HARRISBURG, Pa., April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) will begin a series of Statewide Preservation Planning Forums on Tuesday, April 26. These meetings will allow the public to help shape the next Statewide Historic Preservation Plan.

Every five years, PHMC's Bureau for Historic Preservation is required to develop a comprehensive preservation plan that does the following:

• Meets the preservation circumstances of the state;
• Achieves broad-based public and professional involvement;
• Takes into consideration issues affecting the broad spectrum of historic and cultural resources within the state;
• Is based on the analyses of resource data and user needs; and
• Encourages the consideration of historic preservation concerns within broader planning environments at federal, state and local levels.

Public input is essential to the preservation planning process. These meetings, scheduled at six locations across Pennsylvania, provide an opportunity for citizens to explain what they most value in their community to help determine preservation priorities.

During the meetings, PHMC staff will provide an overview of the statewide planning process, an analysis of the 2010 Community Preservation Values Survey and highlights of the forthcoming "Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation Activities in Pennsylvania" report.

Following the opening presentations, a 90-minute discussion will focus on community historic preservation priorities and help refine the vision goals and themes of the plan. In addition to PHMC staff, representatives from partner organizations such as Preservation Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Heritage Areas, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and many other statewide and local partners will attend.

For more details on the preservation planning process or to register to attend, please visit www.phmc.state.pa.us/bhp and click on "Preservation Plan."

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Media contact: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639

Editor's Note: The schedule of Preservation Planning Forums is as follows:

April 26 – Scranton
Scranton Cultural Center
420 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503

May 4 – Titusville
Northwest Commission Connect to Communities Conference
Cross Creek Resort, 3815 State Route 8 (3815 William Flynn Highway), Titusville, PA 16354

May 5 – Moon Township
Moon Township Municipal Building, 1000 Beaver Grade Road, Moon Township, PA 15108

May 18 – Harrisburg
Statewide Conference on Heritage
The State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, PA  17120-0024

June 8 – Philadelphia
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
190 N. Independence Mall West, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1520

June 9 – Ambler
Ambler Theater, 108 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, PA 19002

SOURCE Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission