Podcast: We Love PA History!

Expected Release Date: June 3, 2026

Why Do Pennsylvanian's Love Their History?
Andrea Lowery, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission

 
Andrea Bakewell Lowery, a preservationist with more than 20 years of experience, has served at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) most recently as chief of the agency's Division of Architecture and Preservation. She managed the budget for PHMC's capital improvements across the state and spearheaded the agency's master planning initiatives.

Lowery's portfolio includes managing the renovation and expansion of the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, rehabilitation of historic structures at Old Economy Village, and refurbishment of The State Museum of Pennsylvania for its 50th anniversary, culminating in its placement in the National Register of Historic Places. She is currently managing the design of the new Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg.

Lowery brings broad experience to the agency's diverse programs, having worked in both the private and public sectors as a preservation architect, architectural historian, and state preservation specialist. She has led a variety of projects, including assignments for the Architect of the Capitol, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the US General Services Administration, and Yale University. Lowery holds a bachelor's degree in history of art from Bryn Mawr College and a master's degree in architecture from the Ohio State University.