HARRISBURG - As part of the Governor Edward G. Rendell’s commitment to creating a first-rate public education system, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission today announced the award of more than $3 million in grants to more than 200 museums, historical organizations and local governments statewide.

Monroe

• Monroe County Assessment Office, archives and records management, $12,500
• Monroe County Historical Association, $10,000
• Middle Smithfield Township Supervisors, local history, $5,000
• Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, $10,150

Pike

• Pike County Historical Society, $10,000
• Wallenpaupack Historical Society, archives and records management, $2,500

Wayne

• Wayne County Historical Society, $10,000

“In an era of increasingly visual and participatory learning, museums and historical organizations offer experiences that will change the lives of the next generation,” said Barbara Franco, executive director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.  “Making sure that Pennsylvania’s historical and cultural institutions continue to be supported through public funding and private philanthropy has never been more important.”

PHMC, the official history agency of the commonwealth, was created in 1945 to assist non-profit organizations and local governments with the collection, conservation, and interpretation of Pennsylvania’s heritage. The grant awards represent support for eligible organizations in the following areas:

• General operating support for museums and county historical societies;
• History and museum project grants in the following categories:
• Archives and records management;
• Collections management;
• Educational, local, and public history;
• Historic preservation; and
• Organizational development.