Two county historical societies will receive shares of in $4 million in grants awarded to support operations from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The Butler County Historical Society will receive a $9,500 grant to help cover preservation, archival storage and operating costs, said McKenzie Herold, executive director.

“The grant is to help support the historical society’s operating cost and our collection expenses. It’s always good that the PHMC affords us this opportunity so we can preserve Butler County history for the public,” Herold said.

Historic Harmony Inc., which operates the Harmony Museum, will receive a $6,000 grant.

The money will help pay for insurance, which costs $16,000 a year, utilities, which cost $14,000 a year, and other costs, said Denise Rodgers, Historic Harmony president. She said the grant is one of only a few that can be spent on operations.

“We are beyond thankful for this help,” Rodgers said. “We try to use it in the most efficient way possible. We’re so thankful.”

This is the 15th year the commission has worked with the state legislature to secure funding for museums and historical societies through the grant program.