Phase-1 Mini-Museum has been erected!

Adjacent to the State Police Academy in Hershey, PA.

This new facility will serve as an interim operations center.

It includes our offices, a Mini Museum, gift shop and area for programs until the funding for Phase Two is acquired.

Keep visiting the website for more info about our grand opening celebration!


Here's a picture of the site sign, which reads:
    
"Site of future State Police Historical, Educational, and Memorial Center"

10.38 acres of land adjacent to the State Police Academy

Groundbreaking
 
Our Ceremonial Groundbreaking took place on March 22, 2005, on the HEMC land atop "The Hill", just behind the State Police Academy.

Almost the entire Board of Directors was present, HEMC Staff, as well as numerous dignitaries and some of our favorite supporters, The Media. 

Photo: from left: HEMC Board members Dave Bowser, Frank O'Rourke,  Earl Hoffman,  Ed Catalone, and Bill Regan, State Police Commissioner Jeff Miller, Board members Kirk Trate, Matt Hunt, and Joe Stabler, second from right is Congressman Tim Holden, and at far right, Board member Art Cronin.

MUSEUM PROGRESS

There has been slow progress with regards to large-scale funding for the building project.  PSP-HEMC was given a line item in recent House Bill which gives much impetus to the project.  We have had lots of questions about when the construction for the larger Phase II will begin. Much of what goes on behind the scenes is non-apparent. Site and building plans will continue to undergo changes before finalization, but the Derry Twp.  Board of Supervisors approved the site development plans and preliminary building designs, which were set out with the best possible use of the land in mind. The plans have been filed at the Courthouse in Harrisburg.  
    
As soon as we have a definite date for ground breaking for the 32,000+ sq. ft. center, we will announce it here and in the local newspapers. The media in the Hershey area and throughout Pennsylvania has been very supportive and encouraging to us. We appreciate their fair an unbiased coverage.

When the site plan appeared in a past issue of the Communicator, and, every time it appears in a newspaper, it stirs a lot of discussion!  The land is situated at the top of "the Hill" off the back drive.  Many Troopers recall running UP that steep incline, and when the Center is built, the Cadets will have something to inspire them to reach the crest.  The view at the site of the surrounding countryside is outstanding. 

Through the efforts of the Board the zoning for the parcel of land was officially changed to an Economic Opportunity zone, which will allow for the best use of the land. 

The mission of PSP-HEMC to erect a state police center will eventually be fulfilled. Museums and historical centers take time. The National Constitution Museum, for example, took 25 yrs. of struggle for solidity and solvency before it became what it is today.

The initial Phase I (One) structure will house a combination of display area, office, gift shop, and storage. As funding becomes available, Phase II will add a library and archives with state of the art classroom, and the memorial area which will feature the Granite Wall and the Wall of Honor will be built.

If you have been holding off on pledging your financial support or offering a large contribution, now is the very best time to take action and be a part of the move to begin the building. Then, the groundbreaking can begin on Phase Two and the earth moving machines will transform the Hill.  Your contributions at this time will be timely and of great value in helping the project move smoothly forward.

With the continued support of individual State Troopers, retired and active, and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, (which was instrumental in helping get HEMC off to a good start when it was established as a 501-c-3, back in 1997), plus interested and committed Pennsylvanians and forward-thinking legislators, the Center will be funded in part directly by Troopers and in part by money earmarked by Pennsylvanians specifically for a useful and worthy project of this nature.

  A LOOK TO THE FUTURE...Phase 2     
  
   Architect's conceptual rendering (above)
           View a 3-D Rendering of Building Design

The Building Committee, under the guidance of Committee Chair Dave Bowser, will continue to evaluate and fine tune the Center design, to take into consideration the unusual slope of the land and the aesthetics, as the Center will be visible for miles around.

When finished the project, which will be erected in stages, is envisioned as a glass fronted entrance, flanked by three sixty foot tall flag standards, and a special skylight feature in the atrium area which resembles a Trooper helmet.  The gracefully curved front entrance will be flooded with light from the sky dome above and will someday lead into three wings, such as the Memorial wing which will house the impressive Black Granite Wall of Honor and the Memorial Wall, which honors those killed in the line of duty. 

