About Us
Message from the President
Memorandum / Alert to the Membership
I would like to ask for your attention and support at a critical time when major decisions are being made about the future of Pennsylvania's remarkable history and heritage.
In the midst of the worst economic crisis witnessed in decades, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is understandably making hard choices about statewide budget reductions for the next fiscal year beginning July 1. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), the state agency which the Heritage Society supports, has already planned for major cuts (nearly $2 million) proposed by Governor Edward G. Rendell in his budget for 2009-10 and echoed in a budget passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. These cuts would be extremely difficult, but PHMC has significantly tightened its belt and is prepared to navigate under these circumstances.
But a much more devastating scenario would unfold if the budget recently adopted by the Pennsylvania Senate becomes reality. Senate Bill 850 would have a crushing effect on the programs of PHMC, jeopardizing the historical assets held in trust for the people of Pennsylvania. The bill's additional reduction of $4,457,000, added to the reductions proposed in the Governor's Budget, would represent a 25% cut in PHMC funding. 118 positions or 38% of PHMC staff would be lost.
Adoption of the Senate's budget would mean elimination or severe curtailment of almost all PHMC programs. This would include the closure of all historic sites; reduced hours at The State Museum and State Archives; suspension of the historical marker program; elimination of all grants to museums, historical societies, and preservation projects, as well as deferred maintenance of our irreplaceable national treasures.
To you as a Heritage Society member, this could mean limited or no access to our beloved historic sites and museums and an adverse effect on the production of Pennsylvania Heritage magazine, co-published by PHMC and the Heritage Society.
Now more than ever, we need your voices - and your support in donations and membership - to advocate for these vital programs. Please contact your respective legislators at your earliest convenience to express your concern over these threats to our ability to preserve Pennsylvania's story and to share it with future generations.
Sincerely,
Rhonda R. Cohen
President