FRANKLIN, Pa. — The public is invited to attend and participate in a free facilitated discussion being held on the morning of Friday, January 6, at DeBence Antique Music World in Franklin, regarding updates to the statewide Preservation Plan.

This session, which will begin at 10:30 a.m., is co-hosted by the Oil Region Alliance and the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office.

The Pa. State Historic Preservation Office (PASHPO) administers all federal and state historic preservation programs in the Commonwealth including the National Register of Historic Places, rehabilitation investment tax credits, historic building and archeological surveys, community assistance, Section 106 and State History Code review, and historic preservation grants. Next Friday’s morning session will focus on prioritizing among the various activities and policies for state agencies.

As a condition of their annual appropriations, the National Park Service requires all SHPOs to develop a statewide historic preservation plan every five years. Because Pennsylvania’s current statewide preservation plan expires at the end of 2017, the PASHPO is currently leading the effort to develop the next plan and is currently striving to gather as much information and guidance as possible from the public. The resulting plan is for the entire commonwealth and is intended to provide a foundation and guidance for local governments, state agencies, preservation advocates, property owners, and others regarding preservation-related activities.

At the request of the Oil Region Alliance, a special public input session has been scheduled to immediately follow the regular meeting of the ORA Heritage Advisory Council, on Friday, January 6, inside the DeBence Antique Music World Museum, 1261 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA.

While the Advisory Council meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. that morning, the public input session will begin at or shortly after 10:30 a.m. PASHPO staff will facilitate a discussion for the public to provide input for the statewide plan.

Because complimentary refreshments will be provided, those planning to attend are asked to RSVP their attendance by January 4 to the attention of Mrs. Marilyn Black, Vice President for Heritage Development, at the Oil Region Alliance office, 814-677-3152, Ext. 105; mblack@oilregion.org.

Reservations are not required, so others who discover they can attend even without reservations are welcome to attend and participate.