HARRISBURG, PA — In support of the continued preservation and celebration of the commonwealth’s history for the nation’s 250th anniversary and beyond, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) announced the award of nearly $4 million in cultural and historical support grants. This year’s funding will help 182 eligible museums and official county historical societies across 60 Pennsylvania counties.

“Museums and historical societies all across the commonwealth share in telling the story of Pennsylvania, its diverse communities and regions, and the important role they have played in our nation’s story,” said Andrea Lowery, executive director of the PHMC.

Designed to fortify Pennsylvania’s foundational history and museum community, the grant program delivers essential, unrestricted operating support to qualifying institutions. 

To qualify for the 2026-2027 grant cycle, eligible museums must maintain an annual operating budget of over $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind contributions) and employ at least one full-time professional or an approved equivalent.

This is the 15th year that the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission has worked with the state legislature to secure funding for museums and historical societies through the grant program.

Awards are calculated using a formula based on a percentage of each organization’s annual operating budget, with grants ranging from a minimum of $4,000 up to a maximum of $47,000.

Recipients in the region include:

-Lackawanna Historical Society, $9,500;

-The Everhart Museum of Natural History Science & Art, $20,000;

-Wayne County Historical Society, $9,500; and

-Pike County Historical Society, $9,500.