HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission has awarded almost $2 million in cultural and historical support grants to 154 eligible museums and official county historical societies from 56 Pennsylvania counties.

The Eldred World War II Museum, McKean County Historical Society and Elk County Historical Society each were given $4,000.

The goal of the Cultural and Historical Support Grant program is to strengthen Pennsylvania’s museum community by supporting the general operations of eligible museums and official county historical societies that are not supported by other state agency funding programs. An eligible museum must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services) and at least one full-time professional staff person (or approved equivalent).

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