The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is accepting applications for 2006 Historic Preservation Certified Local Government Grants which help teach people about ways to preserve local history. Applications are due January 13.

Grant money can be used to evaluate a municipality's historic and archaeological resources; to prepare nominations for the National Register of Historic Places; to develop documentation to designate additional municipal historic districts or to enlarge a previously designated municipal historic district; to offer historic preservation training for Certified Local Government review board or commission members and staff; to develop and publish brochures or educational materials that explain municipal historic preservation responsibilities, activities, programs or local regulatory procedures; and to develop a municipal historic preservation plan.

Certified local governments can apply for grants in the following categories: Cultural Resource Survey; National Register Nominations; Technical and Planning Assistance; Educational and Interpretative Programs; Staffing and Training; and Pooling and Third Party Administration.

To be considered, projects should take place between August 1, 2006, and July 31, 2007.

To be certified, local governments must maintain a historic preservation commission, survey local historic properties, enforce local preservation laws and satisfy other qualifications. For information on how to become a certified local government, or to discuss the program in detail, contact Michel R. Lefevre at 717-787-0771.

12/30/2005