Several local historical societies and museums received an increase in state funding for operational costs this year.

When requests to apply for the Cultural and Historical Support Grants program were sent out earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission worked with the understanding it would receive $2 million funding from the governor’s budget, according to Jay Losiewicz, the commission’s communications director.

Losiewicz said the commission has received $2 million consistently for the last 10 years. But after receiving nearly $4 million this year, the commission was able to award extra funding where it could to support 173 museums and county historical societies with their general operations across the state, he said.

The Railroaders Memorial Museum received $19,600, which is “a very significant increase over last year’s funding” of about $5,700, executive director Joe DeFrancesco said.

DeFrancesco said the funding is used every year to support curatorial and operating costs — ranging from utility bills, insurances and supplies for events to electrical improvements, security and fire alarm upgrades.

“It could be anything from replacing burnt out lightbulbs or purchasing archival supplies, such as boxes or acid-free paper or the essential items that are needed for conservation work,” he said. “We tend to use that money for those critical support areas that are essential to our operation.”

The Blair County Historical Society received $8,000, which will be used to cover operational costs — utilities and insurance — to help sustain operations of the Baker Mansion History Museum, community involvement, educational programs, historical research and promote tourism, according to the society’s grant application.

Cambria, Bedford counties get funds

The Cambria County Historical Society also received $8,000 — double the amount it usually receives, according to curator Allie Kaelin.

“Normally when we get our $4,000 grants … it keeps the lights on, keeps the heat on and part of that goes toward my salary,” Kaelin said, adding a portion of the additional funding received will be used for the upkeep of the society’s building in Ebensburg.

In recent years, the society has used the funding to rebuild its chimney and pave its driveway, Kaelin said, noting the society plans to install a new boiler for its heating system this year.

Old Bedford Village, a living museum in Bedford County, received $8,700, which will be used to “keep people on payroll,” director Bonnie Miller said.

“That gives us extra money to help with payroll and it does help a lot,” Miller said, noting the museum has one full-time and six part-time staff members who work seasonally from May to October when the museum is open.

“We’re happy to get (the funding) and very appreciative that they have the grant out there,” Miller said.

The Johnstown Area Heritage Association received $22,800 of this year’s funding.

Isett Acres, Swigert museum included

The Isett Acres Museum Foundation received $7,500.

Justina Hall, the museum’s manager, said her mouth dropped when told how much the museum received because she had not received an official notification from the state. The amount “is a lot more than what we normally get,” she said.

Hall said the museum has seven buildings to maintain, and the funding will also be used to pay for salaries. She said the museum must have a minimum of four staff members at all times to conduct tours.

Hall said she also plans to earmark a portion of the funding to digitalitize its archives, noting the museum has a collection of paper items, including thousands of coal, grocery and railroad receipts from the early 1800s.

“They will always be available if the originals should get compromised,” Hall said.

The William E. Swigert Jr. Automobile Museum received $4,000 to assist the museum with salaries, professional development, communications and fundraising, according to the museum’s grant application.

The Huntingdon County Historical Society received $8,000 that will be primarily used to cover utility costs, according to the society’s grant application. Other items funded through the grant program include maintenance costs for snow removal and purchases for the museum’s photographic and document collections.

Centre, Clearfield counties

The Centre County Historical Society and the Clearfield County Historical Society each received $8,000 through the grant program.

The Centre County Historical Society will use its funds to preserve history through local and state collaborations and ongoing programming. The funds will also be used to preserve the Centre Furnace Mansion and Boogersburg School, the Centre County encyclopedia of history and culture and other museum collections.

The Clearfield County Historical Society will use its funds to maintain its buildings and grounds and sustain its exhibits and library. The funding will be used to promote community activities, special events and educational programs.

The Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania in Centre County received $28,800, which will be used to support staff salaries, according to the museum’s grant application.