HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) has introduced an ambitious new framework to preserve the Commonwealth’s historic treasures over the next ten years. Titled Historic Preservation: The Keystone of Community, the plan is designed to guide municipalities, organizations, and citizens in protecting and revitalizing Pennsylvania’s rich historical sites while fostering sustainable development.
This strategic plan, effective from 2025 through 2035, was the result of a year-long collaborative effort. PA SHPO engaged with communities statewide through online surveys, listening sessions, and direct conversations, ensuring input from a wide range of Pennsylvanians. As a result, ten areas of importance and three goals emerged, providing a focused roadmap for statewide preservation efforts.
Among the key areas outlined are increasing public access to preservation resources, pursuing environmentally sustainable approaches, leveraging economic opportunities tied to historic sites, and expanding education and workforce development in preservation trades. Special emphasis is placed on building strong, connected communities around historic places and promoting a deeper appreciation for the state’s shared heritage.
“This plan serves as a critical resource for protecting the places that tell Pennsylvania’s story,” PA SHPO representatives noted while highlighting its ability to balance preservation with modern economic growth needs.
The plan’s imagery, featuring 50 historic locations identified by Pennsylvanians, reinforces the vibrant stories and enduring significance these places hold for their communities. Reflecting the diversity of historic sites across the Commonwealth, the visuals aim to inspire a connection to the heritage that shapes Pennsylvania’s identity.
PA SHPO, operating as part of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC), will oversee the implementation of the plan. The agency is responsible for securing the plan’s approval from the National Park Service and ensuring its accessibility as a resource for public and private entities engaged in preservation work.
The launch of this plan reflects a larger commitment to integrating historic preservation into Pennsylvania’s broader goals of economic development, environmental sustainability, and community building. Its framework stresses collaboration across sectors and offers strategies to confront challenges such as climate change and workforce shortages.
By fostering a shared commitment to preserving the past, Historic Preservation: The Keystone of Community aims to ensure that Pennsylvania’s rich heritage remains a vital part of its future. The plan is readily available to the public to support anyone involved in safeguarding the Commonwealth’s historic fabric.
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