The Butler County Historical Society will receive a $4,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to help fund operations.

The grant was one of 153 totaling $2 million awarded to historical societies and museums in 58 counties.

“We are grateful to PHMC. They are always supportive of local historical societies and museums. In fact, most of us couldn't continue operating without them,” said Jennifer Ford, Butler County Historical Society executive director.

Historical societies and museums that do not receive other state funding, have a budget exceeding $100,000 and have at least one full-time professional staff member, or approved equivalent, are eligible for the grant, according to the commission.

“Pennsylvania's wonderful museums and historical societies help preserve and share the state's rich history and culture through the stories they tell,” Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday when the commission announced the grants. “These funds, awarded to museums and historical societies across the commonwealth, will help ensure these facilities are able to continue serving as educational resources for all Pennsylvanians.”

The society applies for an operations grant every year, said Ford, who began working for the society four months ago.

“We get it regularly. Maybe not every year. We apply annually and hope for the best,” Ford said. “We're always in need.”

She said the PHMC has a number of grant programs and the society received several large grants for work at the Senator Walter Lowrie House on Diamond Street in Butler 20 to 30 years ago. The Lowrie House contains the society's office, gift shop and research library, and is one of its three museums.

Currently, the society is arranging new exhibits and placing new signs and furniture in each room of the Lowrie House. The work will be done in time for a June 26 membership meeting. The exhibits will be open to the public after the meeting,

The society is also planning fundraisers, including the annual cemetery walk May 16 and a drag queen bingo in Highfield Hall in Lyndora on June 27, Ford said.