Events

Butterflies & Moths As Pollinators

  • July 26, 2025
  • LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster
  • 10-11:30am
  • $10/Adults | $5/Children (17 & Under) | FREE for Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Members
A woman with light skin and mid-length blonde hair. She wears glasses, butterfly earrings, and a blue button up shirt.
Debra Carman

Discover the worlds of some of our favorite pollinators, butterflies and moths, at July’s Nature Series program! Master Gardener Deb Carman will present on the niche that lepidopterans (butterflies and moths) occupy among other insect pollinators. Learn about the similarities and differences between dazzling butterflies and marvelous moths, as well as what native plants attract certain species.

Debra Carman is a Penn State Master Gardener (York County), Chair of the Native Plant Habitat Committee, and a butterfly and moth habitat specialist. Carmon’s mission is to inspire others to make positive environmental changes in their gardening practices. She enjoys teaching the importance of creating environmentally friendly habitats with native plants that foster food webs for all wildlife.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “Butterflies & Moths As Pollinators” will take place on Saturday, July 26 at 10am at LancasterHistory. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $10/Adults and $5/Children (17 & Under). Friends of the Tanger Arboretum members receive complimentary admission, but should still register for the program. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (717) 392-4633. Advance tickets recommended as walk-in tickets are not guaranteed.

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

Membership gets you more! Membership to the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum not only supports the care and conservation of this local natural resource, but also gets you great benefits such as complimentary admission to Nature Series programs! Learn more about membership and sign up today here.

The Friends of the Tanger Arboretum is a member of the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission Program. AHS Reciprocal Admission Program members may register for tickets in advance and must show a valid membership card upon checking in. AHS Members should contact Emily Miller, emily.miller@lancasterhistory.org, with any questions or to register for tickets in advance.

This event is hosted by the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum. The Friends of the Tanger Arboretum, a subsidiary organization of LancasterHistory, helps foster public interest in, and support for, the maintenance and development of the Tanger Arboretum as a community asset. To learn more about the Arboretum or to become a member, please visit the Arboretum’s webpage.

 

The 2025 Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Nature Series is sponsored by Ever Green Tree & Lawn Care! Thank you for your support!

Featured Event Family-Friendly In-Person Event Nature Series Program

July Storytime | “Sofia Valdez, Future Prez”

Book cover for "Sofia Valdez, Future Prez."

Gather ’round for Storytime each Thursday this July! Each week, we’ll read aloud from a book centered on a historical theme or story, followed by a craft or activity inspired by that week’s book. For July 24, we’ll be reading Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty (Illustrated by David Roberts).

Children who join Sofia in her story will learn that they can help their community—or even one day become president of the United States! Every morning, Abuelo walks Sofia to school . . . until one day when Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill, and he can no longer do so. Sofia (aka Sofi) misses her Abuelo and wonders what she can do about the dangerous Mount Trashmore. Then she gets an idea: The town can turn the slimy mess into a park! She brainstorms and plans and finally works up the courage to go to City Hall—only to be told by a clerk that she can’t build a park because she’s just a kid! Sofia is down but not out, and she sets out to prove what one kid can do. (Abrams Books)

Storytime is free, and registration is requested to ensure we have craft supplies for everyone. Storytime is designed for young readers, ages 2-6, but older and younger siblings or friends are welcome to attend. Register for all Storytime programs or individual programs online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633.

Storytime will take place outdoors unless it rains, in which case it will be moved indoors. We kindly ask that at least one (1) adult 18 years or older attend for every household.

Children's Program Family-Friendly In-Person Event Outdoor

July 24, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 10-11am FREE | Registration Requested
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July Storytime | “Acorn Was A Little Wild”

Book cover of "Acorn Was A Little Wild" featuring an illustration of an anthropomorphic acorn falling through the leaves.Gather ’round for Storytime each Thursday this July! Each week, we’ll read aloud from a book centered on a historical theme or story, followed by a craft or activity inspired by that week’s book. For July 31, we’ll be reading Acorn Was A Little Wild by Jen Arena (Illustrated by Jessica Gibson).

When Acorn jumps off the oak tree, he finds a wide world full of exciting new experiences! A charming picture book about a young acorn’s grand adventure and the incredible transformation that follows. (Scholastic Books)

Storytime is free, and registration is requested to ensure we have craft supplies for everyone. Storytime is designed for young readers, ages 2-6, but older and younger siblings or friends are welcome to attend. Register for all Storytime programs or individual programs online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633.

Storytime will take place outdoors unless it rains, in which case it will be moved indoors. We kindly ask that at least one (1) adult 18 years or older attend for every household.

