HARRISBURG – Senator Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, announced Wednesday that nine cultural and historical support grants totaling $36,000 have been awarded throughout the 25th Senatorial District. McKean County Historical Society and the Eldred World War II Museum were two of the recipients chosen to receive grants.

Scarnati explained that the grants are being awarded as part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s (PHMC) Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program. The program was established in 2013 as a collaborative effort between the Legislature and PHMC, with the goal of providing general operating support to museums and official county historical societies that are not supported by other state agency funding sources.

“Our area is fortunate to have outstanding museums and historical societies,” Scarnati said. “I am glad that these grants will offer assistance so that they can continue to provide excellent educational opportunities within our communities.”

The following local grants from the 2019-2020 Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program have been approved by the PHMC Board of Commissioners: $4,000 each to the Cameron County Historical Society; the Elk County Historical Society; the McKean County Historical Society and the Eldred WWII Museum.

“I am pleased to be a member of the PHMC Board of Commissioners and to have worked with my colleagues in the Legislature to help provide this needed support to our local historical groups,” Scarnati said. “Historical societies and museums play a vital role in our communities, archiving and celebrating the history and heritage that shaped our region. I am confident that these grants will help ensure that historic photos, exhibits and narratives are passed down to future generations.”

According to Scarnati these grants are a part of 153 Historical & Support Grants awarded to museums and historical societies across Pennsylvania for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. More information regarding the program can be found on the PHMC website.