York County History Center

July Walking Tour
2025-07-25 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Explore the rich history York has to offer as you see the city from a new perspective. Scattered amongst the walls of York’s fabulous architecture, 18 murals depict scenes of the county’s proudest moments and people.

Tours will kick off from the History Center Museum. We suggest to order your tickets ahead of time as this allows us prepare the group. You can purchase tickets at the button above.

First Friday- August
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00
First Friday is a celebration of our downtown! Each month the York County History Center offers activities to highlight history and fun.
See our friends at the front desk to sign in and admission will be pay what you wish. Admission can be paid in cash, or card. Suggested donation of $5.
If you have little ones with you be sure to stop by our activity table for coloring sheets, scavenger hunts, and more!
PLUS: August First Friday includes a Tannenberg Organ Concert with Dr. Cameron Wentz at 6 pm. Be sure to stop by! Pre-registration encouraged but not required for this free event!

Tannenberg Organ Concert Series
2025-08-01 18:00 - 19:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Experience a live performance of York’s only remaining Tannenberg Organ, built here in York in 1804. This priceless artifact is back at the History Center after two years of restoration. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear it played by a master of the instrument. Dr. Cameron Wentz is a composer, church musician and educator who serves as cantor for Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading.
Pre-registration encouraged, but not required. See the links below to register.
Dr. Cameron Wentz: First Friday, August 1 at 6 pm

Public Tour Cancelation
2025-08-02 11:00 - 12:00
We have a private group visiting, please consider visiting us for Colonial Complex tours at 1 pm or 3 pm.

Revolutionary Thinkers Summer Camp
2025-08-04 - 2025-08-08 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Calling all 4th – 6th graders who love history! The York County History Center is proud to offer a brand-new day camp this summer!
In advance of America’s 250th celebration next year, the History Center’s Revolutionary Thinkers Summer Camp will explore how the core founding documents of the Articles of Confederation, the US Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence helped shape the nation we know today. This camp is an opportunity to fan emerging sparks of interest with fun activities that include learning about our nation’s founding and being immersed in our local history through hands-on programs. Students will learn about 18th-century life, tour local historic sites, and embark on a journey that will help them understand and appreciate civics education in an experiential and fun setting.
The camp runs daily 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, Aug. 4-8. All students are welcome, but preference will be given to students in York County schools. Need-based scholarships are available.

ALL SPOTS ARE NOW FILLED

For more information, please call the History Center at 717-848-1587 or email vlong@yorkhistorycenter.org
Proudly sponsored M&T Bank.

Second Saturday- August
2025-08-09 10:30 - 11:30
Living the Experience joins us to highlight their interactive historical reenactment of the Underground Railroad. 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.

August Walking Tour
2025-08-15 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-08-29 18:00 - 19:30 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
When the British captured Philadelphia in the fall of 1777, the Continental Congress made York the capital from which it would conduct the war, and take the first step toward creating the United States as we know it. Guides will share stories of local heroes, as well as national notables such as George Washington, and “Mad” Anthony Wayne. Included in this tour is the site of a duel that was to take place between General Horatio Gates and James Wilkinson.

Tours will kick off from the History Center Museum. We suggest to order your tickets ahead of time as this allows us prepare the group. You can purchase tickets at the button above.

World War II Briefings, August 2025
2025-08-16 11:00 - 13:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
The World War II Briefings program for August coincides with the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. Featured speakers include World War II Veteran Anthony Stabile, Stephen H. Smith, a well-known author and speaker on a range of York County history topics; and Dominish Marie Miller, founder of Preserving the History of Newberrytown, author of three local history books and a historical re-enactor. Anthony will speak about his World War II experiences, Steve presents York’s connection to the Manhattan Project and Dominish presents Women of World War II.

Public Tour Cancelation
2025-08-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-16 15:00 - 16:00 | Colonial Complex, 157 W. Market St., York, PA, 17401, United States
We have a private group visiting, please consider visiting us for Colonial Complex tour at 11am.

York Revolution Game
2025-08-21 06:30 - 20:30
Thursday, August 21 find the York County History Center on the concourse at WellSpan Park. The York Revolution faces off against Flying Boxcars at 6:30 pm that evening. More details about the game can be found on the York Revolution website.

Please note we are tabling at the game.

Spirits of the Past
2025-08-22 19:00 - 20:00
Drink your way through the history of prohibition with 1 batched cocktail and 1 cocktail class attendees will make.
Cocktail selection
Honolulu Lulu & Twelve Mile Limit
This program is for individuals 21 and older.
Ticket sales have closed!

Bookmarked
2025-08-25 19:00 - 20:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Shippensburg University’s Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward will give a talk based on his book, Cradle of Conservation An Environmental History of Pennsylvania, which explores the state’s “working landscapes” from William Penn’s famous exhortation to “leave one acre of trees for every five acres cleared” to the ratification of the Environmental Rights Amendment and today’s debates over fracking and the threat of climate change. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.

Public Tour Cancelation
2025-08-30 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-30 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-30 15:00 - 16:00 | Colonial Complex, 157 W. Market St., York, PA, 17401, United States
We do not have any public tours on August 30 due to Yorkfest. More Yorkfest event details can be found here.

