West Central PA News

State Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) and Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) announced a grant of $8,000 for The Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County. Formed in 1938 and incorporated in 1940, the society has been recognized by the Indiana County Commissioners as the Official County Historical Society and 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.”

The grant will be used to further the mission of the historical society through continued employment of a qualified museum professional and ensure energy costs are met to keep the building functional for visitors.

This grant is awarded as part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s (PHMC) Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program, established in 2013 as a collaborative effort between the Legislature and PHMC, aimed at providing general operating support to museums and official county historical societies not supported by other state agency funding sources.

The society operates under a part-time executive director guiding around 40 volunteers who work on displaying, preserving, and interpreting the area's rich past using artifacts and documentary material. These efforts aim to gain intellectual control over collections, ensuring their long-term preservation. Volunteers also produce educational programs presented both in-house to visitors and within the community during regular hours of operation five days a week year-round.