Historical Society of Pennsylvania Awarded Save America’s Treasures Grant

Philadelphia, PA (December 18, 2025) — The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) is proud to announce it has been awarded a Save America’s Treasures grant from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. 

This prestigious grant will fund Preserving the Leon Gardner Collection of American Negro Historical Society Records (1715–1962)—a vital conservation project safeguarding one of the most significant archival collections documenting Black American history.  

The Leon Gardner Collection spans 8.9 linear feet (16 boxes and 35 volumes) of manuscripts, publications, and ephemera saved by the American Negro Historical Society (ANHS). Founded in Philadelphia in 1897, ANHS played a pivotal role in collecting and sharing materials that illuminate Black life, leadership, education, and culture. These records reveal the vibrancy and resilience of Philadelphia’s Black community throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Through this project, HSP will perform essential conservation treatments to ensure the collection’s long-term accessibility and durability for researchers. Work will include surface cleaning, paper repair, pin removal, spine reattachment, and rehousing materials in archival-quality enclosures—all critical steps to preserve these irreplaceable resources for generations to come. 

For questions about this project or about HSP, please contact Selena Austin, Programs and Communications Manager, at saustin@hsp.org.   

About the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Founded in 1824, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania is one of the nation’s most comprehensive research libraries, housing more than 21 million documents that illuminate over 350 years of American history. Serving thousands of on-site researchers annually and millions more online, HSP offers digital collections, educational resources, public programs, and workshops. It is a leading center for the study of ethnic communities, immigrant experiences, and family history. Learn more at www.hsp.org.  

About Save America’s Treasures Established in 1998, the Save America’s Treasures program celebrates and preserves the nation’s most significant cultural treasures. Administered by the National Park Service, the program has awarded more than 1,300 grants totaling over $300 million to protect historic collections, buildings, and sites across the United States. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservationfund/save-americas-treasures-grants.htm.