West Chester, PA (September 24, 2024) – Seven Chester County historic organizations have been awarded more than $100,000 in total state funding through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
The grants, which come through the PHMC’s Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program, support the general operations of eligible museums and official county historical societies. They are as follows:
- $10,000 for the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center.
- $28,400 for the Chester County History Center.
- $13,100 for the Graystone Society, Inc.
- $7,500 for the Historic Sugartown, Inc.
- $27,000 for the Historic Yellow Springs.
- $4,000 for the Oxford Area Historical Association.
- $14,000 for the Wharton Esherick Museum.
“Our region is home to a rich history – one that predates the founding of our nation. It is alive in our local landmarks, historical places, cultural artifacts, and stories. It’s part of who we are. These funds will ensure that our history is explored, interpreted, shared, and understood by future generations,” Comitta said. “We thank the PHMC for this support and appreciate all of our local historians, historical groups, supporters, and volunteers for their ongoing work to preserve the past while looking to the future.”
The grant funding comes as part of almost $4 million in total Cultural and Historical Support Grants awarded to 173 eligible museums and official county historical societies from 59 counties across the Commonwealth. According to PHMC, this is an increase over previous years by $2 million to better benefit Pennsylvania’s historical resources.
Under the program, eligible museums must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services), at least one full-time professional staff person (or approved equivalent), and not be supported by other state agency funding programs.
Grants are awarded using a formula based on a percentage of the organization’s annual operating budget with a maximum grant of $62,000 and a minimum grant of $4,000
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