Grants for up to 50% reimbursement are available to support the manufacture of approved state historical markers.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approves historical marker nominations annually based upon the review of an independent panel of experts. Please see " Nominating a State Historical Marker."

Availability of Funds. Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Funding is based on the state fiscal year, July through June.

Who May Apply
Any nonprofit organization or public agency that wishes to support a state historical marker previously approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and that meets the eligibility requirements may apply for funding. The following are some of the types of organizations that are eligible to apply for grants.

• Colleges and universities
• Community groups
• Heritage organizations
• Historical societies
• Libraries (public and private)
• Local governments
• Museums
• Schools and school districts
• Other nonprofit organizations

Who May Not Apply
Organizations and others that are not eligible to apply for funding for an approved state historical marker include:

• Museums and historic sites operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission;
• For profit organizations; and
• Individuals.

Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a Historical Marker Grant, an organization must meet the following requirement:

• Must have tax exempt status (501(c)(3)) with the Internal Revenue Service or be an entity of local government.

General Conditions
There are a number of general conditions for Historical Marker Grants.

• Only applicants who have an approved historical marker are eligible for funding.
• Grants are generally awarded as 50% reimbursement for costs of manufacture.
• Grant awards for city markers generally will not exceed $675.
• Grant awards for roadside markers generally will not exceed $900.
• The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission maintains the right of final edit for all text.
• The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission maintains ownership of the historical marker and will assume responsibility for maintaining the marker once it is installed.

Ineligible Activities
Historical Marker Grants may not be used to fund the following:

• Manufacturing costs of unofficial or local historical markers;
• Manufacturing costs of federal historical markers associated with the National Register of Historic Places or other federal programs; and
• Programmatic costs associated with installation and dedication ceremonies. (Local History Grants may be used to fund these types of activities.)

Nominating a State Historical Marker
Grants are only available for approved historical markers. While grants are only made to nonprofit organizations and public agencies, any type of organization and individuals may nominate a historical marker.

Historical marker nomination submission deadlines may be obtained by consulting directly with the program staff.

Historical Marker Nomination Forms may be obtained by writing to:

Historical Marker Program
Bureau for Historic Preservation
Commonwealth Keystone Building, 2nd Floor
400 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0093

If your nomination is approved, you will be notified and mailed a Historical Marker Grant Application at that time. This application must be filled out and returned directly to the address noted above.

Funding is allocated as applications are returned and up to the limits of available funds.

Maximum Number of Awards
Submission of a Historical Marker Nomination Form and, if approved, a Historical Marker Grant Application does not restrict applicants from applying for other grants from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Eligible applicants may also apply for and may receive under the Pennsylvania History and Museum Grant Program one other Project Grant, one type of General Operating Support Grant and a Technical Assistance Grant.

Applicants meeting the relevant eligibility requirements may apply for and may receive one grant under the Certified Local Government Grant Program and one grant under the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program.

Please take the time to read the material on this website to determine if you are eligible to receive other grants from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Marker Maintenance Schedule

For PHMC Marker Maintenance Contractor. Current schedule for marker maintenance is available for download as pdf.