Children's Program Family-Friendly In-Person Event Outdoor

July 31, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 10-11am FREE | Registration Requested
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Wheatland “At Your Own Pace”

McMaster’s portrait of Buchanan hanging above the mantle in Wheatland’s parlor. (Courtesy of Larry Lefever Photography)

Explore President James Buchanan’s Wheatland at your own pace. On this self-guided tour, you can explore the President’s home and see what you want for as long as you want. Tour guides will be stationed around the mansion to provide visitors with information about the spaces, objects, and people who once called Wheatland home.

At-Your-Own-Pace tours are great for families (pick up a scavenger hunt from reception on your way in!) and those who want to take their time viewing the mansion in contrast to our regular ‘guided tour’ experience. Spend as little or as much time (within operating hours!) as you’d like in President Buchanan’s beloved home.

“Go-At-Your-Own-Pace” Tours are only available on Saturday, August 2. Entry times are every 30 minutes from 10am (first tour entry) until 3pm (last tour entry). Ticket purchase also includes self-guided access to LancasterHistory’s museum exhibitions. Tickets are $17/Adult (14+), $15/Senior (65+), $10/Youth (6-13), and free for children 5 and under. LancasterHistory Members receive complimentary admission. This tour is eligible for our Museums for All rate!

To purchase tickets in advance, please go online or call (717) 392-4633. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.

At Your Own Pace Tour Family-Friendly In-Person Event Tour

August 2, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA Tour Entry Every 30 Minutes, 10am - 3pm FREE/Members | $17/Adults (18+) | $15/Seniors (65+) | $10 (11-College ID)
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Getting Started With DNA

DNA is a powerful tool and, when paired with archival records, it can help answer many research questions about family history. On Saturday, August 16, Donna Backus, a genealogist with decades of experience, will cover the basics of DNA and how to use ancestry.com and other tools to learn more about your heritage.

Although there are no prerequisites for this workshop, it is recommended that prior to attending you have had your DNA analyzed, have an online family tree that dates back at least to second great-grandparents, and have linked your DNA results to yourself on your online tree. 

Donna Backus is a family genealogist and historian who has been conducting research for over fifty years. She has presented for genealogy groups throughout Lancaster County and spends her spare time keeping up to date on the latest technology associated with genealogy and family research. 

“Getting Started With DNA” will take place on Saturday, August 16 from 10-11:30am at LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster. Tickets are $20 for LancasterHistory Members and $25 for Non-Members. Advance registration is encouraged as the class has limited capacity. To register, please click here to register online or call (717) 392-4633 to register over the phone.

Class In-Person Event Workshop

August 16, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 10-11:30am $25/Non-Members | $20 Members
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Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania

A graphic with two images. On the left is a headshot of a middle-aged man with a bald head wearing a green button up shirt. The right image is of the book cover of "Cradle of Conservation."
(left) Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward (right) The book cover of “Cradle of Conservation.”

The environmental history of Pennsylvania includes William Penn’s instruction to “leave one acre of tree for every five acres cleared” and the 1971 ratification of the Environmental Rights Amendment as well as today’s debates over fracking and the threat of climate change. Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward of Shippensburg University will share his survey of the “working landscapes” of Pennsylvania and Lancaster County from the 17th century to the present.

Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward is a professor of history and director of The Graduate School at Shippensburg University. His first book, Beyond Rust: Metropolitan Pittsburgh and the Fate of Industrial America, won the 2016 Arline Custer Memorial Award from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference. His second book, Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania, is now available from Temple University Press. He is the past president of the Pennsylvania Historical Association, former editor of the Pennsylvania History Series, and a board member of PA Humanities.

EVENT DETAILS & HOW TO REGISTER

This event will take place in person at LancasterHistory on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Doors open and a reception begins at 5pm. The lecture will begin at 5:30pm. The lecture will also be livestreamed to Zoom at 5:30pm for those who wish to join us virtually.

This program is free and open to the public. In-person attendance requires advance registration in order to guarantee a seat. Due to capacity restrictions, tickets may not be available at the door. Virtual attendance requires advance registration in order to receive the Zoom link. The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants before the event. Register online by clicking the appropriate link below or by calling (717) 392-4633. The online version of this program will also be recorded and uploaded to LancasterHistory’s YouTube channel after the event.

REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON

REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE

By purchasing a ticket to our facility and/or program, you are agreeing to our Admissions & Programs Terms and Conditions.

Membership Makes History Happen! Your membership enables us to bring dynamic speakers to LancasterHistory and gives you other exciting benefits! Learn more about becoming a member of LancasterHistory or renewing your membership today.

In-Person Event Lecture Reception

August 21, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 5pm Reception | 5:30pm Lecture FREE | Registration Required

Music on the Lawn, feat. The Jordan Rast Trio

A black and white photo of three young men with various string guitar instruments.
The Jordan Rast Trio

Music on the Lawn returns this summer with more fantastic local bands in James Buchanan’s backyard! This family- (and dog-) friendly event welcomes attendees to relax and enjoy an evening outdoors with live music. August’s concert features The Jordan Rast Trio playing bluegrass, country, and Americana music.

