Pennsylvania's Statewide Historic Preservation Plan

Overview

Statewide historic preservation plans are a guide for planning and decision making. Pennsylvania's plan aims to meet the following goals.

While the State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) take the lead in developing the plan, the plan itself is the result of collaboration. The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office directs the Commonwealth’s statewide historic preservation planning process. 

Pennsylvania’s statewide historic preservation plan and the process to develop the plan satisfies PA SHPO’s preservation planning obligations as set forth under the National Historic Preservation Act as amended, and the Pennsylvania History Code.

Pennsylvania's Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, 2025-2035

Historic Preservation: The Keystone of Community (PDF) is Pennsylvania's statewide historic preservation plan for 2025 to 2035.

The plan lays out a framework through its goals and objectives for Pennsylvania to continue making progress through historic preservation. This plan is written to help organizations, individuals, agencies, and governments learn about Pennsylvania’s historic resources and archaeological sites and become better stewards of our shared history and historic places. These audiences are encouraged to adopt and implement the plan—in whole or in part—to reach their goals and objectives.

The plan includes:

• Brief introduction to statewide historic preservation planning,  
• Overview of PHMC and PA SHPO as the Commonwealth's official history and historic preservation agency,
• Summary of Pennsylvania's history and development,
• Chronology of Pennsylvania's preservation achievements,
• Review of progress under previous statewide historic preservation plan, 
• Discussion of SOAR (Survey, Outreach, Analysis, and Results) statewide planning process for Historic Preservation: The Keystone of Community, 
• Presentation of SOAR action agenda, including Areas of Importance and goals, objectives, and actions to make progress, and
• Photographs of 50 PA Places every Pennsylvanian should know.

Goals of the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan

The State Historic Preservation Plan sets goals and objectives for the next ten years. Actions for each goal and objectives are included in the plan.

50 PA places

Pennsylvanians have deep connections to their history and the historic places that represent their communities, past and present. Often, these places and what they represent are significant parts of individual and community identities. They also tell the story of Pennsylvania, from the Commonwealth’s early beginnings to the 21st century.

We asked Pennsylvanians to help us select 50 places that every Pennsylvanian should know. The resulting list and map represents historic places across the following eras: 

• Pre-contact (green)
• 18th century (red) 
• 19th century (dark blue)
• 20th century (light blue)
• 21st century (purple)

Map of featured historic sites

Resources

Supporting materials

The following materials are supporting documents referenced in the statewide plan:

• Penn State Lion Poll – Statewide Plan Methodology Report (PDF)
• Penn State Lion Poll – Statewide Plan Results Report (PDF)
• Statewide Plan Public Survey Results (PDF)
• Statewide Plan Themes & Issues (PDF)

Fact sheets and FAQs

• Statewide Plan FAQs (PDF)
• Statewide Plan Fast Facts (PDF)
• National Park Service – Statewide Planning

Regional summaries

Pennsylvania was divided into nine regions to assist with plan engagement, outreach, and data analysis. Summaries for each region provide a breakdown of demographic data, assessment of cultural resources, and regional survey results.

Questions?

For more information about Pennsylvania’s statewide historic preservation plan or the planning process, contact Shelby Splain, Survey and Education Supervisor, at ssplain@pa.gov.