Harkins, Merski: Nearly $67K awarded for Erie historical preservation projects

Will include lighthouse repairs, funding to Mercyhurst, city

ERIE, June 7 – Three Erie County historic preservation projects are receiving nearly $67,000 in funding from the state Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today.

The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said that funding from the Keystone Historic Preservation grant program includes $25,000 apiece to Mercyhurst University and the city of Erie and $17,250 to the Presque Isle Light Station organization for lighthouse repairs.

"The Erie Land Lighthouse needs substantial repairs to address decay caused by moisture intrusion, and immediate action is needed to pervent future deterioration," Harkins said. "This new funding is going to allow us to address this problem and preserve this unique landmark for future generations."

Merski said, “The Mercyhurst campus is filled with exquisite architecture, including Gothic Revival buildings dating to the school’s founding in 1926. Securing this funding will support the work needed to nominate this beautiful campus for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, so the school can benefit from the advantages this listing provides.”

The lawmakers said the grant to the city would support its efforts to complete a comprehensive survey identifying all historic resources, including those potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Keystone Historic Preservation Grants provide funding to support projects that identify, preserve, promote, and protect historic and archaeological resources in Pennsylvania to benefit the public and revitalize communities. Funding also supports municipal planning initiatives that focus on historic resources or may be used to meet building or community specific planning goals. The program also supports construction activities at resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. 

These grants receive funding from the Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund, which is supported annually from a portion of the state realty transfer tax revenue.