Events: Program

Nature Series | Bats In PA: Acoustic Survey Techniques for ID & Conservation

  • January 25, 2025
  • LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster
  • 10am
  • $10/Adults | $5/Children (17 & Under) | FREE for Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Members
A graphic with the title of the program and an image of the speaker.

A graphic with the title of the program and an image of the speaker.Bats are more than seasonal, spooky décor! Bats are key indicators of the health of our ecosystems and provide pest control over problematic insect species. However, in Pennsylvania, seven species of bats are of conservation concern, with three species listed as endangered and two species actively protected by the Endangered Species Act. On Saturday, January 25, Millersville University’s Dr. Aaron Haines will kick off the first Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Nature Series program of 2025 with a presentation on remote acoustic survey efforts for bats, a cost-effective way to survey rare bats in Pennsylvania, and how to use recording devices to record bat vocalizations. Learn about the seven species of bats and how remote acoustic recording devices are an integral tool in evaluating these bat species under conservation with minimal human interference.

Dr. Aaron Haines is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and a Professor of Conservation Biology at Millersville University. He is also the Director of the Applied Conservation Lab at Millersville University. Haines has a B.S. in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech, an M.S. in Wildlife & Range Management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and a Ph.D. in Wildlife Science from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “Bats In PA” will take place on Saturday, January 25 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 In-Person Event Nature Series Program

Nature Series | Maple Sugaring

A graphic with the title of the program and an image of the speaker.On Saturday, February 1, join Lancaster County Park Senior Naturalist Lisa Sanchez for a ‘sweet’ Nature Series presentation on maple sugaring! Learn about the production of maple syrup and its importance to Indigenous peoples and European colonists, its role in food rationing during World War II, and its influence on our taste buds today. Explore the history of the tools and techniques used to produce maple syrup and learn all of the steps required to make maple syrup, from identifying trees to collecting and boiling the sap. You’ll also get to sample maple sugar candy!

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, “Maple Sugaring” will take place on Saturday, February 1 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!

In-Person Event Nature Series Program

February 1, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 10am $10/Adults | $5/Children (17 & Under) | FREE for Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Members

In The Spirit of Lydia

An African-American woman is dressed in period costume in front of a large gravestone.
Darlene Colon as Lydia Hamilton Smith.

Following the inaugural wreath-laying for Lydia Hamilton Smith, join LancasterHistory for a reception and family-friendly program with an appearance by Lydia herself! Children–and adults–will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about Smith’s life and times from Darlene Colon who has been interpreting the life of this remarkable Lancastrian for over two decades.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is appreciated so we can accommodate everyone. This program is suitable for all ages, and will be held at LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Avenue, from 2-4pm on Saturday, February 8.

To register for this program, please click here to register online or call 717.392.4633 to register over the phone.

Family-Friendly In-Person Event Living History Program

February 8, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 2-4pm FREE | Registration Requested

Be A Revolution: A Discussion on the Past, Present, and Future of Education In Our Community

A colorful book cover for "Be A Revolution" by Ijeoma Oluo.Thaddeus Stevens’ proudest accomplishment was his successful advocacy for free public education in Pennsylvania. He argued that education was vital to democracy because in a democracy every citizen must make informed decisions about the issues that shape their lives. But education has never been accessible for everyone in our community. As Ijeoma Oluou writes in Be A Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World – and How You Can Too: “Education is powerful and capable of powerful good. And it is because of this that white supremacy has worked so hard to keep it out of our hands.”

Join Crispus Attucks Community Center’s Young Professionals of Color Network and LancasterHistory’s Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy on Thursday, February 13 at 5:30pm for a discussion of race and education in America. We will extend the conversations begun in Oluo’s keynote address at the 37th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and explore the past, present, and future of education in our community. A selection from Be A Revolution will be shared with participants to read ahead of the discussion.

This inclusive event is free and welcomes participants of all ages and backgrounds who wish to engage in constructive dialogue. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive behavior to ensure a respectful environment for all attendees.

To register, please complete and submit the form below. If you have any questions, please contact Mabel Rosenheck, Director of Education and Exhibition Planning at LancasterHistory, (mabel.rosenheck@lancasterhistory.org) or Arelis Perez, VP of Economic Empowerment at Community Action Partnership (aperez@caplanc.org). A link to the reading materials will be included in your confirmation email. If you have registered and do not receive a confirmation email with a link to the material, please contact info@lancasterhistory.org.

Register for Event

For Educators In-Person Event Program Reception

February 13, 2025 The Stevens & Smith Center, 45 S. Queen Street, Lancaster 5:30pm Reception | 6pm Discussion FREE | Registration Required

History Happy Hour at Decades

A view looking down on the arcade, restaurant, and bowling alley areas of Decades.
The interior of Decades Lancaster. Courtesy Decades Lancaster.

What do Super Mario, March Madness, and the National Guard have in common? They’re all part of the history of the Stahr Armory, which is now home to Decades Lancaster, the host for this spring’s History Happy Hour!

Join LancasterHistory for specialty drinks and light bites while we explore the history of a building that has been home to Lancaster’s military reserves, the Lancaster Red Roses basketball team, and the area’s best vintage arcade!