So far, over 1,700 Black Granite Brick reservations have been received for the Granite Brick wall!  There's still time to get in.  We will accept brick reservations until the final building plan is submitted.

The building will most likely be erected in modular fashion, as funding is acquired.  

As shown above, the three "wings" planned will each radiate off the central circular entrance.  Each wing will address a different aspect of Pennsylvania State Police History.

A small out-building is now completed as per phase-1.

Eventually, plans in the larger Phase II include additional display space, climate controlled storage areas to properly preserve the artifacts, and perhaps a food area so you can spend quality time without worrying about packing a lunch!

The area of the building that will eventually house a meeting and dining area will help to defray the costs of operating the Center, as it may be rented by groups for functions such as seminars, ceremonies, etc.  

Ample parking space for cars, buses and handicapped has been allocated.  The way the parking areas have been designed will make them less visible from the road, allowing the building itself to stand out. A fun day filled with education and memories will be enjoyed by all who visit. Retirees and active Troopers will enjoy trading tales of their escapades!

The Building Committee will continue to evaluate space allocation for each of the displays in the museum and learning center; the number of parking spaces for buses and cars, square footage for each wing, room for future growth, for the gift shop, and so on. Displays will be carefully planned according to the museum story line, which is also under development at this time. The result: our PSP facility should be equal or superior to any other State Police Museum and many other museums nationwide.  

Artifacts and  Memorabilia Collection

Many people have indicated a desire to view the impressive and growing collection of historically important PSP Memorabilia and records, and when the Center is built, and these items are placed on display once more, they shall!  

A small number of items were on display in  30 x 40 foot room during the Centennial Celebration events held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.

Right now, thousands of artifacts and memorabilia items and records (especially if you count all the loose state police uniform buttons!) are safely stored in a secure area, awaiting a permanent home at the Center.

As items are removed from service by the State Police, PSP-HEMC receives more.   Artifacts Committee Chairman Maj. Robert Einsel,(retired) reports that the present storage area, which was much larger than the first, is again filled to capacity. 

We receive new items for the collection every few weeks. That’s why it continues to be critical to get this Museum and Educational Center built and open to the public. 

WALL OF HONOR
  
For Active and retired Pennsylvania State Police Personnel: Over 1,700 Bricks have already been reserved. This number continues to climb upward brick by brick. 

There is still time to reserve bricks in the Black Granite Wall of Honor: A chance in a lifetime to be part of something perpetual, of lasting historical importance, and strong visual impact.

There is still time to reserve your place in history.  The Wall of Honor is going to be something of which you can be proud!  

To be included in this historic monument, you MUST be an active or retired State Police Trooper or Civilian employee of the State Police. Don't miss the opportunity to stake your claim for a spot in the "State Police Hall of Fame".  Don't delay - because the price is right for a lifetime of remembrance, recognition, and honor.) 

Black granite bricks are on display in the HEMC office. Each hefty brick is beautiful in itself, so imagine how impressive they will be when gathered together into a large mass. 

The bricks may be purchased by family members and friends of any living or deceased Pa State Police Trooper or civilian employee.

The bricks will be randomly placed in the Wall, and they will not include rank. If you have specific questions about why your bricks cannot be set into the wall selectively, or why rank is not included, call the office and we will be glad to explain the decision for "Random vs. Selective Brick Placement".

Funds
 
Operations continue to be funded by Sales proceeds of Pennsylvania State Police memorabilia and collectibles, and other fundraisers such as our Annual Golf Tournaments.   Expenditures include PR, offices, accounting, architects, engineers, surveyors, zoning change applications, review by the Township supervisors, the services of attorneys and accountants; and expenditures for the Artifacts Committee, including the acquisition of and Restoration of the State Police 1972 Plymouth Fury cruiser.  The public has been delighted with the end result of that long restoration project.  (See more on restoration)

The HEMC recently purchased a 1973 Plymouth Fury, the Tijuana Taxi Cab which it hopes to restore. More information on the status of the ’73 Fury will be provided as it becomes available.

