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PA Historical & Museum Commission @PHMC

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

Joined April 2008
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Happy #FlagDay! The holiday observes the adoption of our nation's flag on June 14, 1777. On June 14, 1937 - exactly 160 years later - PA becomes the 1st state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday. State #Archives image shows a 13-star flag on display at Valley Forge National Historical Park. - pastatearchives.com
State Archives image shows a 13-star flag on display at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

ALT State Archives image shows a 13-star flag on display at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

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This flag, on display in the "Revolutionary Things: Objects from the Collection" exhibit @StateMuseumPA , belonged to the First Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line between 1776 and 1783. That regiment witnessed some of the most crucial points of the war for American Independence, including the night Washington crossed the Delaware River in 1776 and the surrender of the British at Yorktown in 1781. ➡️ bit.ly/4eoLK08 The flag, better known as the Thompson Rifle Battalion Flag, is a testament to a defining moment in American history, as few regimental standards survive the ravages of time. The motto painted on the flag “I refuse to be subjugated” is an appropriate choice. PHMC has owned the flag since 1906. #America205PA, #PATreasures, #PA250
Among the most important of commonwealth-owned relics are the Revolutionary War–era flags that were carried by Pennsylvania regiments during the war. The State Museum is fortunate to have in its collection the 1st Continental Regiment flag, better known as the Thompson Rifle Battalion Flag, or Thompson Flag.

ALT Among the most important of commonwealth-owned relics are the Revolutionary War–era flags that were carried by Pennsylvania regiments during the war. The State Museum is fortunate to have in its collection the 1st Continental Regiment flag, better known as the Thompson Rifle Battalion Flag, or Thompson Flag.

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.@PHMC has awarded 38 Keystone Historic Preservation Grants grants! Matching state funds will revitalize local landmarks and boost municipal planning, supporting community preservation projects as part of Pennsylvania’s #America250PA celebrations. - bit.ly/4gfytbA
Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Awards 38 Keystone Historic Preservation Grants

ALT Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Awards 38 Keystone Historic Preservation Grants
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#DidYouKnow? PA SHPO funds research on underrepresented resources. - bit.ly/4uyXeCZ This year, the office is funding two studies: - Continuing research on ethnic communities and resources in southwestern PA - Recreational resources in the Poconos. This research helps us to continue deepening the stories we tell & the places we protect.
https://pahistoricpreservation.com/the-power-mpdfs-african-american-churches-and-cemeteries-pennsylvania/

ALT https://pahistoricpreservation.com/the-power-mpdfs-african-american-churches-and-cemeteries-pennsylvania/
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James Forten is not the most well-known of Revolutionary War–era patriots. Forten’s story is a case study in early American conflicts: independence and slavery, democracy and disenfranchisement, entrepreneurship and economic depression. He was a free Black resident of Philadelphia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries who ran a sailmaking shop while presiding over debates of African American resettlement in West Africa and strategic approaches to resist legislative abuses from the state assembly. One obituary memorialized him as “a prodigy,” calling him “one of the noblest men that ever trod upon the earth.” ➡️bit.ly/4v4uT8X 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
James Forten, circa 1818. It is unknown who painted this watercolor profile portrait of Forten, but some historians speculate that it may have been created by African American painter Robert Douglass Jr., who was a friend of the Forten family in Philadelphia.

ALT James Forten, circa 1818. It is unknown who painted this watercolor profile portrait of Forten, but some historians speculate that it may have been created by African American painter Robert Douglass Jr., who was a friend of the Forten family in Philadelphia.
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Preservation Education, Training & Opportunities: June 2026 - mailchi.mp/pahistoricpreserv…
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#OnThisDay - On June 9, 1869, Charles Elmer Hires sold his 1st root beer beverage in Philadelphia. During the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, Hires Root Beer attracted a large following of loyal customers. The Hires Root Beer brand would go on to become one of the longest, continuously soft drinks sold in our nation's history. The State #Archives preserves a collection of Hires Root Beer trade cards.
Hires Root Beer

ALT Hires Root Beer
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Congratulations! The U.S. Brig Niagara is officially underway! On Saturday, the Commonwealth’s flagship cast off her lines at Bristol Marine’s Sample’s Shipyard, marking the successful completion of her year-long restoration and refit. ➡️ bit.ly/3RUStpY The vessel is currently navigating the 2,000-nautical-mile transit via the North Atlantic Ocean and the St. Lawrence Seaway. She is scheduled to arrive at her homeport at the Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara for a homecoming celebration July 2-5 — perfectly timing her historic return to kick off Erie’s Independence Day weekend celebrations. #America250PA, #PA250
U.S. Brig Niagara Underway

