The PA State Historic Preservation Office has begun outreach and strategic preparations for Pennsylvania’s next official statewide historic preservation plan. Pennsylvania’s current plan will expire at the end of 2017.  

The National Historic Preservation Act requires that state historic preservation offices develop and maintain statewide plans, which are intended to guide local, regional and statewide preservation efforts over a period of time.

This comprehensive plan defines the role of historic preservation in sustaining and revitalizing Pennsylvania communities. 

In Pennsylvania, the PA SHPO is responsible for guiding the development of such a plan, securing its approval from the National Park Service and distributing the plan as a resource for agencies, organizations, municipalities and the public.​ 

Under the direction the PA Historical and Museum Commission, the​ PA SHPO coordinates state and federal historic and preservation programs including the National Register of Historic Places, state and federal tax credits and review of state and federal projects for their impact on historic resources. 

The statewide historic preservation plan isn’t the PA SHPO’s plan, it is Pennsylvania’s plan. Public engagement is essential to the planning process. 

Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in PA SHPO's “Community Connections: Planning for Preservation in Pennsylvania” survey online.

The results of the survey will help identify issues and create a shared vision for the future of Pennsylvania’s historic communities and places.

When completed and placed into action in 2018, this new plan will incorporate public input taken from the “Community Connections: Planning for Preservation in Pennsylvania” survey, regional public forums and focus groups. 

In addition, the strategy will benefit from a collaboration of many partners including Preservation PA, heritage areas and other state agencies serving on the State Plan Take Force. 

For more information on historic preservation efforts and funding opportunities, visit the PA Historical and Museum Commission website.

8/15/2016