Each year the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approves new historical markers commemorating significant figures, places, and events in Pennsylvania history. Next year Pennsylvania is getting 45 new plaques, and 13 of those will be in Philly. So what’s the criteria for eligibility and who gets to make a nomination?
Who or What Qualifies
Anyone, even if you’re in middle school, can nominate a person, place, event, organization, or innovation that made a significant impact in its time. Said impact cannot just be hyperlocal or regional, but should have wider implications statewide and/or nationally.
For example, abolitionist William Still lived in Philadelphia and most of his work was done here, but his role in the Underground Railroad and the anti-slavery movement had a lasting impact beyond the city. Hence why a marker commemorating him was eligible (and later approved).
Markers for living people are not allowed. The nominee must be dead for a minimum of five years (with exception given to U.S. presidents and Pennsylvania governors). If the subject matter already has existing markers or monuments, it may be less of a priority for approval from PHMC.
Places of worship and cemeteries are generally not approved.
If a nominated subject has already been rejected by PHMC three consecutive times, it won’t be considered again until a three-year period has passed.
How To Apply
Make sure that what you want to commemorate doesn’t already have a plaque by searching the PHMC database.
Gather your materials to build your case as to why your nomination should be approved. You’ll want clear documentation of primary (letters, legal documents, newspapers from that time period) and secondary (biographies, textbooks) sources.
If you want to strengthen your application, consider partnering with a local historical society, libraries, colleges, or a cultural organization that could provide expertise and resources.
PHMC recommends you consider questions like:
- What was the cause and effect?
- What was the subject’s lasting impact in history?
- What role did the subject play in the cultural, societal, and/or political spheres in its time?
Next, complete a pre-application form and email it to [email protected] by Jan. 15. This form requests details such as contact information, a brief summary of the subject matter’s impact, and whether any other organizations helped prepare the research.
After that, you’ll need to complete a Significance and Documentation worksheet. You’ll use the research you’ve gathered to summarize in one to three sentences (or 100 words) what the subject you’re nominating is and why it matters. You must also cite at least three sources, one being a primary source.
Create an account on PA-SHARE to submit a draft application for initial feedback by Feb. 15. A final application must be submitted through the site by April 1. These are the annual deadlines. All forms and guidance can be found here.
What’s Next
After submitting your application, a staff committee and marker review panel will evaluate each submission. They’ll then pass along recommendations to the commission. This rubric gives an idea of how the panel and committee score nominations under evaluation. The commission will then decide whether to approve, reject, or recommend resubmitting an application.
If selected, applications will receive a letter from the executive director with next steps. If not selected, a staff member will notify the applicant via email with an explanation as to why. A decision is typically made in late September or early October.
Although PHMC is the owner of the marker and responsible for maintenance, the applicant is responsible for installation and getting permission from the owner of the property where the marker would be placed. If a marker is not installed within two years’ time, the process must begin all over again.