Yorkfest Courthouse Open House
2025-08-30 11:00 - 15:00 | Colonial Complex, 157 W. Market St., York, PA, 17401, United States
In between shopping at artisan stalls during Yorkfest stop by the Colonial Courthouse to learn about York’s connection to the American Revolution.
The open house will only be Saturday, August 30 of Yorkfest.

First Friday-September
2025-09-05 17:00 - 20:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
First Friday is a celebration of our downtown! Each month the York County History Center offers activities to highlight history and fun.
See our friends at the front desk to sign in and admission will be pay what you wish. Admission can be paid in cash, or card. Suggested donation of $5.
If you have little ones with you be sure to stop by our activity table for coloring sheets, scavenger hunts, and more!
PLUS: Family fun fall crafts in the lobby! Kids get to make their own pipe cleaner apple, try local apple cider and learn about York’s connection to the history of apples. In addition to kids getting a chance to find inspiration in our Pfaltzgraff pottery to make their own fall coaster. This activity was made possible in part by a Downtown Inc First Friday Grant, sponsored by WellSpan Health. (Activity will take place from 5 pm until 7:30 while supplies last.)

Public Tour Cancelation
2025-09-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Colonial Complex, 157 W. Market St., York, PA, 17401, United States

Churches & Cemeteries Walking Tour
2025-09-12 18:00 - 19:30 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Explore the rich history York has to offer as you see the city from a new perspective. This month attendees will learn about the churches and cemeteries connected to our community. These places of worship and burial tell a deeper story when our guides highlight the people connected to these places.

Tours will kick off from the History Center Museum. We suggest to order your tickets ahead of time as this allows us prepare the group. You can purchase tickets at the button above.

Second Saturday Family Day
2025-09-13 10:30 - 14:30 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Take part in a day of family fun and learning with our quarterly Second Saturday Family Day! The History Center Museum holds many stories and artifacts, Family Day-The Arts are All Around Us will allow attendees a chance to explore York’s history through hands on activities in our lobby and galleries.
Activities for the day

Storytime
Painted Pottery Coasters
Paper Fashions
Make your own Post Card
Salt Dough Ornaments
Self Portraits under the Smokestack
More activities

Activities available while supplies last.

Tannenberg Organ Concert Series
2025-09-26 18:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Experience a live performance of York’s only remaining Tannenberg Organ, built here in York in 1804. This priceless artifact is back at the History Center after two years of restoration. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear it played.
Pre-registration encouraged, but not required.
Learn more about the history of the Tannenberg Organ here.

First Friday October
2025-10-03 17:00 - 20:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
October 3 join us for pay as you wish late night museum hours from 5 pm until 8 pm at the History Center Museum.
See our friends at the front desk to sign in and admission will be pay what you wish. Admission can be paid in cash, or card. Suggested donation of $5 in cash, or card.
PLUS: Family fun fall crafts in the lobby! Kids get to create their own creature made from craft supplies and toilet paper tubes. In addition families can decorate their own Halloween mask as they learn about the history of Halloween costumes. This activity was made possible in part by a Downtown Inc First Friday Grant, sponsored by WellSpan Health. (Activity will take place from 5 pm until 7:30 while supplies last.)

First Friday-Walking Tours
2025-10-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Beaver St Sandwich Board, 32 N Beaver St, York, PA, 17401, United States
Join us for a spooky look at York’s past in preparation for Halloween.
Stop by our Sandwich board on the corner of W. Clarke Ave and N. Beaver St for 30 minute Spooky Tours at 6 pm and 6:45. For a full spooky tour check our calendar for October’s full walking tour experience.

Public Tour Cancellation
2025-10-09 14:00 | Colonial Complex, 157 W. Market St., York, PA, 17401, United States
We have a private group visiting, please consider visiting us for Colonial Complex tours at 11 am on October 9.

If you are attending Pennsylvania Historical Association Annual Meeting please visit our ticket calendar to reserve your tour spot.

Delayed Opening
2025-10-10 10:00 - 12:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
We are opening the History Center Museum at noon due to emergency repairs to the T-Mobile equipment on the smokestack. Thank you for your patience.

Public Tour Cancellation
2025-10-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Colonial Complex, 157 W. Market St., York, PA, 17401, United States
We are opening the History Center Museum at noon due to emergency repairs to the T-Mobile equipment on the smokestack. There will be no 11 am Colonial Complex tour due to opening the museum at noon, please consider visiting us for Colonial Complex tours at 1 pm or 3 pm. Thank you for your patience.

October Walking Tour
2025-10-10 18:00 - 19:30 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Hear the legends of the Cannibal King, the Wildman, and much more as you walk along the spooky streets of Downtown York.
Tours will kick off from the History Center Museum. We suggest to order your tickets ahead of time as this allows us prepare the group. You can purchase tickets at the button above.

Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail
2025-10-11 11:00 - 13:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Members of the Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail will be on site at the History Center Museum to highlight the work they do. This is a great opportunity to learn about the activities they offer at their sites.
This not a presentation, it is an opportunity to chat and engage with members of the Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail in an informal setting. Additionally this is free and does not include museum admission.
