Community Calendar
The Community Calendar
A central part of LancasterHistory’s mission is to support the needs and interests of history-oriented organizations in our region and to bring into greater focus the extraordinary opportunities for learners of all ages to experience America’s past in Lancaster County and the surrounding region. LancasterHistory is proud to provide this Community Calendar to highlight upcoming events of history-focused institutions and organizations. Looking for LancasterHistory’s main events calendar? View events calendar.
How To Submit An Event
If you are an authorized representative of a Lancaster County-based, history-focused institution or organization, please fill out our Community Calendar Submission form to submit your event for inclusion on this webpage. Before submitting, however, we highly recommend you review our Community Calendar Guidelines [PDF, 217kb]. A LancasterHistory staff member moderates this Community Calendar. Questions about this calendar can be directed to info@lancasterhistory.org. Submit Event to Community Calendar COMMUNITY CALENDAR GUIDELINES [PDF, 217KB]
Calendar Guidelines & Disclaimers
Each submission will be reviewed and must be in compliance with our Community Calendar Guidelines [PDF, 217kb]. LancasterHistory will do its best to make sure all information on this calendar is correct and up-to-date. Despite our efforts, some information may be incorrect or may have been submitted incorrectly to us. We apologize for any inconvenience. Listings below may contain URLs to other organizations’ or institutions’ websites or ticketing pages, or other third-party URLs. These URLs do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of LancasterHistory and are for informational purposes only. LancasterHistory is not responsible for those URLs, the content found on those webpages being linked to, or those website’s privacy policies and policies on collecting data.
Living the Experience
Who: Living the Experience
When: Saturday, November 7 | 11am
Where: Bethel AME Church Cultural Center, 512 E Strawberry St., Lancaster
Cost: Click Here to Purchase Tickets
One of Lancaster County’s most moving and powerfully significant hidden gems, Living the Experience is a creative, spiritual, and interactive historical reenactment of the Underground Railroad, as it occurred on-site, at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in the City of Lancaster. Living The Experience (LTE) is the first Underground Railroad reenactment in Central Pennsylvania made available with a regular schedule of performances. It has been presented to groups from all over the nation, and as far away as Australia, Alaska, Africa, and Europe. This Underground Railroad living history program is presented interactively in first person interpretation in an effort to bring alive the people, places, and events of Lancaster. The program actively engages its audiences in the learning of Lancaster’s involvement in the Underground Railroad and also its involvement as a free community of Africans.
To learn more about this event and how to purchase tickets, please click here.
African American Heritage Walking Tours (Downtown Lancaster)
Who: African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania
When: Saturday, November 7 | 11am
Where: City of Lancaster Visitor Center, 38 Penn Square, Lancaster
Cost: Click Here to Purchase Tickets
This tour is focused on the Underground Railroad and includes four authenticated Underground Railroad sites. Because the Underground Railroad was by necessity secret, uncovering the details of its existence has required a great deal of detective work. This tour includes the latest research and recent discoveries which further reveal the rich fabric of African American history in Lancaster before and after the Civil War.
This tour is offered at 11 AM and again at 2PM. Please visit the organization’s Tours page to view details and purchase tickets. Uncover the hidden history of the Underground Railroad in Lancaster, featuring four authenticated sites and the look into African American resistance and resilience before and after the Civil War.
Questions? Contact our Tour Coordinator, Sylvia Cavanaugh, at Tours@aahsscpa.org
“Rattlesnake Colonel: Thomas Cresap, An American Paradox”
Who: Millersville Area Historical Society
When: Saturday, November 14 | Doors open at 8:30am | 9am-10am Presentation
Where: 100 Municipal Drive, Millersville Borough Administration & Police Building
Cost: Free & Open to the Public
“Rattlesnake Colonel: Thomas Cresap, An American Paradox” is the title of the next Millersville Area Historical Society talk, which will be presented at 9 a.m. Saturday, November 14. Open to the public without charge, it will take place in the Millersville Borough Administration & Police Building, 100 Municipal Drive.
Author Michael Maloney, a local history buff from York County, will be the speaker. His PowerPoint presentation, the story of one of Colonial America’s most intriguing and influential figures, explores the challenges Thomas Cresap faced, the alliances he forged, and the often-misunderstood legacy he left behind. From his involvement in the border war between Pennsylvania and Maryland to his contributions in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, Cresap’s story is one of adventure, controversy, and lasting impact. He helped shape the frontier and furthered America’s westward expansion through his personal relationships with some of the most influential men of his time. A Q & A session will close the talk.
Maloney’s interests, besides local history, include genealogy, camping, and working with stained glass. Now retired, the Red Lion resident was, for many years, the director of IT Technical Services for Lifetime Brands (the former Pfaltzgraff Company).
Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more details, please contact Phil Gerber at 717.872.8837 before noon or at pge8507@aol.com.
African American Heritage Walking Tours (South-East Lancaster)
Who: African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania
When: Saturday, November 14 | 11am
Where: Crispus Attucks Community Center, 407 Howard Ave, Lancaster
Cost: Click Here to Purchase Tickets
The Southeast Area tour highlights that liberation is up to African Americans, whose experiences represent a complex connection to their past—both the trauma of enslavement and the resilience of their heritage. This tour brings to life the triumph of the African American community as it built a culture of service, faith, and social activism, alongside the tragedy of Urban Renewal, which saw the demolition of 14 square blocks of thriving businesses, churches, and civic associations. The fabric of the community was ruptured as individual homes were replaced with public housing and vibrant community spaces were obliterated. This tour also traces the life stream and economic castration of that community, which was attacked by the policy of Urban Renewal, but which has not been forgotten or erased.
This tour is offered at 11 AM and again at 2PM. Please visit the organization’s Tours page to view details and purchase tickets. Uncover the hidden history of the Underground Railroad in Lancaster, featuring four authenticated sites and the look into African American resistance and resilience before and after the Civil War.
Questions? Contact our Tour Coordinator, Sylvia Cavanaugh, at Tours@aahsscpa.org
History of Marietta According to Mrs. Jane Tucker
Who: African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania
When: Sunday, November 15 | 3pm-4pm
Where: Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 1100 E Orange St, Lancaster
Cost: Free & Open to the Public
Before her passing, longtime Marietta resident Mrs. Jane Tucker sat down with Neicy DeShields-Moulton to share her memories of growing up in Marietta, Lancaster County, and the people, places, and experiences that shaped her community. Through Mrs. Tucker’s recorded oral history, Neicy brings her stories back to life, offering a deeply personal glimpse into Marietta’s African American history through the eyes of a woman who lived it.
Membership in the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania helps preserve, uncover, and share the stories that shaped our region. Join a community committed to keeping African American history visible, accessible, and alive through educational programs, tours, research, exhibits, and community events.