Events

Annual Dinner of the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum

  • April 10, 2024
  • DoubleTree Resort, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA
  • 6-9pm
  • $60/person
Green ferns and yellow and pink coneflowers.
Courtesy of Kevin Kelly.

Celebrate and gather with friends for the Annual Dinner of the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum! Join us on Wednesday, April 10 from 6 – 9pm at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Lancaster for an evening of fellowship and fun, benefitting the care and conservation of the Louise Arnold Tanger Arboretum at LancasterHistory.

The Annual Dinner begins at 6pm with cocktails, followed by a plated dinner at 6:30pm, and a program, awards, and raffle drawings around 7:30pm. We’re excited to welcome Penn State Master Gardener Kevin Kelly for a fascinating presentation, “In Love with Fabulous Ferns.” A description of the presentation is available below.

Tickets to attend the Annual Dinner for the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum are $60 per person. Ticket purchase includes access to the event, a plated dinner (salad, sides, main entree, and dessert), and the main presentation by Kevin Kelly. Raffle tickets may be purchased during the cocktail reception at 6pm with cash. Proceeds from the dinner and raffle benefit the care and conservation of the Tanger Arboretum.

Dinner includes: Salad with sun-dried cranberries, garden vegetables, & balsamic vinaigrette, herb roasted potatoes and seasonal roasted vegetables, main entree (chicken picatta OR grilled vegetables and pecorino cheese ravioli), and cheesecake with berries for dessert. It is a cash bar.

Purchase tickets to the Annual Dinner for the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum online or by calling (717) 392-4633, ext. 122. Any food allergies or special dietary needs should be communicated before the event to Cindy Madara at (717) 392-4633, ext. 122 or cindy.madara@lancasterhistory.org. RSVP by March 25, 2024. Reservations held upon receipt of payment.

RSVP ONLINE

If you are unable to attend the Annual Dinner and would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum, please click here.

An older man with light and brown hair. He wears glasses and a purple polo shirt.
Featured speaker Kevin Kelly

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Join Penn State Master Gardener Kevin Kelly for an in-depth presentation about outdoor gardening with ferns. Ferns are ancient plants that are typically underused in many outdoor plantings. Learn about how to make garden-worthy fern selections—with a focus on native, eastern North American varieties—and how to incorporate these fabulous plants into your garden!

A former Family Physician, Kelly has been a devoted gardener for over 35 years. His garden has won two blue ribbons from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and is a certified Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat Garden by the Pennsylvania Master Gardener Program, the Manada Conservancy, and the National Wildlife Federation.

Featured Event Fundraiser In-Person Event Off-Site Event

[SOLD OUT] Lancaster County Amish Quilts from the Esprit Quilt Collection

Photograph of a colorful quilt with multicolor squares forming a diamond within a square.
A Sunshine & Shadow and Diamond in the Square quilt.

TICKET UPDATE: As of March 4, both program timeslots are sold out and are not accepting a waiting list. Thank you for your interest!


Doug Tompkins, American businessman and co-founder of Esprit Clothing, assembled a large collection of Amish quilts including 82 made in Lancaster County between 1880 and 1950. Join us for a special Esprit Quilt showing to view a selection of these iconic quilts and learn more about their history, cultural significance, and the women who made them.

In Collections Up Close programs, LancasterHistory staff and visiting experts highlight documents, photos, and artifacts from LancasterHistory’s vast collections. In a conversational setting, participants will hear the stories of these objects and what they reveal to us about the history of Lancaster County and its place in American history.

“Lancaster County Amish Quilts from the Esprit Quilt Collection,” a Collections Up Close program, takes place on Saturday, March 23 with two presentations, one at 11am and one at 2pm, at LancasterHistory. Tickets are $10/LancasterHistory Members and $15/Non-Members.

In-Person Event Program

March 23, 2024 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 11am & 2pm $10 LH Members | $15 Non-Members

Nature Series: Exploring Climate & Health

A graphic featuring a headshot image of a man with light skin. He is bald with a mustache and wears glasses. He appears to be older; perhaps in his 70s.Join the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum as they kick off the 2024 Nature Series on Saturday, March 30 with “Exploring Climate & Health.” Presenter Dr. Alan Peterson, Emeritus Director of Environmental and Community Medicine for Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, will discuss the recent changes in the earth’s climate and how that impacts the health and lifespans of both humans and animals. From large-scale climate changes, such as the increase in global temperature to rising sea levels, to the increase in vector-borne diseases from ticks and mosquitos, attendees will become more knowledgeable about the climate challenges we face and what an individual can do to make the world a better place for themselves, their loved ones, and the natural world around them.

