Events: Open House

County Founding Day Open House

Celebrate Lancaster County’s 295th Birthday on the Campus of History!

An illustration of a cat wearing a toga next to text "County Founding Day."
LancasterHistory’s History Explorer’s program mascot, Harpo, dressed as Lady Justice.

On May 10, 1729, Governor Patrick Gordon granted a county charter to local citizens to create what would become Lancaster County. Join us on May 9 from 5-8pm (technically County Founding Day Eve!) as we celebrate 295 years of Lancaster County with extended museum hours and special tours of our major exhibit, Thieves & Vagabonds, which tells the story of the county’s origins and the complex history of law and justice in our community.

Open House activities include:

  • Curator’s Tours of Thieves & Vagabonds: A History of Law and Justice in Lancaster County, LancasterHistory’s latest major exhibition at 5:30 and 7pm;
  • “1729: The Year Lancaster Went Legit,” an illustrated presentation of Lancaster County’s geography by Ben Webber, Manheim Township Historical Society President, around 6pm;
  • Uncharted Lancaster Scavenger Hunt for the Campus of History, an activity for all ages;
  • Debut of “Harpo’s History Explorer’s Activity Sheet: Thieves & Vagabonds Edition,” an activity for kids based on the Thieves & Vagabonds exhibition; and
  • Birthday cake cutting around 6:30pm! Happy Birthday, Lancaster County!

Tickets for County Founding Day Open House are $10/Adults (18+), $8/Seniors (65+), $5 (Students 11-17 or with College ID), and free for children 10 and under. LancasterHistory Members receive complimentary admission!

Please register for tickets to the County Founding Day Open House online or by calling 717.392.4633. Registration is required so we have enough activities and cake for all!

PURCHASE TICKETS

Open House Family-Friendly In-Person Event

May 9, 2024 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 5-8pm $10 - FREE
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Stevens & Smith Center Ceremonial Groundbreaking

A vibrant contemporary photo of historic brick buildings along a road.
The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy on the corner of South Queen and Vine Streets in Lancaster City.

Join LancasterHistory for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy on Monday, May 13, 2024! The event will begin at 9am in Commons on Vine in the Lancaster County Convention Center with coffee and pastries, followed by remarks from local dignitaries. After remarks, the public is invited to tour the Stevens & Smith Center for behind-the-scenes looks at the space before construction officially begins.

This event is free and open to the public, but requires registration and space is limited.

Register Online for the Groundbreaking

Registrations may also be made over the phone by calling 717.392.4633.

Parking for the event is available at local garages for a fee, including the Penn Square Garage at 28 S. Duke Street.

This event has also been cross-posted to stevensandsmithcenter.org.

Open House Dedication/Memorial Family-Friendly In-Person Event Off-Site Event Tour Reception

May 13, 2024 Commons on Vine, Lancaster County Convention Center 9am - 11am FREE | Registration Required
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“Dutchirican” Open House & Curator Tours

Join us for special evening hours to celebrate the exhibition, Dutchirican: A Latinx History of Central Pennsylvania! Visitors will be able to view the special exhibit and talk to curators Dr. Ivette Guzmán-Zavala and Dr. John Hinshaw of Lebanon Valley College about their research into when, how, and why Latinx peoples have moved to Central Pennsylvania over the last 75 years.

More information to come! Please check back later.

Open House Family-Friendly In-Person Event Reception

June 27, 2024 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 5-8pm More Details To Come!