The PHMC is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Created in 1945, we are responsible for the collection, conservation, and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage, which we accomplish through the Pennsylvania State Archives, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums, the Pennsylvania Trails of History, the Bureau for Historic Preservation, and the Bureau of Management Services.

The PHMC was created by Act No. 446, approved June 6, 1945, amending the Administrative Code. The legislation that describes the powers and duties of the Commission is Title 37, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (PDF, 104 KB) commonly referred to as& the "Pennsylvania History Code".

Read about funding and operations (PDF, 293 KB) of the PHMC, 2010-2011.

Read about the economic impact of our sites on their communities in 2009.

Our Mission
The PHMC preserves the Commonwealth's memory as a teacher and champion of its heritage for citizens of Pennsylvania and the nation.

Our Vision
The PHMC enriches people's lives by helping them to understand Pennsylvania's past, to appreciate the present, and to embrace the future.

Our History 
Read about the State Museum of Pennsylvania's 100+ year history in  The State Museum of Pennsylvania: A Centennial History 1905-2005 (PDF, 5.97 MB)

Read about the history of our historic sites and museums in the Pennsylvania History section of the Web site.