the program, including marker criteria, the approval process and resources to assist nominators.
Beginning with markers approved in 2022, the people or organizations nominating the marker are no longer responsible for the costs of marker fabrication; however, they are still responsible for the installation costs. Check with your appropriate municipal department for more information. PHMC assumes all responsibilities for maintaining the marker once installed.
Nominations must be submitted electronically by June 1 through PA-SHARE, PHMC’s web-based application that replaces the existing paper-based system. Nominators must create a Keystone Login profile to submit a marker nomination in PA-SHARE. See the tutorial for step-by-step instructions.
Nominations are reviewed by a panel of independent historical experts from across the state. The panel recommendations are then presented to PHMC’s commissioners for review and a formal vote to approve, reject or modify the panel recommendations at their Sept. 7 meeting. Notification of the commission results is sent in writing to all nominators shortly thereafter.
Inquiries about submitting nominations for evaluation or the marker program in general should be directed to program coordinator Alli Davis at [email protected] or 717-705-4266.
