Bonner, Wentling Announce Grant for Mercer County Historical Society

December 11, 2025

HARRISBURG – Reps. Tim Bonner (R-Mercer) and Parke Wentling (R-Mercer) announced today that the Mercer County Historical Society (MCHS) has been awarded a $9,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program. 

This grant will be used to pay for crucial administrative support salary, to pay insurance for the five sites currently owned by the MCHS and to improve technology. This funding may also be used for daily expenses such as printing a newsletter, paying utility bills and purchasing new equipment for MCHS. 

“I am pleased the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has awarded the Mercer County Historical Society the grant money to further the preservation of the history of Mercer County,” Bonner said.

“As a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission commissioner, I was proud to support this grant for the Mercer County Historical Society. I know it will go toward their goal of showcasing the incredible history we have here,” said Wentling. 

The purpose of the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program is to provide general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and official county historical societies that are not directly supported by other state agency operating support programs.

The MCHS was incorporated in 1947 as a non-profit organization. In 1951, a house (Magoffin) was donated to the MCHS within the borough of Mercer. In 1984, an addition (Anderson Building) was built onto the side of the Magoffin House, making the house available for use as a museum. 

The Anderson Building addition included a museum display in the basement, a research library, office and kitchen on the first floor, and a museum display area on the second floor. Currently, the MCHS also owns five other historic sites throughout Mercer County open to the public on Sundays, May through August. 



Representative Tim Bonner
17th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Bonner Media Contact: Andrew Forgotch
717-772-9905

Representative Parke Wentling
7th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Wentling Media Contact: Joe Szymanski
717-808-4961