The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) needs YOUR help to shape its work plan! Please click the link below and spend a few minutes to share your preservation priorities and what Pennsylvania place is most special to you.
Roadside architecture? Historic sites? Archaeological sites? Cemeteries? Sacred Places? Vibrant downtown? What are your priorities?
Tell them what matters to you — take the survey! (Share with friends and social media.)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PAPreservationPlan2024
The National Historic Preservation Act requires state historic preservation offices to develop and maintain statewide plans. These plans guide local, regional, and statewide preservation efforts over a period of time.
In Pennsylvania, the PA SHPO is responsible for guiding the development of such a plan, securing its approval from the National Park Service, and distributing the plan as a resource for stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, organizations, municipalities, and the public. The development of the plan is a collaborative effort; your feedback is important to define the role of historic preservation in sustaining and revitalizing the Commonwealth’s diverse communities.
Under the direction the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC), the PA SHPO coordinates state and federal historic and preservation programs, including the National Register of Historic Places, state and federal tax credits, and review of state and federal projects for their impact on historic resources.
The SHPO creates a new historic preservation plan every five years, based on public feedback, to help guide planning and decision making about the older and historic places that matter to Pennsylvanians. The plan provides a framework of activities and goals that will help Pennsylvanians better understand historic preservation and its benefits; appreciate their own histories and shared heritage as told through historic places; and balance history, economics and development to manage change within their communities.
The information that you and others provide to this survey will inform the final statewide plan and create the foundation for the next steps in the process. Click here to learn more about the survey and preservation planning.
Did you know?
The State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) [pro tip: referred to “in the biz” as the “Shpo” or “Shippo”] plays a crucial role in the preservation of Pennsylvania’s old and historic places.
The PA SHPO is part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). The PHMC is the Commonwealth’s official history agency, and the Executive Director is designated as the State Historic Preservation Officer. Oversight of the PHMC is provided by a board of Commissioners appointed by the Governor.
The SHPO administers the state’s historic preservation program as authorized by the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania History Code, the Pennsylvania Historic District Act, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and various other federal laws and regulations.
The PA SHPO uses its resources to educate, encourage and enable Pennsylvanians to value and preserve Pennsylvania’s history and culture. Its role is to identify, promote and protect the architectural and archaeological resources of the commonwealth.
It works with state and federal agencies, individuals, communities, and local governments to balance development needs with the retention, reuse and preservation of Pennsylvania’s priceless heritage.
Through partnerships, the SPHO assists communities in the process of incorporating preservation strategies into development goals that balance their history with economic development and growth.
You can check out the 2018-2023 PA preservation plan at this link: https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/Preservation-Plan/Pages/default.aspx
[Please note: Preservation Pennsylvania is a nonprofit membership organization that advocates statewide for preservation-positive policies. Preservation Pennsylvania does not receive operational funding from, nor is a part of, the PA SHPO or PHMC. Your membership dues and donations provide the support for the work we do.]