The Museum

There will eventually be another Wall possibly moved over to the museum. It is currently in place at the Academy.  This Call of Honor Wall memorializes those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

There are fountain and garden areas planned for the exterior of the State Police Center, and one notable feature on the plans near the Memorial Wing calls for a Reflecting Pool, which should be a restful area, serene,   contemplative, and beautiful!

The mission and goal is to establish the Pennsylvania State Police Center directly adjacent to the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, centrally located in Hershey, PA.

Construction on Phase II will continue as funds are acquired, until all phases are completed.   The Pennsylvania State Police Historical, Educational and Memorial Center will serve three distinct purposes:

Historical: It will collect, preserve and exhibit significant historical artifacts and focal points appropriate to the history of the PA State Police.

Educational: It will serve as an educational facility highlighting the diverse functions of the Department from its inception in 1905 to the present day, and provide opportunities for education.

Memorial: It will serve as a Memorial to all State Police employees, past and present, particularly those brave Troopers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our citizens and upholding the law and proud traditions of the Department.

Visit our website Wall of Honor

Visitors will someday be permitted to enter an austere Library and Archives to do research on the State Police or find out more about those who served through Pennsylvania's history.  There will be Oral Histories from State Police personnel to enliven the experience.

HEMC gets calls and e-mails more often now from people hoping to find answers to research questions for books, family histories, school projects, etc.  Among them: relatives of State Policemen and women, book authors, antique collectors and dealers, students hunting for information for research and school papers, genealogists, and so on.  At times we cannot do anything other than refer these requests to the Public Information Officer at PSP Departmental HQ. 

In time, the HEMC Library and Archives will allow visitors to tap into a vast source of records and memorabilia to provide vital information.  The Artifacts Committee will play an increasingly vital role as they continue to catalog the entire collection, and have it inputted into Past Perfect museum software.  Visitors to the Historical wing of the Pa State Police Center will be able to experience interactive displays firsthand while viewing the collection of PSP Artifacts Memorabilia; thousands of vintage photographs, uniforms, weapons, and many other items that will surprise and delight.  

For example, the collection includes the original balls from the "666" lottery scam!  A Rodeo Clown car!  A 1962 Harley Davidson Duo-Glide FLH Panhead Police Special Motorcycle!  A 1972 Plymouth Fury patrol car which has been restored to original new car glory.  Uniforms, weapons, thousands of photographs, and much, much more!

A group of dedicated volunteers did a great restoration job on the PSP-HEMC Plymouth. 

The restoration is 100% completed and received attention in several national publications, such as Mopar magazine. Local news agencies featured the car in several issues.

The Restoration Committee continues to receive numerous invitations for the car to be showcased in local and regional Auto Shows. Whenever possible, these requests were previously honored.  However, the Board recently voted to maintain the vehicle as a static museum display to protect it from damage.

The PSP Center is for everyone who lives in and visits Pennsylvania.   It is all about Pennsylvania's State Troopers, everyone who ever worked for and with them, loves them because they are related, or is grateful they were there in times of trouble. Active, retired, past, present and future, this Center will be showcasing important Pennsylvania history for all Pennsylvanians, everywhere, into the future and beyond.

Calls about contributions toward operations,  and concerning donations of items people would like to see included in displays in the Museum portion of the Center can be directed to the HEMC office at 1-717-534-0565.  We ask those who wish to donate or contribute memorabilia to the H.E.M.C., to send or hand deliver it to the H.E.M.C. offices at 187 East Hershey Park Drive, Hershey, Pa 17033 only. Please ask for an itemized receipt called a Deed of Gift, for your contributions. 

Please do not send or submit items for the State Police Center to individuals who claim to be from the H.E.M.C.  You can call the office at 1-717-534-0565 to check on who is authorized to accept items on behalf of the museum portion of the Center.