ALT U.S. Brig Niagara Underway

U.S. Brig Niagara Underway

ALT U.S. Brig Niagara Underway
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It's #NationalBooneDay! Daniel Boone’s personality took shape during a boyhood not spent in Kentucky, but in Berks County’s Oley Valley. By tradition, he is an American hero. By birth, he is a Pennsylvanian. He is Daniel Boone. - paheritage.wpengine.com/arti…
Daniel Boone Homestead

ALT Daniel Boone Homestead

Daniel Boone Homestead

ALT Daniel Boone Homestead
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It's #NationalTrailsDay! Spend your weekend exploring the Pennsylvania Trails of History! Which site is your favorite? ➡️ patrailsofhistory.com
Explore the PA Trails of History

ALT Explore the PA Trails of History

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Today is #NationalCheeseDay! Whether smeared on a bagel, baked into cheesecake, or stuffed in peppers, Philadelphia Cream Cheese is found in kitchens across the nation and throughout the world. - bit.ly/4ugCJuS
Philadelphia Cream Cheese: The Pennsylvania Story

ALT Philadelphia Cream Cheese: The Pennsylvania Story
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Here's a Pennsylvania Treasure that many will know. The Pennsylvania Bicentennial Commission promoted hundreds of Bicentennial celebrations across the Commonwealth. Over the course of the yearlong celebration, the commission organized everything from cross-country wagon trains to local parades and historical reenactments. This Bicentennial Flag is now on display via the "Revolutionary Things: Objects from the Collection" exhibit @StateMuseumPA . ➡️ bit.ly/4dYg5kM #America250PA, #PA250, #PATreasures
Bicentennial Flag 1976

ALT Bicentennial Flag 1976
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PA SHPO's June 2026 Newsletter - mailchi.mp/pahistoricpreserv…
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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 📸! ➡️ bit.ly/43a1ZrJ #Preservation
View northwest towards the Christ Episcopal Church of Reading’s east, primary façade showing ornamented masonry work by master mason Maltzberger.

ALT View northwest towards the Christ Episcopal Church of Reading’s east, primary façade showing ornamented masonry work by master mason Maltzberger.

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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 - bit.ly/4o0VD7D
The Pennsylvania State Archives is excited to announce registration is open for in-person Archives Without Tears training this June at the Somerset Historical Center and Susquehanna University.

ALT The Pennsylvania State Archives is excited to announce registration is open for in-person Archives Without Tears training this June at the Somerset Historical Center and Susquehanna University.
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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 - pastatearchives.com
n a 2018, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order creating the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, the only one in the nation.

ALT n a 2018, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order creating the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, the only one in the nation.

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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 - pastatearchives.com
These men are posing on an uprooted tree that impaled the second floor of an overturned building. This remarkable devastation was caused by the May 31, 1889 Johnstown Flood. This photo is preserved by the Pennsylvania State Archives.

ALT These men are posing on an uprooted tree that impaled the second floor of an overturned building. This remarkable devastation was caused by the May 31, 1889 Johnstown Flood. This photo is preserved by the Pennsylvania State Archives.

This postcard shows a crowd gathered on Main Street in Johnstown near the place where an entire family lost their lives in the 1889 Johnstown Flood. More than 2,000 people were killed by the Great Flood of 1889. This photo is preserved by the Pennsylvania State Archives.

ALT This postcard shows a crowd gathered on Main Street in Johnstown near the place where an entire family lost their lives in the 1889 Johnstown Flood. More than 2,000 people were killed by the Great Flood of 1889. This photo is preserved by the Pennsylvania State Archives.

The State #Archives preserves these images, showing some of the damage in the aftermath of the Great Johnstown Flood.

ALT The State #Archives preserves these images, showing some of the damage in the aftermath of the Great Johnstown Flood.

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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. - bit.ly/4dQdSYJ
Joseph Priestley House

ALT Joseph Priestley House

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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. ➡️bit.ly/4dMc8iX 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
Bible owned by Sgt. James Lamb, c. 1777

ALT Bible owned by Sgt. James Lamb, c. 1777
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