PA Historical & Museum Commission

The PA Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

The interior restoration work Christ Episcopal Church of Reading is nothing short of amazing! The work was carefully executed & highlighted the use of traditional historic materials and methods. Check out the photos 📸! ➡️ https://t.co/GT9HiAwy1P

#Preservation

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

You still have time to register for the Archives Without Tears training sessions later this month at The Somerset Historical Center and Susquehanna University. Learn about caring for family or community materials. Receive practical advice & learn basic archival principles. #Archives - https://t.co/rQF4iXwAlq

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

June is #PrideMonth. In a 2018, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order creating the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, the only one in the nation. This Advisory Commission continues to spread awareness & increase access to programs and services provided by the Commonwealth that benefit every-day Pennsylvanians. #Archives - https://t.co/GNQSfN2XOt

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

On May 31, 1889, Johnstown, Pa. suffered a catastrophic flood following the rupture of the South Fork Dam. Heavy rains sent water & debris rushing out of the dam, toward Johnstown. More than 2,000 people perished in the Great Johnstown Flood, resulting in one of the largest losses of civilian life in U.S. history. The State #Archives preserves these images, showing the damage left in the aftermath of the flood. #OnThisDay - https://t.co/GNQSfN2XOt

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

These #videos will take you behind the scenes of the Joseph Priestley House Museum. Priestley - scientist, theologian & educator - is best known as the man who discovered oxygen. - https://t.co/nqmTWVwWYx

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Sgt. James Lamb of the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment carried this Old and New Testament Bible at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778. Brandywine Battlefield now preserves this Bible. ➡️https://t.co/o8ZdpXzdfN

A native of Lancaster and Cumberland counties, Lamb served with Capt. Grier's Company A, First Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. The regiment witnessed some of the most key campaigns of the Revolutionary War, including Benedict Arnold's siege of Quebec, Ticonderoga, Valley Forge, Monmouth and Brandywine.

The loss at Brandywine and Washington's inability to defend Philadelphia resulted in the retreat and encampment at Valley Forge during the harsh winter of 1777 and 1778. #America250PA, #PA250, #PATreasures

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

At the start of the American Revolution, no formal relations existed between the colonies and Spain. Still, Spain not only provided the colonists with military and financial assistance, but hurried to send to the Continental Congress diplomatic representatives as what we now call “observers.” Eventually, José de Jáudenes and José de Viar became the Spanish representatives to the colonies, with the title of “Commissioners.” - https://t.co/c5oSeToq8u
As America approaches its 250th birthday, PHMC is sharing articles from "Pennsylvania Heritage" magazine that lay out the monumental part Pennsylvania played in the founding of our nation. #America250PA, #PA250

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Thanks for the Shout-Out! Drake Well Museum and Park & Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania made this @familyvacayus list of "13 Pennsylvania Museums That May Be Small but Leave a Big Impression." Are these @PHMC favorites on your #summer go-to list? ➡️ https://t.co/sXrmyCYvFU

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Lincoln Cemetery is a sacred archive. It holds the people who carried Black Harrisburg through the 19th & 20th centuries, even when the neighborhoods they built were demolished or erased. Discover the story of the Lincoln Cemetery and Saving Our Ancestors Legacy (SOAL), a 2025 Community Initiative Award winner. - https://t.co/zf13OZLtPL

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Many Pennsylvanians know the story of Centralia. On May 27, 1962, a fire was ignited to clear a local dump. Researchers believe those flames sparked an underground coal seam fire. Most of the residents have long since moved away and many of the town's buildings have been razed. This image, preserved by the State #Archives, depicts Centralia's town center in 1986. Multiple buildings in the photo are shown to be boarded up. - https://t.co/qqzS5W0Gqf

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Happy Birthday to marine biologist, conservationist & author Rachel Carson! Born May 27, 1907 in Springdale, Pa., Carson catalyzed the global environmental movement with her 1962 book "Silent Spring." This 1995 press release, preserved by the State #Archives, mentions commemorating Earth Day with the naming of the Department of Environmental Resources building as the Rachel Carson State Office Building. - https://t.co/GNQSfN3vE1

