LEWISTOWN — While the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission awarded nearly $4 million in cultural and historical support grants to nearly 200 museums and historical societies to strengthen their general operations, to those in Mifflin and Juniata counties the news came like presents around the tree on Christmas day.

While both organizations have received grants in the past, the $9,000 in funding that each received this year exceeds those previous amounts.

PHMC issued grants to 177 museums and historical societies in 59 Pennsylvania counties. The goal of the funding is to support areas of operation which are not funded by other state agency programs.

“Every year for as long as I can remember we have received $4K from PHMC to go toward general operating expenses,” said Jessica Eaton Guyer, president of the Juniata County Historical Society. “Last year, we were surprised that the amount had doubled. And now to learn we’re getting even more this year is shocking – In a delightful way! We will discuss its possible uses at our January board meeting.”

An eligible museum must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services) and at least one full-time professional staff person.

Grants are awarded on a formula based on a percentage of the organization’s annual operating budget with a maximum grant of $50,000 and a minimum grant of $4,000.

“This would be the annual operating support grant for the historical society’s general operations, including McCoy House,” added Forest Fisher, longtime volunteer with the Mifflin County Historical Society. “This annual Grant program awarded to official county historical societies in every county that applied was delayed until the state budget was finalized.”

The following organizations in the Juniata River Valley and neighboring counties received funding, listed by county:

Mifflin

Mifflin County Historical Society – $9,000

Juniata

Juniata County Historical Society – $9,000

Centre

Centre County Historical Society – $9,000

Columbus Chapel & Boalsburg Estate Society – $6,200

Discovery Space of Central PA – $30,000

Huntingdon

Huntingdon County Historical Society – $9,000

William E. Swigart Jr. Automobile Museum – $6,200

Perry

Historical Society of Perry County – $9,000