Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Harrisburg - The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) today announced the appointment of Jeffrey Bliemeister as site administrator at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Galeton, Potter County. “We are very fortunate to have recruited an individual with Jeff’s skills and experience to take charge at the Lumber Museum, especially at the onset of the major capital renovations to the visitor center,” said James M. Vaughan, PHMC executive director. Bliemeister joins a staff of two and a committed board of directors of the Lumber Museum Associates to lead the institution forward at the 160-acre containing 17 buildings and structures. Bliemeister has more than 25 years of professional museum experience. He has directed the Holland Land Office Museum, Batavia, NY; Hyde Hall, New York State Historic Site, Springfield, NY; and Renfrew Museum and Park in Waynesboro, PA. He spent the last nine years as curator of the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, PA., an inst...

McKean and neighboring counties will be receiving nearly a million dollars in state grant money to enhance trails, parks and other tourist attractions in the region. The Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Corporation will get $140,000 to provide technical assistance to communities in Bradford, Crawford, Erie, Lackawanna, McKean, Pike, Potter, Tioga, Warren, Wayne and Wyoming counties to implement their Heritage Work Plans and coordinate Artisan Trail for 2012. The money will also go toward coordinating the Mile Marker Maintenance program, develop printed materials to market Route 6 and its assets, update the Interpretive Plan and History of Route 6 and develop application for National Scenic Byway and All-American Road designation for Route 6. The Lumber Heritage Region of PA will receive $125,000 to provide technical support to partner organizations in Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren countie...

A popular mini-grant program that helps businesses in the Pennsylvania Wilds region pay for new business signage has re-opened and is accepting applications through April 15. The PA Wilds Business Signage Grants are designed to encourage businesses in the Pennsylvania Wilds to improve their prospects – and the look and feel of their communities – by utilizing the Pennsylvania Wilds Design Guide in the creation and construction of new signage. The Design Guide is a voluntary planning document that highlights how communities in the region can protect or enhance their rural character as they grow – whether that growth is due to tourism, drilling or other industries. It promotes such things as using natural materials or themes the region is known for – wood, stone, water, wildlife – in construction, design or landscaping. “The region’s rural and historic character and strong sense of place is part of what makes the Pennsylvania Wilds attractive to visitors and residents, so it is important...

The Lumber Heritage Region (LHR) and the 11 other Pennsylvania Heritage Areas, including the PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor were inducted into the Keystone Society for Tourism. According to the Office of Governor Edward G. Rendell, induction into the Keystone Society for Tourism is the highest honor Pennsylvania confers on leaders in the tourism industry. Pennsylvania’s Heritage Areas were honored with the Enterprise Award, presented "to champions of a cooperative alliance that has spurred economic development through significant financial investments" to regional anchor attractions. Recipients of this award "demonstrate skillful management and facilitation of diverse resources necessary to frame, brand, and position a destination or attraction." In northwestern and northcentral Pennsylvania, the Lumber Heritage Region has been recognized for the management and facilitation of diverse resources designed to enhance the anchor attractions of the Lumber Region, such as ...