Dr. Alan Peterson has been the Emeritus Director of Environmental and Community Medicine for over 40 years at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He has over 50 years of experience as a family physician who has taught family medicine residents and cared for patients. Dr. Peterson received his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine. For over nine years, he’s given talks centered on climate and health and feels very passionate about educating others about the topic.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “Exploring Climate & Health,” will take place on Saturday, March 30 at 10am at LancasterHistory. Tickets are $5/Adult (18+) and $3/Child. 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 the program has limited capacity.

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.

In-Person Event Nature Series Program

March 30, 2024 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 10am $5/Adults | $3/Children (17 & Under) | FREE Friends of Tanger Arboretum Members

Unlawful, Immoral, & Corrupting: Censorship and the Lancaster Law and Order Society

Photograph of a pamphlet titled "The Moving Picture Menace" by Rev. Clifford Gray Twombly.For more than 40 years, Lancaster’s Law and Order Society made efforts to censor popular entertainment including magazines, comic books, and films. The Society aimed to keep Lancaster a “Clean and upstanding city,” free from immorality and vice. In this program, attendees will view items from LancasterHistory’s archives and learn more about how the Law and Order Society successfully waged campaigns to ban films and magazines in Lancaster.

In Collections Up Close programs, LancasterHistory staff and visiting experts highlight documents, photos, and artifacts from LancasterHistory’s vast collections. In a conversational setting, participants will hear the stories of these objects and what they reveal to us about the history of Lancaster County and its place in American history.

“Censorship and the Lancaster Law and Order Society,” a Collections Up Close program, takes place on Saturday, April 6 at 2pm at LancasterHistory. Tickets are $10/LancasterHistory Members and $15/Non-Members. Tickets can be purchased or reserved online or by calling (717) 392-4633. Capacity is limited, so advance registration is strongly recommended.

In-Person Event Program

April 6, 2024 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 2pm $10 LH Members | $15 Non-Members

Behind the Scenes: The Making of “Urban Legend”

Join Gregory J. Scott on Saturday, April 13 at 11am and/or 2pm for an author talk on his newest publication, Urban Legend: The Life and Legacy of C. Emlen Urban. Urban Legend highlights 25 of C. Emlen Urban’s architectural masterpieces, which left an indelible mark on the City of Lancaster. On the pages of this book, Scott shares insight he gathered over seven years of research—collecting from Urban’s personal travel diaries, sketchbooks, and linen drawings—tracking Urban’s progression and maturity through seventeen different design styles and eleven building types. Enjoy a 60-minute presentation featuring author Gregg Scott to learn “behind-the-scenes” information on how Urban Legend came to be! Historic artifacts belonging to Urban will also be on display, including Urban’s tail-coat, traveling trunk, and a selection of architectural drawings.

A headshot of a man with light skin. He wears a black turtleneck shirt with a gray blazer on top. His hands are clasped in front of him and he smiles at the camera.
Gregory J. Scott

Gregory J. Scott is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, partner emeritus at RLPS Architects, architectural columnist for Lancaster Newspaper LNP, recent architectural correspondent for Lancaster NBC affiliate WGAL, and twice recipient of the Journalist and Educator Award presented by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County. Gregg and his wife, Terri, reside in Northeast Harbor, ME, and Lancaster, PA. They have two children and two grandchildren. Gregg’s current board and community positions include the Hamilton Club, Northeast Harbor Neighborhood House, Mount Desert Island Housing Trust, and Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services advisor. He is also an Eagle Scout.

REGISTRATION
Presentations will take place on Saturday, April 13 at 11am and 2pm at LancasterHistory. Copies of Urban Legend will be available for purchase in LancasterHistory’s Museum Store. Customers may have their books signed or personalized by Scott after each presentation.

Presentations are free and open to the public, but require advance registration due to capacity availability. Sell out is likely, so advance registration is strongly encouraged.

REGISTER FOR THE 11AM PROGRAM

REGISTER FOR THE 2PM PROGRAM

Note for Registrants: Successful registrants will receive an email confirmation with their tickets after checking out. If you do not receive an email within 5-10 minutes of checking out, please check your junk/spam folders. If you receive no email, please contact LancasterHistory to verify your registration.

