About Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Pennsylvania Architectural Field Guide
This website has been created by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission's Bureau for Historic Preservation to provide a general background on the architectural types and styles prevalent in our state. This guide provides information about styles with coordinating photos and lists of identifying features to aid in the evaluation, understanding and appreciation of historic buildings. This website represents more than two years of staff effort, however the resulting field guide is by no means a definitive and exhaustive product. We welcome your input and hope you will share photographs which portray the depth and diversity of Pennsylvania’s architectural history.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New guidance for professional practice, cultural change and regulation in social housing.
The heritage of nuclear and conventional power stations.
New measures to stop people being ripped off
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New Futurebuild showcase brings an innovation-first approach.
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Member consultation opens to shape priorities for 2027 to 2030.
Dutyholder responsibilities from 1 July 2026.
Where performance meets practice
The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham.
CIAT publishes briefing on planning reforms.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
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The importance of early engagement
Construction lessons from the Trillium HealthWorks Experience Centre.
Mayors are to be given planning call in powers
Mayors across England will be able to make the most important planning decisions.