History Happy Hour will take place on Monday, March 10 from 5:30-7:30pm at Decades Lancaster, 438 North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.

Stay tuned for more information, including a date for when tickets will be released!

In-Person Event Off-Site Event Program

March 10, 2025 Decades Lancaster, 438 N. Queen St., Lancaster 5:30 - 7:30pm Details Forthcoming!

Nature Series | These Plants Are For The Birds

A graphic with the title of the program and an image of the speaker.As we emerge from winter and into spring, its time to combine two common interests for nature lovers: gardening and birding! Join the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum on Saturday, March 29 as we welcome presenter Holly List for “These Plants Are For The Birds!” Learn about how we can share our landscape with birds, pursuing plants that support our feathered friends while providing seasonal interest and joy to our homes and community. Plus, get tips on how to ID common resident birds as well as those migrating through our area.

Holly List is a long-time gardener and an avid bird watcher who gardens to attract and support birds. List loves helping others pursue similar interests and enjoys sharing research, trends, and best practices to support everyone’s love of nature. List is a Master Gardener Emerita. She is an experienced business educator and is retired from banking and consulting. List lives with her husband and cat in Willow Street, PA.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “These Plants Are For The Birds” will take place on Saturday, March 29 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!

In-Person Event Nature Series Program

March 29, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 10am $10/Adults | $5/Children (17 & Under) | FREE for Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Members

The 2025 Annual Dinner of the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum

Celebrate and gather with friends for the Annual Dinner of the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum! Join us on Wednesday, April 16 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.

More information and tickets forthcoming!

Fundraiser In-Person Event Off-Site Event Program Reception

April 16, 2025 DoubleTree Resort, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA 6-9pm

Nature Series | The Art & Cultivation of Bonsai

A graphic with the title of the program and an image of the speaker.On Saturday, April 26, learn all about the tiny but mighty bonsai with Millersville University’s Dr. Ryan Wagner! Whether you’re new to bonsai or are an experienced bonsai caretaker, get tips on the “dos” and “don’ts” of bonsai with special attention to aesthetics and improving general health. At this presentation, you’ll discover the history of bonsai and the different inspirational styles, while fostering an appreciation of the diversity of bonsai design. Plus, experience a live demonstration of techniques used to develop and shape bonsai.

Dr. Ryan Wagner is a Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Biology at Millersville University.  Before joining the faculty at MU, Wagner completed his post-doctoral work at Iowa State University in Ames, IA, and his Ph.D. at Washington State University in Pullman, WA, where he studied plant physiology. Having grown up in South Dakota, Wagner has long held an interest in all botanical areas, including the horticultural art of bonsai. After joining the regional Lancaster Bonsai Society in 2005, Wagner experienced rapid growth in both his horticultural and artistic development as applied to bonsai. Wagner has given numerous lectures aimed at introducing bonsai to the public and to provide newcomers and experienced bonsai artists alike with practical information aimed at developing/improving their creations.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “The Art & Cultivation of Bonsai” will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 10-11:30am 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!

Demonstration In-Person Event Nature Series Program

April 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

Nature Series | Empowering Community Climate Resilience

A graphic with the title of the program and an image of the speaker.Feeling overwhelmed by climate anxiety? Feeling isolated in your search for climate action? Building strong communities around climate resilience can help! Join the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum on Saturday, May 10 as we welcome Aidan Fife, Director of Community Engagement at RegenAll, to learn about the ways to get involved with your community that can provide hope and agency in the face of climate change. Discover actionable steps, like making home energy improvements or joining RegenAll’s Climate Action Neighborhood program, listen to stories of climate hope, and find ways to make climate action feel tangible, actionable, and possible.

Aidan Fife has a passion for ecology, regenerative agriculture, and education. After international experience with the Peace Corps and work at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, DC, Aidan returned to Lancaster where he shifted his focus locally to find ways for Lancastrians to collaborate to build better soils, community, and climate resilience. He serves as the Director of Community Engagement at RegenAll, a Lancaster-based non-profit dedicated to organizing and working collaboratively with communities and individuals toward local climate solutions. When Aidan isn’t inside dreaming of a vibrant regenerative future, you can find him out on nearby farms planting fruit and nut trees on pasture.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “Empowering Community Climate Resilience” will take place on Saturday, May 10 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!

In-Person Event Nature Series Program

May 10, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 10am $10/Adults | $5/Children (17 & Under) | FREE for Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Members

Nature Series | Creeks & Critters

A graphic with the title of the program and an image of the speaker.Summer is a fantastic time to explore life in our local creeks. On Saturday, June 7, Lancaster County Park Senior Naturalist Lisa Sanchez will bring the creek to LancasterHistory for our Nature Series program, “Creeks & Critters!” Examine various “critters” representing a sample of life from a creek and learn about the life cycle of the many insects that begin their lives in the water. Aquatic insects, such as dragonflies, mosquitoes, and mayflies, play a valuable role in our ecosystems and help tell us a lot about the quality of the water and the health of our creeks and streams.

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, “Creeks & Critters” will take place on Saturday, June 7 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!

Family-Friendly In-Person Event Nature Series Program

June 7, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 10am $10/Adults | $5/Children (17 & Under) | FREE for Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Members