This event is an encore of presentations previously given at LancasterHistory.

Book Signing In-Person Event Lecture

April 13, 2024 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA Presentations at 11am and 2pm FREE | Advance Registration Required

Thaddeus Stevens & The Legacies of Reconstruction

Thaddeus Stevens fought for civil rights and democracy in the 19th century, but his impact has been felt far beyond the three Constitutional Amendments that he helped pass during the Reconstruction Era. Join LancasterHistory’s Dr. Mabel Rosenheck (Director of Education & Exhibition Planning) and Naomi Subotnick (Research & Curatorial Assistant) for a special tour that will explore LancasterHistory’s latest exhibition “Thieves & Vagabonds” as well as a pop-up exhibit of new historic artifact acquisitions that explore the social movements of the recent past.

A NAACP flyer informing readers about how they can learn about issues and candidates for elections.In Collections Up Close programs, LancasterHistory staff and visiting experts highlight documents, photos, and artifacts from LancasterHistory’s vast collections. In a conversational setting, participants will hear the stories of these objects and what they reveal to us about the history of Lancaster County and its place in American history. This specific program is part of a new initiative by LancasterHistory to collect materials that tell the long story of freedom, equality, and democracy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and around the nation from America’s founding to today. The Legacies of Reconstruction Collection will be held at LancasterHistory alongside 2 million other documents, photographs, books, and artifacts that tell the story of our community. It will bring our stories into dialogue with people, organizations, and movements of national significance and foster conversations about the meaning of freedom and equality today. To learn more about this initiative or about donating to it, please visit the Donate Objects webpage.

“Thaddeus Stevens & The Legacies of Reconstruction,” a Collections Up Close program, takes place on Saturday, April 20 with programs at 11am and 2pm at LancasterHistory. The event is free and open to the public but requires advance registration. Tickets can be reserved online or by calling (717) 392-4633. Capacity is limited, so advance registration is strongly recommended.

REGISTER FOR THE 11am PROGRAM

REGISTER FOR THE 2pm PROGRAM

In-Person Event Program

April 20, 2024 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA Programs at 11am and 2pm FREE | Registration Required

Nature Series: Spring Blooming Trees & Flowers

Graphic features a color photograph of an adult woman with light skin. She wears a deep green colored t-shirt and a baseball cap.Join the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum on Saturday, April 20 at 10am for “Spring Blooming Trees & Flowers!” Presenter Lisa Sanchez, a naturalist at the Lancaster County Department of Parks & Recreation Environmental Center, will explore what’s blooming in the spring at the Tanger Arboretum. Attendees will join Lisa for a walk about the Arboretum to see what’s blooming and learn more about these fresh and bright harbingers of spring.

Lisa J. Sanchez has been a naturalist at the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation Environmental Center for 30 years. Teaching students of all ages to explore and value the wonders of nature is her passion. She enjoys helping people reconnect with the earth through education and observation. Lisa can often be found in her garden or kayaking on the river.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “Spring Blooming Trees & Flowers,” will take place on Saturday, April 20 at 10am at LancasterHistory. Tickets are $5/Adult (18+) and $3/Child. 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 the program has limited capacity. The program will begin indoors before going outdoors to explore the grounds. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

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.

Family-Friendly In-Person Event Nature Series Outdoor Program

April 20, 2024 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 10am $5/Adults | $3/Children (17 & Under) | FREE Friends of Tanger Arboretum Members

2024 Annual Presidential Wreath Laying & Ceremony

Image of Buchanan's grave site in Woodward Hill Cemetery.Join us at Woodward Hill Cemetery for the Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony for President James Buchanan, the United States’ 15th President. Taking place in the week of Buchanan’s birthday, the ceremony features the laying of fresh flowers at the gravesite of the former president and remarks by the presiding officer of the Pennsylvania National Guard as well as local dignitaries.

On April 20, the ceremony and remarks will include the following individuals and groups:

  • Brigadier General Mark A. Goodwill will present the ceremonial wreath at the gravesite of James Buchanan;
  • The Lancaster Fencibles will fire a 21-gun salute;
  • A member of Masonic Lodge No. 43, James Buchanan’s lodge, will make brief remarks;
  • Boy Scout Troop 58 will conduct a pre-ceremony cleaning of the gravesite and plant new flowers as well as lead those assembled for the ceremony in the Pledge of Allegiance; and
  • The Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard will present a new American Flag for the gravesite and play Taps on the bugle.

