Overview
PHMC's historical marker program captures the stories of people, places, events, and innovations that have affected the lives of Pennsylvanians. Nearly 2,600 cast aluminum markers feature subjects related to the histories of Native Americans, early colonialization, government and politics, athletes, entertainers and artists, movements for freedom and equality, historic industries, commerce, utilities, and a multitude of other noteworthy topics of statewide or national significance.
PHMC is committed to representing and reflecting the experiences of the people and communities it serves. Communities are empowered to recognize the importance of their history through the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Program.
The markers are not intended to be all-encompassing, but to serve as a launching point for the public to pursue self-directed learning should they desire to know more.
The historical marker policy was adopted on September 9, 2020.
Program goals
- Encourage a public-driven program accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities. The public can:
- nominate subjects
- report missing or damaged markers
- request revisions to outdated or inaccurate texts on existing markers
- Establish authentic connections with Pennsylvania’s native ancestral tribes
- Increase markers in underrepresented histories and geographies
Marker criteria
The following criteria for approving state historical markers was adopted by Resolution of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) in September 2020.
A. The nomination is clear and organized and includes thorough documentation (with selected photocopies and bibliographies from reliable primary and secondary sources) and verification of the facts claimed.
B. The person, place, event, organization, or innovation to be marked had a significant impact on its times, and has statewide and/or national, rather than local or regional, historical significance. The significance of the subject, particularly for continuing events and organizations, must be historically established rather than of contemporary interest. PHMC recognizes that continuing scholarship may help validate the subject's impact on its times or its significance from a more recent historical perspective.
C. The subject to be marked has a substantial connection to Pennsylvania.
D. An Historical Marker cannot be approved for a living person. With the exception of Pennsylvania governors and U.S. presidents, subjects must have been deceased for a minimum of five (5) years. The significance of an individual's accomplishments must have had a measurable impact on history and sufficient time has elapsed to evaluate that impact based on credible documentation.
E. Nominations for geographical, topographical, or natural features may be referred to an appropriate federal, state, or local agency.
F. People, places, events, and innovations already marked with existing monuments or markers may receive less favorable consideration for an Historical Marker.
G. Nominated subjects reviewed and disapproved by the Commission three times in succession are not eligible for review panel consideration for a period of three years.
H. Governors of Pennsylvania are approved as the subject of an Historical Marker upon nomination (subject to the criterion in subsection D herein).
I. Historic sites or properties owned by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission are approved as the subject of an Historical Marker upon nomination.
J. Places listed on the National Register of Historic Places and/or recognized as National Historic Landmarks or United Nations World Heritage Sites may be considered for an Historical Marker. These places will not be summarily approved by PHMC for designation because the approval criteria for those designations are different. Nominations for these places are subject to all these Criteria.
K. Places of worship and cemeteries/burial places generally will not be approved unless the nomination demonstrates that the subject meets criteria in subsections B and J.
Celebrating 250
In celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026, PHMC has created themed America250 Historical Marker Trails that explore key places, people, moments, and movements in Pennsylvania’s past.
A new trail will be released every three months throughout 2026 to continue the recognition of Pennsylvania’s place in the history of the nation.
Get more information
Questions
To request use of images, report marker maintenance needs, or for general inquiries, contact ra-phmarkers@pa.gov.
Submission notice
By submitting materials with respect to state or federal historic preservation programs administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), you grant to the PHMC the rights to:
- use the materials for education and promotional purposes and to promote the mission of the PHMC;
- publish the materials on the PHMC website; and
- make the materials available to researchers and scholars.
