Pennsylvania Governor Ridge Proposes Historic $100 MillionInvestment in Pennsylvania State Museums

Plan Would Devote $80 Million for First Major

Renovation to State Museum of Pennsylvania in 35 Years

PA Would Have `Virtually Brand-New' State Museum by 2005 - To Celebrate

Museum's 100th Anniversary

Supports PA's $26 Billion Tourism Industry

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge today revealed that his upcoming budget proposal will seek an unprecedented $100 million investment in Pennsylvania's historic infrastructure. The record investment in the "Pennsylvania Trail of History" will enhance many popular destinations, such as The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Washington Crossing Historic Park, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Military Museum.

The centerpiece of the Trail of History and the largest museum in the state system -- The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg -- would receive $80 million under the Governor's proposal, to completely overhaul the galleries and exhibits that receive more than 300,000 visitors each year. Much of the museum hasn't been upgraded since its doors first opened more than 35 years ago.

"Today I ask the General Assembly to make our largest investment yet in Pennsylvania's historic infrastructure," Gov. Ridge said, during the announcement at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. "Not just at this museum, but at the many other historic sites the state supports all across Pennsylvania. By acting now, we have an opportunity to make our world- class venues worthy of the stories Pennsylvanians have to tell.

"Over the past six years, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Pennsylvania's quality-of-life infrastructure. Today, we take another important step in our quest for greatness -- by investing in our museums, preserving Pennsylvania's rich history."

Gov. Ridge made the announcement while standing inside a State Museum gallery that would be renovated under his plan.

"The State Museum of Pennsylvania is the official museum of our Commonwealth -- the No. 1 place to collect and preserve the history that made us who and what we are today," Gov. Ridge said. "While this outstanding and important collection still has much to offer, time has essentially passed it by. Many of the galleries and displays are dated. After all, when these doors opened, the Beatles were singing `Ticket to Ride,' and `The Sound of Music' was in theaters -- but not much has changed here since."

Gov. Ridge formally will introduce his museum proposal during his budget address to the General Assembly next month.

The Governor thanked Sen. Edwin Holl (R-Montgomery) and Rep. Stephen Maitland (R-Adams) for their service as Commissioners of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), and Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin) and Rep. Ronald Buxton (D-Dauphin) for their efforts to support tourism and economic development in Central Pennsylvania.

"I join all our Commissioners in thanking Gov. Ridge for his leadership and support," Janet S. Klein, PHMC Chairman, said.

The State Museum is a comprehensive professional museum, established in 1905 to collect and preserve artifacts that illustrate the Commonwealth's history and to interpret its heritage through exhibits and programs. The museum moved to its present location in the William Penn Memorial Building, adjacent to the state Capitol, in April 1965. The museum offers free educational and cultural programs for organized groups and casual visitors. With more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, it is the largest museum between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Under Gov. Ridge's proposal -- with the guidance of the PHMC -- each of the museum's four floors would undergo dramatic changes, including entirely new exhibits in the Civil War, History and Natural Sciences galleries, along with significant upgrades to the popular Planetarium.

"The changes will launch the museum into the 21st century, complete with interactive displays and state-of-the-art technology throughout the complex," Gov. Ridge said. "Plus, the renovations will allow much of what's now in storage to be moved onto gallery floors where it belongs.

"In 2005, the State Museum will celebrate its 100th anniversary. If the General Assembly agrees with my proposal, we'll celebrate that milestone with a virtually brand-new museum -- one that's ready to welcome visitors for another hundred years."

Gov. Ridge noted that, by setting aside money in the state's General Fund for this project, avoiding the need to float bonds, taxpayers would save about $50 million in interest.

Renovations to the State Museum would support a burgeoning tourism industry in the Capital Region. Gov. Ridge has delivered more than $113 million to support places such as Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts; the soon-to-open National Civil War Museum; a major expansion of the State Farm Show Complex; the new Hershey Arena (Giant Center); and the Gettysburg Historic Pathways plan.

"Harrisburg is extremely fortunate to have a Governor with the vision of Tom Ridge," said Mayor Stephen Reed, joining Gov. Ridge at today's announcement. "The State Museum is one of this city's real treasures -- attracting students and families from all corners of the state, and beyond. This historic investment would ensure that it is part of the Capital Region's tourism future.

"The Governor has been an invaluable partner in our tourism efforts. I join him in calling on the members of the Legislature in supporting this forward-thinking plan."

Under Gov. Ridge's plan, $20 million would go toward renovations at several of the other 25 historic sites and museums known as the Pennsylvania Trail of History. Decisions on which sites receive funding will be made based on recommendations of the PHMC.

Every stop on the Trail is a celebration of the people, places and events that make Pennsylvania history unique. It's a true story of triumphs on battlefields and at sea, survival of early settlers, the toil of thousands of immigrants, and the industries of coal, iron, oil, lumber and railroads.

"The mission of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is to preserve, educate and inspire the public to discover and appreciate Pennsylvania's past," said Brent Glass, PHMC Executive Director. "And one of the best ways to capture those experiences is to visit stops along the Trail of History. Gov. Ridge's plan would make sure these magnificent places continue to inspire both young and old for many years to come."

The 26 historic sites and museums -- listed roughly from west to east -- are:

-- Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara, Erie County;

-- Drake Well Museum, Venango County;

-- Old Economy Village, Beaver County;

-- Fort Pitt Museum, Allegheny County;

-- Bushy Run Battlefield, Westmoreland County;

-- Somerset Historical Center, Somerset County;

-- Pennsylvania Military Museum, Centre County;

-- Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Potter County;

-- Joseph Priestly House, Northumberland County;

-- The State Museum of Pennsylvania & State Archives, Dauphin County;

-- Cornwall Iron Furnace, Lebanon County;

-- Conrad Weiser Homestead, Berks County;

-- Ephrata Cloister, Lancaster County;

-- Landis Valley Museum, Lancaster County;

-- Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Lancaster County;

-- Daniel Boone Homestead, Berks County;

-- Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum, Lackawanna County;

-- Eckly Miners' Village, Luzerne County;

-- Scranton Iron Furnaces, Lackawanna County;

-- Museum of Anthracite Mining, Schuylkill County;

-- Brandywine Battlefield, Chester and Delaware counties;

-- Morton Homestead, Delaware County;

-- Hope Lodge, Montgomery County;

-- Graeme Park, Montgomery County;

-- Washington Crossing Historic Park, Bucks County; and

-- Pennsbury Manor, Bucks County.

Travel and tourism remains Pennsylvania's second-largest industry, and employs more than 531,600 of our citizens with a payroll of $10.6 billion. Tourism performance has improved steadily during the Ridge Administration. Tourism injected more than $26 billion into Pennsylvania's economy in 1999, with nearly 114 million travelers coming into the state.

Pennsylvania is the fifth-most-visited state, accounting for 4.6 percent of all leisure travel and 3.9 percent of all business travel.

CONTACT: Steve Aaron, Deputy Press Sec. of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, 717-783-1116.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CO: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor; The State Museum of Pennsylvania

ST: Pennsylvania

IN: LEI

SU:

01/22/2001 12:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com



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