Blog

The Voice & The Silk Gown: Marian Anderson’s Visit to J.P. McCaskey High School

From Notes From The Library

This month, LancasterHistory examines the intricate workings of women’s historical fashion—highlighting the versatile designs, patterns, fabrics, and accessories throughout the centuries with a local touch. One garment that stands out in this examination has an international, national, and local story etched in its silk. Famed opera singer Marian Anderson came to Lancaster County in 1947 […]

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Lancaster County Historical Society Member Badge and Ribbon

From Object Lessons

Founding and Growth Organized in 1886 and incorporated in 1901, the Lancaster County Historical Society (precursor to LancasterHistory) got off to a rather rough start. After holding thirteen meetings between 1886 and 1887, the Society would not hold another meeting until 1896. A revitalized Society held regular monthly meetings on Friday afternoons at 2:00 pm. […]

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Spencer F. Wilkerson: The 7th Ward Undertaker

From Notes From The Library

We have all been asked at least once in our childhood the cliché question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The images our seven-year-old minds usually conjure are of doctors in white lab coats, firefighters pulling cats out of trees, or our favorite second grade teacher. These careers we dreamt of […]

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A President’s Razor & The Tragedy at Lafayette Square

From Object Lessons

Article written by Patrick Clarke Edited by Emily Miller John Henry William Bonitz was born in Germany ca. 1840.  He immigrated to the United States in 1850 and by 1856, at the age of 16, he landed a job as a messenger clerk for the Secretary of War, Mr. Jefferson Davis. William’s son, Frederich, would […]

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Meet LancasterHistory’s Summer Intern Class of 2023

From LancasterHistory News

This summer, LancasterHistory welcomed five undergraduate students into our NEH Summer Internship Program. We also welcomed two students who worked exclusively on projects relating to the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History & Democracy. Starting in early June, the interns worked on various individual projects, participated in workshops, and travelled to other […]

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James Buchanan’s White House China

From Object Lessons

On the afternoon of April 19, 2023, I attended the inurnment ceremony of a relative at Arlington National Cemetery. Knowing I would be staying in the Washington D.C. area, I reached out to the office of Congressman Lloyd Smucker to see if I could participate in a public tour of the White House in the […]

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