Harrisburg, PA — As Pennsylvania continues to welcome millions of visitors for the 2026 Semiquincentennial celebrations, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) is conducting its cyclical maintenance of historical markers across eastern Pennsylvania.
PHMC is responsible for maintaining more than 2,500 historical markers across the Commonwealth. Each year, five to seven counties are selected for routine cyclical maintenance. For the current cycle, the following counties are undergoing marker maintenance:
- Berks County
- Chester County
- Northampton County
- Philadelphia County
Residents in Philadelphia and the surrounding region may notice that several familiar blue and gold historical markers are temporarily absent from their posts. PHMC wants to assure the public that these markers have not been permanently removed. They have been carefully uninstalled and transported in batches to an off-site facility.
PHMC works with a small business contractor to perform this vital restoration work, which includes welding, structural repairs, sandblasting, and applying a fresh coat of paint. Because the markers are restored in batches to ensure high-quality craftsmanship, it can take several weeks before a specific marker is reinstalled.
"Pennsylvania’s Historical Markers are vital storytelling tools that reflect the diverse and vibrant history of our communities," said Andrea MacDonald, Director of the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office. "We are dedicated to maintaining these markers to ensure they remain pristine and legible for visitors and future generations. We are deeply committed to preserving these stories, and these specific markers will be reinstalled as soon as their structural and cosmetic refurbishment is complete."
To keep communities informed during this restoration cycle, the empty posts are left in place, and a yellow vinyl tag is attached to indicate that the marker was officially removed for maintenance.
Please visit our website for more information on the Historical Marker maintenance schedule.
For specific questions or concerns regarding a marker in your neighborhood, please contact the Historical Marker Program at ra-phmarkers@pa.gov.
About the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Learn more by visiting PHMC online or following us on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn.