PENNSYLVANIA — Governor Josh Shapiro, along with officials from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil, inaugurated the new Pennsylvania State Archives building at 1681 N. Sixth Street in Harrisburg on Friday. The state-of-the-art facility will officially open to the public at 9:00 am on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
The new archives building is a testament to the dedication of state archivists, who tirelessly work to preserve Pennsylvania’s historic treasures. “Understanding our history is key to determining the path forward,” said Governor Shapiro. He emphasized the role these archives play in protecting the Commonwealth’s treasures and their importance for the public’s usage.
The Pennsylvania State Archives, a part of PHMC, is responsible for collecting, preserving, and providing access to the permanently valuable public records of the Commonwealth. It pays particular attention to the records of state government and also collects papers of private citizens and organizations relevant to Pennsylvania’s history.
Visitors to the new building can use public computers to research their family history with free access to Ancestry.com. They can view digital records, interact with Digital Gateway touch screens to see selected documents and videos, or browse the library of books related to Pennsylvania’s history. The resources available enable visitors to research the history of their family, town, or county, explore area maps, or access records, maps, and photographs about Pennsylvania’s development.
Andrea Lowery, PHMC Executive Director, expressed her honor in welcoming Pennsylvanians to this new facility, noting it as a fitting home for the treasures entrusted to them.
The Archives preserves historic documents like the original 1681 Charter granted by King Charles II to William Penn and the 1780 Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery, along with more recent records. The new building houses the Commonwealth’s archival collections, which include over 250 million documents preserved by PHMC for all Pennsylvanians.
The construction of the facility began in May 2020 and concluded this past summer. With a cost of $75 million, the new 145,000-square-foot structure replaces the old building at Third and Forster streets. Built in 1965, the previous building lacked adequate fire suppression and environmental systems to protect the Commonwealth’s most valuable documents. The new building addresses these issues, providing a safe and modern space for Pennsylvania’s historic records.
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