Matzie: Nearly $800,000 awarded to preserve historic sites in Beaver, Allegheny counties

Rep. Robert Matzie    June 2, 2021 | 4:46 PM

AMBRIDGE, June 2 – Grant funding of $783,535 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will support projects to preserve and rehabilitate historic sites in Beaver and Allegheny counties, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. 

Matzie, one of the PHMC commissioners who voted today to approve the grants, said they are part of a package of $2.3 million awarded under the Keystone Historic Preservation grant program to more than 50 projects statewide through a competitive selection process.

“Historic sites teach us about our roots in ways textbooks never can, by allowing us to revisit places and retrace paths built by our ancestors,” Matzie said. “Here in Beaver County, part of the funding will lay the groundwork to rehabilitate the Old Economy Ambridge Bicentennial House – one of the first six houses built by the Harmony Society in 1824. Statewide, the grants are going to ensure similar unique landmarks are preserved for future generations.”

Matzie said the grants to Beaver and Allegheny counties include the following:

Beaver County

Ambridge Historic District Economic Development Corp. - $17,950
New Brighton Historical Society - for Preservation Plan at the Irish-Townsend House - $25,000

Allegheny County

Carnegie Library of Homestead - $100,000
City of Pittsburgh - $17,500
Frick Art and Historical Center - $100,000
Hill Community Development Corp. - $100,000
Mt. Lebanon Partnership - $10,000
Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh - $100,000
Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp. - $100,000
Rodef Shalom Congregation - $13,085
Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka - $100,000
Township of Moon - $100,000

Keystone Historic Preservation grants support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources in Pennsylvania to benefit the public and revitalize communities. Funding also helps facilitate municipal planning initiatives and supports construction activities at resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $25,000 for project grants and $5,000 to $100,000 for construction projects. All require a 50/50 cash match.

More information about the grants is available here.