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

#DeadlineAlert! Don't miss this opportunity for this Museum Educator position at Old Economy Village! - https://t.co/9Jhx5dPMqW

Play a lead role in the development, implementation & promotion of educational programs. This is your chance to present interactive tours, coordinate hands-on workshops & assisting with school field trips and special events. Application period ends at 11:59 PM Wednesday (5/27). #jobsearch

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

This #MemorialDay, @PHMC honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our nation. They will never be forgotten.

The Pennsylvania State #Archives is now scanning Revolutionary War accounts that date to 1775. This collection (receipts, payment claims, slips for payment and other financial notes) is being rescanned to capture fine details that were previously unreadable on microfilm available to the public. This oversized ledger, pictured below, is a 1777 Muster Roll and Payroll from the #Navy Accounts. #America250PA

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Celebrate #FlagDay at @StateMuseumPA! Join Dr. Aimee Newell as she dives into the origin story of one of the American Revolution’s long-held and most beloved tales. Learn about the real Betsy Ross and how the mythology around the creation of the nation’s first flag grew to what it is today. ⬇️

[State Museum of PA @StateMuseumPA]

Join us on Flag Day as Dr. Aimee Newell discusses the origin story of one of the American Revolution’s long-held and most beloved tales during “Crafting the Myth: Betsy Ross and the Flag.” Museum admission is free for guests registered for the lectures. https://t.co/X33bWukqei

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

On May 10, 1876, more than 100,000 people gathered in Philadelphia for the Centennial Exhibition, or the Centennial Exposition. Over the next six months, the exhibition attracted nearly 10 million visitors - one out of every five Americans. ➡️https://t.co/7vgwHbqUpT

Fairgoers to the Centennial picked up souvenirs to memorialize the experience. American flags were especially popular souvenirs, both the historic 13-star banner and the newer 38-star flag.

Colorado had not yet been admitted to the Union as the 38th state by May 1876, but the flag anticipated the nation's continued expansion. This flag was patented in 1870, even though the 38-star flag was not formally adopted until July 4, 1877. The inscription at the top of this flag, preserved by Drake Well Museum and Park , indicates that it was presented to R.G. Fletcher, a Titusville businessman, at the time of the Centennial. #America250PA, #PA250, #PATreasures

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Happy Birthday! 🎂🎊
Legendary actor Jimmy Stewart, born May 20, 1908 in Indiana County, Pa., entertained audiences in classic movies such as:
📽️“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"
📽️"It's a Wonderful Life"
📽️"The Philadelphia Story"
Stewart served during #WWII & was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985. The State #Archives preserves Stewart's birth certificate. - https://t.co/GNQSfN2XOt

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Connect with more than 30 Pennsylvania state agencies at the Commonwealth Job Fair! Explore opportunities in public service. #JobOpportunity ➡️ https://t.co/gCzwZ7XAFj

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Congratulations again to the First Cambria African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church congregation for taking home a 2025 Community Initiative Award! ➡️ https://t.co/VGnY1uKM5Y

In 2025, First Cambria, the oldest Black church in Cambria County, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. While going through the National Register process, the feedback received from the PA State Historic hashtag#Preservation Office on how to position the church for future success was invaluable. It was the PA SHPO National Register reviewers who explained that an architectural study would be important for identifying ways in which to improve the church. hashtag#PreservationMonth, hashtag#PreservationHappensHere

[PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC]

Join the Archives Without Tears training sessions this June at the The Somerset Historical Center and Susquehanna University. Whether you're curious about caring for family or community materials, a government employee tasked with records storage, a volunteer at a local historical society, or anyone in-between, we invite all to attend. Receive practical advice & learn basic principles of archives. #Archives - https://t.co/TIJnqoFCPz