This event is free and open to the public. No reservations are required. For directions to the Cemetery, please click here.

Brig. Gen. Mark A. Goodwill is the Assistant Adjutant General – Air for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He serves as the primary assistant and advisor to the Deputy Adjutant General-Air on all matters pertaining to air operations of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. General Goodwill is a Master Navigator with other specialties in maintenance and logistics. He has flown combat missions in operations DESERT STORM, NORTHERN WATCH, and ALLIED FORCE. Prior to assuming his current position, General Goodwill served as the Chief of Staff of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Dedication/Memorial In-Person Event Off-Site Event Outdoor

April 20, 2024 Woodward Hill Cemetery, 508 S. Queen St., Lancaster, PA 10am Free

Ellen and William Craft: A Love Story

On Tuesday, April 30, LancasterHistory is thrilled to welcome New York Times bestselling author Ilyon Woo for a talk about her latest book, Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom, at the Ware Center for the Performing Arts. Described as three epic journeys compressed into one monumental bid for freedom, Master Slave Husband Wife is a historical American love story—one that would challenge the nation’s core precepts of life, liberty, and justice for all—that challenges us even now.

A graphic with two images. The image on the left is the front cover of the book "Master Slave Husband Wife" by Illyon Woo. The image on the right is of Illyon Woo, a woman with light skin and long dark hair. She rests her arm on the back of a chair and looks off to the left of the photo.
The front cover of “Master Slave Husband Wife” (left) and author Ilyon Woo (right). Photo by Michael Wilson.

Named as a best book of 2023 by The New Yorker, Time, NPR, Smithsonian Magazine, and Oprah Daily, Master Slave Husband Wife tells the remarkable true story of Ellen and William Craft, who escaped slavery through daring, determination, and disguise, with Ellen passing as a wealthy, disabled white man and William posing as “his” slave. Posing as master and slave, while sustained by their love as husband and wife, they made their escape together across more than 1,000 miles, riding out in the open on steamboats, carriages, and trains that took them from bondage in Georgia to the free states of the North.

Along the way, they dodged slave traders, military officers, and even friends of their enslavers who might have revealed their true identities. The tale of their adventure soon made them celebrities and generated headlines around the country. Americans could not get enough of this charismatic young couple who traveled another 1,000 miles criss-crossing New England and drawing thunderous applause as they spoke alongside some of the greatest abolitionist luminaries of the day—among them Frederick Douglass and William Wells Brown.

But even then, they were not out of danger. With the passage of the infamous Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, all Americans became accountable for returning refugees like the Crafts to slavery. Then yet another adventure began as slave hunters came up from Georgia, forcing the Crafts to flee once again—this time from the United States–with their lives and thousands more on the line and the stakes never higher.

Ilyon Woo is the New York Times bestselling author of Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom and The Great Divorce: A Nineteenth-Century Mother’s Extraordinary Fight Against Her Husband, the Shakers, and Her Times. Her writing has appeared in The Boston GlobeThe Wall Street Journal, Time, and The New York Times. She has received support for her research from the Whiting Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Antiquarian Society, among other institutions. She holds a BA in the Humanities from Yale College and a PhD in English from Columbia University.

EVENT DETAILS & HOW TO REGISTER

This event is expected to take place in person at the Ware Center, 42 N. Prince Street in Lancaster, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

More information, including ticket pricing and registration, to come! Stay tuned for future updates. 

Please Note: In the Winter/Spring 2024 Programs & Exhibitions guidebook, this event is titled “Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom.” After the printing of the guidebook, this event title was altered but it is the same event.


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.

Book Signing In-Person Event Lecture Reception

April 30, 2024 The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince Str., Lancaster, PA 5pm Reception & Book Signing | 5:30pm Lecture More Information to Come!

Storytime [May 2, 2024]

Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature this May during Storytime! Each week, we’ll read aloud from a book centered on a historical or environmental topic, and then lead a craft or activity. This May, we’ll explore gardening, growing, and other springtime themes!

Book for May 2 to be decided. Please check back later!

Storytime is free, and registration is required 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. All attendees should abide by LancasterHistory’s Heath & Safety Protocols for Visitors. 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

May 2, 2024 LancasterHistory, 230 N President Avenue, Lancaster 10 - 11am FREE | Registration Required