Events: Open House

May First Friday Open House

Join us on Friday, May 2, for First Friday at the Stevens & Smith Center! From 5-7pm, enjoy a sneak peek of the Stevens & Smith Center, see the incredible progress happening at this future museum, and learn about the road ahead to opening in 2026.

This is one of a series of events throughout April and May to support the Stevens & Smith Center and its capital campaign. For a full list of upcoming events, please visit stevensandsmithcenter.org/events.

The First Friday Open House on May 2 is free and open to the public and does not require advance registration. This event is also family friendly; all ages are encouraged to attend. The event will take place at the Stevens & Smith Center, 45 S. Queen Street, Lancaster. Please use the entrance around the corner on East Vine Street.

This event has also been cross-posted to stevensandsmithcenter.org/events for ease of access.

Open House Family-Friendly Fundraiser In-Person Event Reception

May 2, 2025 The Stevens & Smith Center, 45 S. Queen Str., Lancaster 5-7pm FREE

County Founding Day 2025

Celebrate Lancaster County’s 296th Birthday on the Campus of History!

An illustration of a cat wearing a toga next to text "County Founding Day."On May 10, 1729, Lancaster County was born. Since then, 10 generations of Lancastrians have lived, laughed, loved, and eaten shoofly pie in our community. Join LancasterHistory for the annual County Founding Day celebration and lift a glass to everyone who has called Lancaster County home over the last 296 years. In addition to evening museum hours, the event will include special flash talks, access to exhibits, and kids activities.

County Founding Day will include:

  • Regional History Flash Talks: 15-minute talks from local researchers on a variety of topics;
  • Pop-Up Exhibits: Artifacts and documents will be on display in coordination with the flash talks;
  • Cake Wars: Area bakers will craft odes to Lancaster County in dessert form. Attendees will get to taste at least one of their creations.;
  • Kids Activity Area: Crafts and activities for children inside and outside if weather permits; and
  • Light Refreshments: Enjoy light bites, a specialty cocktail by Jimmy Juice (locally brewed in Pequea) and non-alcoholic options.

The speaker schedule will be posted in early May. Please check back later.

County will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 5:30-8pm. Tickets are $20 for Non-LancasterHistory Members and $15 for LancasterHistory Members aged 18 and older. Children 17 and under are free. (Children must be accompanied by a paying adult aged 18 or older.) Tickets are required so that space, cake, and activities can be guaranteed for all. To purchase tickets, click here to buy online or call (717) 392-4633 to purchase over the phone. Ticket purchase includes access to the event, light bites and a specialty cocktail*, cake, and access to a series of flash talks by local historians.

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*Must be 21 years or older with valid ID to consume alcoholic beverages. Non-alcoholic options will be available.

Want To Be A Part of County Founding Day?
Calling all local historians—and bakers! LancasterHistory’s annual County Founding Day celebration is coming on Thursday, May 8, and we want you to be part of it!  For County Founding Day 2025, we’re introducing two opportunities for Lancastrians to help us celebrate our community’s 296th birthday. Click here to learn more!

Open House Family-Friendly In-Person Event Reception

May 8, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 5:30 - 8pm $20 Non-Members | $15 Members | FREE for Children 17 and Under
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