Preserving Museums & History Programs

Petition for Pennsylvania Lawmakers to Support Cultural and Educational Institutions in the Commonwealth through the COVID-19 Emergency Response & Recovery 

At the Spring 2020 Pennsylvania Historical Association council meeting, members discussed with concern the growing financial challenges facing historical and cultural institutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the CARES Act funding that Governor Tom Wolf has recently made available will aid cultural organizations, additional funding will be needed to sustain museums, archives, and college programs in the humanities as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate.

The PHA officers have signed and mailed a letter urging key elected officials in the Pennsylvania legislature and executive branch to:

• Protect funding for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education;
• Address the financial emergencies of our many private, four-year universities serving students and their local communities throughout the state;
• And increase allocation of funds as well as explore additional measures to support the Commonwealth’s historical and cultural institutions.

We invite members and friends of the PHA to co-sign the petition, now available online. The petition will remain open through Fall 2020 and a follow-up will be sent to the elected officials in advance of the budget sessions for 2021-22. Sign the petition today!