The World War II Stuart Tank, Father of the American Navy John Barry, world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra Conductor Leopold Stokowski and Fred McFeely Rogers, creator and host of long-running PBS program “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” are among the subjects of the 21 new state historical markers approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The new markers, selected from 57 applications, will be added to the nearly 2,300 familiar blue-with-gold-lettering signs along roads and streets throughout Pennsylvania.

Four of the markers are related to Pennsylvania’s environmental and energy history—

— Humphrey Marshall, West Bradford Township, Chester County: Considered the Father of American Dendrology, Marshall wrote the first and definitive book on American trees and shrubs in 1785.  The book was widely cited in Europe.  He also cultivated many American species and exported them to European gardens, including that of Louis XVI of France and King George of England.

— Ross Leffler School of Conservation, Brockway, Jefferson County: It is the site of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's original training center for Game Protectors and Wildlife Conservation Officers.  Claimed to be the first in the nation, this facility was established in 1931, and became a model for other states.

— Sheppton Mine Disaster and Rescue, Sheppton, Schuylkill County: Rescue efforts as a result of a mine cave-in utilized, for the first time, a borehole technique that has become ubiquitous worldwide for similar mine disasters.  The same technique was used at Quecreek and Chile in recent decades.  The event prompted revisions to state mining regulations and to the federal Coal Mine Safety Act.

— George W. Crawford, Emlenton, Venango County: A native of Emlenton, Pa., and pioneer in natural gas production, transmission and distribution.  Crawford established the Columbia Gas & Electric Corp. in 1926, a model and successful multi-state gas utility, and in the 1930s the largest in the world.

Since 1946 PHMC’s historical markers have chronicled the people, places and events that have affected the lives of Pennsylvanians over the centuries. The signs feature subjects such as Native Americans and settlers, government and politics, athletes, entertainers, artists, struggles for freedom and equality, factories and businesses and a multitude of noteworthy topics.

Nominations for historical markers may be submitted by any individual or organization and are evaluated by a panel of independent experts from throughout the state and approved by the agency’s commissioners.

More information, visit PHMC’s Historical Marker Program webpage.

3/10/2014