Five museums get state grants

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission has awarded grants to five Berks County museums and historical societies.

The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, Foundation for the Reading Public Museum, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association and Berks History Center are among the beneficiaries of almost $2 million in cultural and historical support grants awarded to 153 eligible museums and historical societies in 58 counties.

The grants will support general operating expenses.

“PHMC is delighted to once again award these general operating support grants to museums and historical societies,” PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery said in a news release. “These grants make a difference in communities all across the commonwealth, connecting Pennsylvanians with their history, serving as economic engines through tourism and job creation, and contributing to the quality of life.”

The goal of the grant program is to strengthen museums and official county historical societies that are not supported by other state funding programs. Eligible

museums must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person.

Award amounts are determined using an equation based on a percentage of the museum’s previous year’s operating budget. All official county historical societies receive a $4,000 minimum grant. The maximum grant amount is $40,000.

The following are the local grants awarded:

Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, $7,396; Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, $17,290; Foundation for the Reading Public Museum, $33,842; Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, $31,786; and Historical Society of Berks County/Berks History Center, $7,922.

“Pennsylvania’s wonderful museums and historical societies help preserve and share the state’s rich history and culture through the stories they tell,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a news release. “These funds, awarded to museums and historical societies across commonwealth will help ensure these facilities are able to continue serving as educational resources for all Pennsylvanians.”

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.