Gov. Ed Rendell has distributed more than $3 million in grants to museums, historical groups and local governments, with the bulk of the grants in the category of "general operating support" to help nearly 170 groups with expenses.

The August Wilson Center for African American Culture and Mattress Factory each received $12,500. The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County received $11,500 and the municipality of Mt. Lebanon, $7,500, both for historic preservation, while the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh received $2,732 under the category of local history.

General operating support grants: Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Frick Art & Historical Center, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, National Aviary, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, $36,750; Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum Trust Inc., $34,300; Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, $21,640; and Steel Industry Heritage Corporation, $13,578.

Groups such as the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum and historical societies in Washington County and Westmoreland County also received grants.