Embedded Files
2025 Year in Review
We thought 2024 was a strong year, but 2025 raised the bar even higher. While we weren’t as active in the field as in years past, our members put that time to excellent use-conducting research, pursuing professional development, and visiting historic sites and museums with direct or peripheral connections to National Guard of Pennsylvania history and the material culture of our focus period.
2026 Preservation & Education Campaign
The 2026 NGP Preservation and Education Campaign began slowly, but momentum built steadily throughout the year. Even with an extended government shutdown slowing progress, a surge of fourth‑quarter donations pushed us across the finish line for our largest campaign to date. We will proudly present a $1,200 donation to the Capitol Preservation Committee in March.
Additional support came from the Fort Indiantown Gap Area Show, a militaria and insignia collectors’ event organized in part by one of our members. Proceeds benefited organizations dedicated to preserving Pennsylvania National Guard history, along with a contribution to the hosting fire company. The spring and fall shows together added $167 to our 2026 campaign.
Programs, Events & Outreach
With 2025 being an inauguration year, we explored the National Guard of Pennsylvania’s involvement in past inaugurations and highlighted accounts of Pennsylvanians serving in our Nation’s Capital for these ceremonial events.
In March, we launched our 2026 season with the annual Great War at Fort Mott program-always a great opportunity to experience a snapshot of the Allies and Central Powers during World War I.
Spring brought us back to Virginia for April and May programming focused on the NGP’s time at Camp Alger during the Spanish‑American War.
June included our participation in the Army 250th Birthday events at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Modern Pennsylvania National Guard units-including the 111th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Engineer Battalion and First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry-trace their lineage to units that served at Valley Forge during the American Revolution.
We closed out June with a return to Fort Mott for the annual Spanish‑American War Living History Program.
In July, we partnered with the York County History Center for “From Militia to National Guard”, held at their new location in York City. Alongside York‑specific artifacts, this program marked the first public display of our Pennsylvania Naval Militia collection-the seagoing arm of the National Guard of Pennsylvania.
August brought a rare opportunity to examine a previously unknown NGP banner discovered at the LancasterHistory Museum & Research Center. Our team assisted in evaluating the artifact and narrowing down its possible periods of use to three likely timeframes.
Later in August, we returned to Adams County for “National Guard of PA – The Early Years”, a large‑scale display of original uniforms, equipment, arms, and paper items spanning the post‑Civil War era through World War I. It had been years since we showcased such a comprehensive collection, and it was exciting to see both familiar and newly acquired artifacts together again.
September included two timeline events: the Army Expo at the Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, and Heritage Day at Paoli Battlefield Historical Park.
In October, one of our members curated a Pennsylvania Navy exhibit for the 250th celebration aboard the USS New Jersey in Camden.
November wrapped up the year with a World War I exhibit at “Trains and Troops” at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, followed by our participation in the Veterans Day Parade in Media with others portraying Pennsylvania soldiers throught history.
2025 Membership & Financial Summary
We began and ended 2025 with 11 full members, with no gains or losses.
Our treasury will secure a $1,200 donation to the Capitol Preservation Committee to support the preservation and conservation of Pennsylvania’s priceless military flag collection.
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