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Susquehanna Valley Local Section

Joseph Priestley House - Future Funding

(7 April 2009): Business and educational institutions are encouraged to edit this letter and forward it to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. If you have questions, or would like an ACS representative to deliver the letter at the open meeting this week (at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, at the Unitarian Church in Northumberland), please contact our Chair, Dr. Ron Supkowski (ph. 570.208.5900 x5733).

(6 April 2009): Thomas H. Lane, Ph.D. (President of the American Chemical Society) communicates support (read his letter) for continuation of funding for the Joseph Priestley House the Pra letter to Barbara Franco, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

(3 April 2009): The Priestley House has been cited as a possible location to be closed at some point in the future. Rep. Merle Phillips (R-Northumberland/Snyder) is encouraging local residents to participate in a public meeting with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) on the proposed closure of the Joseph Priestley House at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, at the Unitarian Church in Northumberland. The church is located at 265 Point Township Drive (Route 11), Suite A, Northumberland, formerly the Prudential Insurance building. "The Priestley House is a valuable community asset that should never be closed, and we need to let the people have a chance for their voices to be heard," said Phillips, who arranged the public meeting. "There was no outreach within our community about the effect such a closure would have on Northumberland's businesses and residents, not to mention the overall heritage and culture of the area." Those expected to attend will include Barbara Franco, executive director of the Historical and Museum Commission; Steve Miller, bureau director, Historic Sites and Museums; and Jason Gerard, legislative liaison. Part of their presentation will include the sustainability process and the criteria for PHMC sites. "It's imperative to give the public this chance to be heard, and I encourage all local residents to come out and share their concerns about this decision," said Phillips.

If you cannot attend, letters in support of the Joseph Priestley House (from Pennsylvanians or from people anywhere) and demonstrations of support would also be useful in helping to save the Priestley House from closure. Letters need to be submitted prior to April 9^th and should be sent to Barbara Franco, Executive Director Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, State Museum Building, 300 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

(31 March 2009): The Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums (BHSM) of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) has undertaken an internal review of its historic sites and museums to guide planning for the future. As part of that process, a review of the Joseph Priestley House was undertaken. The full report can be found online: information on the Joseph Priestley House appears on page 24 (and is reproduced below).

The leadership of the Susquehanna Valley Local Section is trying to raise awareness of the funding issues facing the Joseph Priestley House. The Past Chair, Chair, Chair-Elect, and Councilor of our Local Section have been in contact with officers (President and Past Presidents, Board Members, and Madeleine Jacobs, Executive Director & CEO) of the American Chemical Society. We are attempting to build a case for ACS support of this important National Historic Chemical Landmark.

(date received 31 March 2009) Provided here is an update from Dr. William Simpson of information that is being provided to C&ENews :

1. Background: The Joseph Priestley House, a historic site held by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, is entering a critical period. The difficulties facing our historic site stem from the budgetary squeeze which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania faces. Frankly, the future status of the Joseph Priestley House may be in question. A recent Sustainability Report by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, which can be accessed by clicking the link calls for the closing of the Joseph Priestley House by mid-year, July 1, 2009. As its future is considered, its past and present value as a cultural and historical artifact needs to be underlined. As you are aware the Joseph Priestley House is an important ACS National Chemical Historic Landmark.
2. Important Meeting Date: The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) recently did a self-study and review about the future of historic sites in its program. A public meeting will be held at 7pm on April 9 in Northumberland, PA at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 265 Point Township Drive, Northumberland, PA. At this meeting, opinions about the Joseph Priestley House as a public historical site will be heard. The meeting provides an opportunity for input from the ACS as to the role the Priestley House plays in its history. We would encourage any and all interested parties to attend and make their voices heard.
3. Importance to ACS: The site is important to ACS because the antecedents of the Society can be traced to the Joseph Priestley House. It is also a way to educate the public as to the "good" chemicals that surround us and play an important role in our daily lives.
4. The Friends of Joseph Priestley House have the funds to renovate an on-site building called the Pond Building that the ACS and other groups could use for group meetings at the historic site.
5. What do we want from ACS - monetary support, help in planning to meet ACS objectives at the site, help in fund raising from corporations and possibly members One dollar a year from every ACS member would make one-half of our budget.
6. If you can≠t attend the April 9 meeting, then please contact some key PA legislators/policy makers˘I will send you the contact info under separate email.

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Excerpt from the full report by the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums (BHSM) of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) - taken from page 24.

Joseph Priestley House, located in the Borough of Northumberland, Northumberland County, preserves and interprets the contributions and significance of Joseph Priestley. Priestly lived and practiced chemistry in Northumberland, Pennsylvania from 1794 to 1804. PHMC is assisted in the operation of the site by the Friends of Joseph Priestley House, with a membership of 82. Total visitation in fy07-08 was 1,705 with a paid visitation of 1,100 generating $4,125 in program revenue and 2,406 recreational and non-ticketed visitors. Total fy06-07 operating budget $142,901 with PHMC providing $136,001 including 2 full time positions and FJPH providing $6,900.

Joseph Priestley House As a National Historic Landmark and National Historic Chemical Landmark, the site features Priestley¡Ás manor house with its laboratory wing situated along the North Branch of the Susquehanna River at Northumberland, Pennsylvania ¡î the small town Priestly called home from 1794 -1804. Priestly is also significant for his role in Unitarianism. Recommendation: PHMC should discontinue operation of the Joseph Priestley House as a historic site/house museum because of the low visitation and limited potential for growth. The Priestley story could be told elsewhere¢¨at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, for example. One possibility is to arrange with the Friends to enter into a management agreement in partnership with the American Chemical Society and Penn State University. Another possibility is to lease the property or establish a Resident Curator arrangement for someone who would live there and take care of the property.