Congratulations to the seven recipients in the second cycle of the Educational Partner Mini-Grant Program for Oil and Natural Gas History and Preservation in the Oil Region. A total of $10,290 was awarded in this most recent round of funding for various projects from interactive historic educational displays to a condition assessment for preservation of a historic monument.

These seven projects will leverage nearly $17,300 in matching funds from private sources; meaning $27,590 in projects will assist in educating the public region’s oil and natural gas history and preservation of our historic resources.

Receiving grant awards in the second cycle are:

• Titusville Renaissance, Inc.; $625 for a “Historic Preservation Workshop”
• Titusville Renaissance, Inc.; $690 for the “Towne Square Mural Brochure”
• Central Elementary School; $2,000 for “School Heritage Tours”
• Old Emlenton Mill Foundation; $2,000 for the “Emlenton Mill Interactive Information Displays”
• Franklin Civic Operetta Association; $2,000 for “We’ve Struck Oil”
• Historic Franklin Preservation Association; $2,000 for a “Condition Assessment for the Preservation of the Venango County Civil War Monument”
• Titusville Alumni Association; $975 for “Tarbell Tea House”

In addition to these seven recipients, in August of this year two projects were awarded funds in the first cycle of the mini-grant program. The Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry received $1,000 for “Free Student Tours;” and Seventh Street School (Oil City School District) received $2,000 for “Third Grade Community Day.”

The Educational Partner Mini-Grant Program is a re-granting program administered by the Oil Region Alliance.  It is financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnership Program, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.  Recipients must provide matching funds (equal to the grant received.)

For more information on any of these projects or the Educational Mini-Grant Partnership Program, please contact Kim Harris, Project Manager at 814-677-3152, Ext. 120; or email kharris@oilregion.org.