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.
“Soul Stroll”
Who: African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania
When: Saturday, September 26 | 9am
Where: 1100 E Orange St, Lancaster, PA
Cost: Free Event | Donations are welcomed
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania invites our friends and community supporters to join us for Soul Stroll: Cemetery Caravan, a guided journey through historic African American cemeteries in Lancaster and York Counties. Travel with us to burial grounds in Mount Joy, Marietta, Columbia, and Wrightsville, where local historians and researchers will introduce you to the people, families, churches, and Black communities connected to these sacred spaces. Along the way, we’ll uncover stories that are too often hidden in plain sight and explore how these cemeteries preserve pieces of our region’s African American history that cannot be found anywhere else. Our journey begins at 9:00 a.m. at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology’s Griscom Education Center in Lancaster and concludes with lunch at Hinkle’s Restaurant in Columbia.
Space is limited, so reserve your seat and come spend the day discovering the history written in stone.
Show & Tell with the Millersville Area Historical Society
Who: Millersville Area Historical Society
When: Saturday, October 10 | 9am-10:30am
Where: Millersville Borough Administration & Police Building, 100 Municipal Drive, Lancaster
Cost: Free Event | Registration is not required
The public is invited to participate in and/or attend the next Millersville Area Historical Society (MAHS) Show & Tell, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, October 10, in the Millersville Borough Administration & Police Building,100 Municipal Drive.
All those planning to attend (open to everyone) are encouraged to search their collectables for items of historic or nostalgic significance that audience members might find fascinating or intriguing; bring them along and be prepared to chat about them.
Advance registration is not required—simply show up with the objects. If everyone attending has something to display, all will be given the opportunity to do so. Since there is no specific end time for the event, people can feel free to leave before it’s over.
Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and lock at 9:15 a.m. For more information, contact Phil Gerber at 717-872-8837 before noon or email him at pge8507@aol.com.
Wilkerson Family Funeral Home Marker Dedication Ceremony
Who: African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania
When: Saturday, October 10 | 10am
Where: Heart to Heart Ministries, 502 S Christian St, Lancaster
Cost: Free Event | Open to the Public
The African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania is pleased to honor the Spencer F. Wilkerson Funeral Home with a marker dedication ceremony on Saturday, October 10, 10am, at Heart to Heart Ministries, 502 S. Christian Street in Lancaster City. The funeral home was an historic African American funeral business in the 7th Ward, founded by Spencer F. Wilkerson in 1957. The ceremony will honor the Wilkersons’ decades of dedication to the 7th Ward and mark the anniversary of their
wedding, held on October 10, 1945. Spencer Wilkerson (1923-2019), a member of the 28th Cavalry, Second Cavalry Division of the Buffalo Soldiers during WWII, was a prominent community leader active with the NAACP, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and other organizations. His wife, Ruby Mae Wilson Wilkerson (1924-2007), a member of the Women’s Army Corps, 6888 Central Postal Directory during WWII, studied to become a registered nurse at the Freedman’s Hospital School of Nursing at Howard University. She and Spencer married in 1945 in Rouen, France. Mrs. Wilkerson was a committed wife and mother, proud of her children, Spencer and Joanna.
Fall Cider Celebration at Historic Rock Ford
Who: Historic Rock Ford
When: Sunday, October 11 | 5:30pm-9pm
Where: Historic Rock Ford, 881 Rockford Road, Lancaster
Cost: Lecture Only: $10 | Evening Activities Only: $10 | Combination Ticket: $12
Historic Rock Ford embraces the season in 18th century style with a Fall Cider Celebration! This multi-faceted evening event consists of the following:
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Lecture: Welcome to Mark A. Turdo as he presents a lecture on “Cider: Pennsylvania’s Once (& Future?) Favorite.” Touching on everything from William Penn to Prohibition, this overview looks at how cider was historically made, its presence and importance in Pennsylvania, and where it’s heading today. This lecture will be held in the Langmuir Education Room on the first floor of the Barn.
For over twenty years Mark Turdo, historian and museum professional, has been researching and recreating historic alcoholic cider. He is especially interested in early American cider and cider culture, including who was making it, who was drinking it, and why it was more common than beer. In 2013 he began the Pommel Cyder blog where he shares his adventures in cider research and experiments in cidermaking.
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Evening Activities: After the lecture, favorites Forbes Road Frolic will perform traditional Colonial era tavern music. Weather permitting, music will be on the tent pad by the barn. Food and both hard and non-alcoholic cider will be available for purchase! Mark Turdo will be conducting living history demonstrations about 18th century cider. The Snyder Gallery will be open for one of the last chances to visit our “Lancaster’s Revolutionaries” focus exhibit.
Registration is required. Tickets can be purchased online or at-the-door.
“W. Miller Barbour: Lancaster County Legacy” October Speaker Series
Who: Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County
When: Wednesday, October 14 | 6pm-9pm
Where: Historic Preservation Trust, 123 N. Prince St, Lancaster
Cost: Free Event | Registration is Required
Born in Philadelphia, raised in Middletown, and educated in Lancaster County, W. Miller Barbour carried the lessons of his Pennsylvania upbringing onto a national stage. A pioneering African American human rights advocate, Barbour challenged discrimination in housing, employment, education, and civic life. Although he became an important figure in the struggle for racial equality, his remarkable life and achievements have largely faded from public memory.
The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County invites you to rediscover his story during the next presentation in our 2026 Speaker Series, “W. Miller Barbour: Lancaster County Legacy,” presented by public historian Eric Schubert.
About the Presentation
Barbour’s life connected Lancaster County to a much broader movement for equality and justice in 20th-century America.
During this presentation, Eric Schubert will explore Barbour’s Lancaster County connections, his remarkable career, and his enduring legacy. The program will also consider what Barbour’s story can still teach us about the history of the place we call home.
The lecture is part of Schubert’s independent W. Miller Barbour Lecture Series, which has brought Barbour’s story to historical societies and community organizations throughout South Central Pennsylvania.
“Facts & Folklore: The Town Crier, Belsnickel and Manheim’s Gentle Giant”
Who: Manheim Historical Society
When: Sunday, October 18 | 2pm-3pm
Where: Manheim Railroad Station Complex, 210 S. Charlotte St., Manheim
Cost: Free Event | Open to the Public
Join Mike Gehard on October 18 at 2 p.m. in the Freight Room of the Manheim Railroad Station Complex, 210 S. Charlotte St., Manheim. An author with a diverse background as a karate instructor and school owner, charter boat captain, and transportation industry sales professional, Mike will share his unique experiences and insights as the portrayer of Manheim Historical Society’s Town crier, Belsnickel and his research on Jack Fasig of Manheim.
In addition to the program, the Railroad Station Complex museums will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Discover the 1881 Train Station, Stiegel-style Glass, Iron Stove Plates, Manheim Industries/Kendig Library Exhibition, and Model Train Exhibit. Take a ride on our Trolley. Take part in the 19th Century Manheim Industrial Revolution Walking Tour (if the weather cooperates) at 3:10 pm. Every activity is free!