State Legislators Announce Museum Grants for Lehigh Valley



HARRISBURG – Reps. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks), Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh/Northampton), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Berks/Lehigh) and Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) today announced grants totaling more than $100,000 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) to organizations in the Lehigh Valley.

The state funding is being allocated in the following amounts:

  • Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science and Technology, Inc. – $44,937.
  • Historic Bethlehem Partnership – $22,481.
  • Lehigh County Historical Society – $10,796.
  • Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society – $8,373.
  • National Canal Museum – $5,784.
  • Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center – $9,850.

In a joint statement, the lawmakers said:

“We firmly believe in the mission of each of these fine organizations, which is to preserve and portray the rich heritage of the Lehigh Valley. We are pleased the PHMC board of commissioners has approved the allocations and helped to ensure these groups can continue their important work, which benefits all of us who live here.”

The PHMC’s Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program provides general operating support to eligible museums and official county historical societies in Pennsylvania. For the 2014-15 fiscal year, $1.9 million has been awarded to 121 organizations.

Representative Gary Day

187th District

Representative Julie Harhart

183rd District

Representative Ryan Mackenzie

134th District

Representative Justin Simmons

131st District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact:  Andy Briggs

717.260.6474

abriggs@pahousegop.com