Matzie: Nearly $210,000 in funding to support region’s museums, county historic societies

Rep. Robert Matzie    December 2, 2020

AMBRIDGE, Dec. 2 – State grant funding of $209,833 will help boost operations for museums and historical societies in Beaver and Allegheny counties as they work to preserve and showcase the region’s unique past, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. 

Matzie, who serves on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, voted today to approve the grants as part of a package of nearly $2 million to 155 museums and county historical societies statewide.

“Our region has an incredibly rich culture and history, and our museums and historical societies are the bridges that keep us connected to that rich past through colorful displays and events,” Matzie said. Many have been hit hard during the pandemic, as restrictions on events and gatherings have drained resources. Securing this funding is going to help ensure they are around to keep telling our history to future generations.”

Matzie said the regional grants include the following:

Allegheny County

Braddock’s Battlefield History Center - $4,000

Carnegie Museum of Natural History & Carnegie Science Center - $40,000

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh - $40,000

Frick Art & Historical Center - $40,000

Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania - $40,000

The Holocaust Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh - $8,462

Rivers of Steel – Steel Industry Heritage Corporation - $33,371

Beaver County

Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation - $4,000

The grants are administered by PHMC under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program and fund the operations of eligible museums and county historical societies that are not supported by other state agency funding programs. An eligible museum must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services) and at least one full-time professional staff person (or approved equivalent).

More information about the grants is available here.