Visit History Center, Explore York celebrations on the Fourth

YORK, Pa. — The York County History Center will be open Saturday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., welcoming visitors for regular museum and library access and for the newly opened Revolutionary York exhibit.

Guests can tour the History Center Museum and experience Revolutionary York, which tells the story of the nine months in 1777–78 when York served as the capital of the United States and the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation. An American Revolution scavenger hunt will be available in the main gallery. Admission on July 4^th is $10 for adults and $5 for students; History Center members visit free.

Visitors to downtown York will find two distinct experiences side by side. The free, family-friendly Independence Day Cultural Fair, organized by Explore York and York County, runs from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot directly across from the History Center’s main entrance on North Pershing Avenue. The two are separately organized events, and together, they make it easy to enjoy both in a single morning.

“Downtown York will be buzzing on the Fourth of July,” said Benjamin Neely, president and CEO of the History Center. “We love that visitors will find two great experiences right next to each other. With Explore York’s Cultural Fair event, just across the street and the History Center open right alongside it — anyone coming into town for the fair is warmly welcome to step inside, see Revolutionary York and make a morning of it.”

The fun continues at Wellspan Park starting at 2:30. The Revs unfurl a host of activities throughout the afternoon, including a game against the Lancaster Stormers and a post-game concert by the York Symphony Orchestra followed by a fireworks display.

Please note that the Agricultural & Industrial Museum and the Fire Museum will be closed on July 4. The History Center Museum and the Colonial Courthouse will be open.

For tickets and details, visit yorkhistorycenter.org/event/july-4th-at-the-history-center.

Media contacts

YORK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER: Dan Fink, dfink@yorkhistorycenter.org, 717-848-1587 ext. 216.

About the York County History Center

The York County History Center, a nonprofit organization, inspires the exploration of the rich history, diverse people, and vibrant culture of York County, Pennsylvania and the United States. Housing more than 90,000 artifacts, the collection spans nearly 300 years of York County’s history. The History Center’s Library & Archives is generally considered one of the best local history and genealogy libraries in the state. The History Center was named a USAToday Best New Museum for 2025.