HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) and Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) announced grant funding of $8,000 for The Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County which was formed in and has continued its operations uninterrupted since 1938. The 501(c)(3) organization was incorporated in 1940 and has been recognized by the Indiana County Commissioners as the Official County Historical Society and as a repository of county records.
“Our county historical society does an excellent job of preserving our local history and our records,” said Struzzi. “Our history is largely preserved and told by a force of dedicated volunteers, and grant funding such as this helps to continue that mission. I am proud to announce this funding for our community and applaud the society for its successful navigation of the grant process.”
“Learning from the past is such an important part of investing in our future,” Pittman said. “I’m pleased to have worked with Rep. Struzzi and our colleagues in the Legislature to help provide support for museums and historical societies across the state, including the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County. I thank those involved for their important role in preserving our local history and look forward to seeing the ways in which the history of our region continues to be passed down to future generations.”
Grant funds will be used to further the mission of the historical society through the continued employment of a qualified museum professional and ensure that energy costs are met, in order to keep the building functional for visitors.
This grant is 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.
The society operates under the direction of a part-time executive director guiding a volunteer workforce of around 40 individuals. These individuals work to display, preserve and interpret the area’s rich past through the use of artifacts, as well as documentary material, in order to gain intellectual control over collections and place them in proper conditions to ensure their long-term preservation by staff. Volunteers also produce educational programs that are presented in-house to visitors, as well as out in the community; primarily performed during the society’s hours of operation, five days a week, year-round.
The historical society is located at 621 Wayne Ave, Indiana, PA 15701. Questions about this grant may be directed to Struzzi’s Indiana office at 724-465-0220.