HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) invites Pennsylvanians to contribute their photographs of historic places to illustrate and promote the 2012–2017 Preservation Plan for Pennsylvania.
Through the “This is MY HISTORY” photo campaign, citizens can submit photographs of places that are significant to them and their community. Photo submissions can include archaeological excavations, historic or rural landscapes, downtown streetscapes, residential neighborhoods, and adaptive re-use of historic buildings and structures.
But success stories are not the whole picture, as contributors may also send photos of historic resources that have been lost to neglect or are slated for demolition.
Participants can email photos along with the name of the site and any comments they wish to share to papreservethis@yahoo.com. Photos will be reviewed and shared at http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrailsofhistory/collections/72157627179319880/. Photos can be submitted anytime through Dec. 31, 2011, however, only submissions received by Oct. 31 will be considered for inclusion in the commonwealth’s official preservation plan.
Every five years, PHMC’s Bureau for Historic Preservation is required by the National Park Service to develop a comprehensive preservation plan that:
- Meets the preservation circumstances of the state;
- Achieves broad-based public and professional involvement;
- Takes into consideration issues affecting the broad spectrum of historic and cultural resources within the state;
- Is based on the analyses of resource data and user needs; and
- Encourages the consideration of historic preservation concerns within broader planning environments at federal, state and local levels.
PHMC has been holding public meetings throughout the state to gain public input in the process. The preservation plan will be released early in 2012.
More information about the preservation planning process and the photo campaign is available at www.phmc.state.pa.us. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.