History Center receives $5,000 grant for digital archival preservation

The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission

York, Pa. – The York County History Center was one of 31 organizations in Pennsylvania to receive a grant award from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, money that will be used to preserve York County’s invaluable historical records and make them accessible to residents across the Commonwealth.

The History Center received $5,000 to bring in preservation experts from the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts. These specialists will assess how the History Center stores and protects its digital archives, everything from historic photographs and documents that have been scanned to born-digital materials.

“Based on their findings, they’ll help us create a roadmap for keeping these irreplaceable digital collections safe and accessible for future generations,” said Benjamin Neely, president and CEO of the History Center. “This grant represents an important investment in protecting York County’s history in the digital age.”

The Museum Commission awarded a total of $147,700 in Historical and Archival Records Care (HARC) grants, ranging from $751 to digitize and create preservation copies of two unique 16 mm motion pictures regarding New Cumberland to $5,000 for the Heinz History Center to process and catalog the Kadiatou Conte-Forte Papers, a Pittsburgh resident and founder of the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble.

“The HARC grants are more than just funding awards; they are an essential investment in the integrity of Pennsylvania’s collective memory,” said Andrea Lowery, Executive Director, PHMC. “From rare films to vital personal papers, these records hold the truths of our past. Through this program we are safeguarding our history and building a more accessible platform for every resident to discover their heritage and understand the journey of the Commonwealth and our nation as we celebrate our 250^th anniversary.”

HARC grants are awarded competitively and are designed to improve the preservation and accessibility of historically significant records held by local governments, historical records repositories, and academic institutions.

The Pennsylvania State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) oversees the HARC grant program. SHRAB operates under federal regulations governing the National Historical Publications & Records Commission and serves as the central advisory body for historical records planning in the state.

For the full list of 2025 HARC grant recipients, go to https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/newsroom/phmc-awards-nearly–150-000-to-preserve-historical-and-archival-.

Media contacts

YORK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER: Dan Fink, dfink@yorkhistorycenter.org, 717-848-1587 ext. 216

About the York County History Center

The York County History Center, a nonprofit organization, inspires the exploration of the rich history, diverse people, and vibrant culture of York County, Pennsylvania and the United States. Through its extensive collections and historic sites, the History Center’s new museum vividly narrates the American story from pre-colonial times to present day. Housing more than 90,000 artifacts, the collection spans nearly 300 years of York County’s history, showcasing its development and spotlighting the many community contributions. The History Center’s Library & Archives is generally considered one of the best local history and genealogy libraries in the state and offers a wealth of resources to help you with your research. A key aspect of the History Center’s mission is to tell York County’s history more inclusively, to have the stories fully reflect the entire community. The new museum’s core exhibit uses state-of-the-art technology to provide an immersive and modern experience for visitors, who are encouraged to visit all five of our impressive museums to gain a full appreciation for all of York County’s history.