History buffs and travelers alike may find the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's newly updated mobile website useful for finding interesting sites while on the go in the state. Smartphone users can go to PATrailsofHistory.com on their mobile web browser, click "Find What's Nearby," and locate historical markers and museums in close proximity.
"We chose to do a mobile-optimized site as opposed to an app," Director of External Affairs for the Commission, Howard Pollman said. "Our thinking was, well, not every smartphone will have your app on it but every smartphone has a browser, so it opens itself up to more people."
The mobile-optimized site was introduced last fall and featured museums and historical sites owned by the commonwealth. This year, Pennsylvania's blue and gold historical markers were added to the maps. Each year, the commission hopes to add more functionality.
"So maybe we'll add historic districts, or national historic landmarks, or even other sites that aren't state-owned that may appeal to visitors," Pollman said. "So we're looking at just rolling this out and really working this really great platform."
Pollman said the 25 state-owned historical sites are on the Trails of History website, along with more than 2,300 historical markers.