Tickets are free for LancasterHistory Members, $10/Adult (18+) Non-Members, and free for Children 17 & Under. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (717) 392-4633. Tickets are also available at-the-door with cash or card (cash preferred).

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets, foldable chairs, and picnics. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. If you require any special accommodations to attend, please notify Annie Weeks at (717) 392-4633, ext. 134 or annie.weeks@lancasterhistory.org in advance. Restrooms available onsite.

 

Many Thanks to Our 2025 Music on the Lawn Season Sponsors!

A graphic with the sponsor logos of Mosaic by Willow Valley Communities, Ville Painters, EHD, and Yurchak Printing.

Family-Friendly In-Person Event Outdoor

August 23, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 5-7pm FREE/LancasterHistory Members | $10/Non-Member Adults (18+) | FREE/Children 17 & Under
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Thyme to Grow: A Guide to Herb Gardening

A young woman with light skin and short brown hair. She wears glasses and a purple dress with a green cardigan in front of a greenhouse.
Madison Walter

Join the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum as we welcome August Nature Series presenter Madison Walter for “Thyme to Grow: A Guide to Herb Gardening.” Discover the wonderful world of herbs in this hands-on program. Explore various herb types, learn essential care techniques, and delve into the best practices for growing, harvesting, and preserving your herbs. Whether you are a beginner or looking to grow your green thumb, you’ll leave with practical skills and a new appreciation for our flavorful friends!

Madison Walter is the urban agriculture coordinator for the New Castle Conservation District, chair of the Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition, and a content developer and guest instructor for Longwood Gardens’ Continuing Education program. Leveraging her background in horticulture and Master’s Degree in Environmental Education, Madison has presented to local, national, and international audiences to build an understanding of how connections developed through farming and gardening build stronger communities. Her passion for plants and an equitable local food system are what drive her to encourage others to believe in a brighter, greener future.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “Thyme to Grow” will take place on Saturday, August 23 at 10am at LancasterHistory. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $10/Adults and $5/Children (17 & Under). Friends of the Tanger Arboretum members receive complimentary admission, but should still register for the program. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (717) 392-4633. Advance tickets recommended as walk-in tickets are not guaranteed.

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

Membership gets you more! Membership to the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum not only supports the care and conservation of this local natural resource, but also gets you great benefits such as complimentary admission to Nature Series programs! Learn more about membership and sign up today here.

The Friends of the Tanger Arboretum is a member of the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission Program. AHS Reciprocal Admission Program members may register for tickets in advance and must show a valid membership card upon checking in. AHS Members should contact Emily Miller, emily.miller@lancasterhistory.org, with any questions or to register for tickets in advance.

This event is hosted by the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum. The Friends of the Tanger Arboretum, a subsidiary organization of LancasterHistory, helps foster public interest in, and support for, the maintenance and development of the Tanger Arboretum as a community asset. To learn more about the Arboretum or to become a member, please visit the Arboretum’s webpage.

 

The 2025 Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Nature Series is sponsored by Ever Green Tree & Lawn Care! Thank you for your support!

Children's Program Family-Friendly In-Person Event Nature Series Program

August 23, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 10-11:30am $10/Adults | $5/Children (17 & Under) | FREE for Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Members
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Wine & Cheese and A Walk in the Trees

Join the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum for a delightful, late summer social! Enjoy refreshing drinks and light bites while taking a leisurely stroll through the many stately trees in the Tanger Arboretum. There will be a brief presentation about the Tanger Arboretum alongside member-led tours of the Arboretum throughout the evening.

5

Member Event - Arboretum Outdoor Tour Reception

September 5, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 5-7pm

Mr. Buchanan’s Coachman

A black and green colored carriage with four large wheels.
James Buchanan’s Carriage

Learn about James Buchanan’s coachmen: the men who represented him in public and transported him from place to place in his horse-drawn carriage. In addition to learning about who these people were, visitors will also explore the social and practical importance of coachmen in a time before automobiles.

Mr. Buchanan’s Coachman, a special guided tour of Wheatland, will be held on Saturday, September 6. Tours will be available on the hour, beginning at 10am and continuing until the last tour at 3pm. Please Note: These tours are not our regular General Admission tours and will be more focused on a particular topic than a general history of Buchanan and the home.

Tickets are available for purchase online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633. Advance reservations are highly recommended as tours may sell out and walk-in tickets may not be available. Members receive complimentary admission, but should reserve their tickets in advance to guarantee the tour time of their choice.

In-Person Event Tour

September 6, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Avenue, Lancaster Tours from 10am - 3pm FREE/Members | $17/Adults (18+) | $15/Seniors (65+) | $10 (11-College ID)
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