York County History Center

Trivia Night at Gift Horse Brewing Company
2026-04-30 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | PA
Got history? Grab your friends and head to Gift Horse Brewing Company for a History Trivia Night to launch Give Local York and support the York County History Center! We’ll be serving up local history questions, friendly competition, and special history-inspired drinks available for purchase while you sip, laugh, and show off your trivia skills with a portion of the proceeds from the drinks going toward supporting YCHC.
Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus bragging rights, of course. Come for the fun, stay for the cause, and help preserve and share York County’s stories. Trivia runs 6:30–8:30 PM on April 30. See you there!
Register York Team Here! Suggested not required.

Give Local York
2026-04-30 19:00 - 2026-05-01 19:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
April 30-May 1 is Give Local York! This is one of the History Center’s most important fundraising campaigns of the year. Here’s a taste of what you can do to help the History Center:

Join us for History Trivia at Gift Horse Brewing Company on April 30 to kick off the start of Give Local York! Details here.

Remember, your gifts during Give Local York go directly to help us do the work of collecting and sharing the stories of York County history.

Organ Concert - Give Local York
2026-05-01 13:00 - 14:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
We are excited to welcome local organist Daniel Brownell to play a daytime concert on May 1 at the History Center Museum. Daniel is Director of Music Ministries and Worship at First Presbyterian Church in York.
This event is part of Give Local York! Admission is by donation, and you may choose the ticket level that feels right for you. All contributions directly support the York County History Center and help make programs like this possible.

First Friday: Pizza & Pajamas
2026-05-01 17:00 - 19:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
During First Friday on Give Local York we are offering a fun experience for all ages! Pizza & Pajamas is an opportunity for people to come to the museum in lounge wear/pajamas, enjoy some pizza and activities.
Activities for the evening

Showing of Liberty’s Kids- Valley Forge episode which features York’s part in the American Revolution every half hour.
Try your hand at the Lego challenge to build based on inspiration of our historic building.
Specialized highlight tour best suited for adult visitors.

We hope you can join us for a fun evening!

This event is part of Give Local York! Admission is by donation, and you may choose the ticket level that feels right for you. All contributions directly support the York County History Center and help make programs like this possible.

Friends Spring Luncheon
2026-05-03 12:30 - 15:30 | York College of Pennsylvania, 441 Country Club Road, York, PA, 17403, United States
Join the Friends of the History Center for their annual Spring Luncheon and the latest in their If These Walls Could Talk programs. For this year’s luncheon, explore the twists and turns in the history of York College, from its founding in 1787 to its exciting growth on the edge of York today. Pat Poet and Nancy Godfrey from the college’s Schmidt Library staff will present.
DEADLINE TO PURCHASE TICKETS EXTENDED TO APRIL 25
The day will include lunch and a fabulous raffle. The lunch menu includes:
Strawberry Feta Salad

Mesclun Mix, Candied Pecans, Feta, White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Rustic Bread & Butter

Entrees (choice of one)

Horseradish Crusted Salmon Filet, with Fresh Asparagus, Lyonnaise Potatoes, Dijon Cream Sauce
Balsamic Glazed Caprese Bone-In Chicken, with Caramelized Broccoli, Rosemary Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Spaghetti Con Limone with Blistered Tomatoes (Vegan Option)

Dessert

Profiterole with Sauce Anglaise and Chocolate Ganache

Tickets are $75 for History Center members or $85 for the general public. The deadline to order is April 25.
The program will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the college’s Yorkview Hall.

Adjusted Tour Schedule
2026-05-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-07 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-14 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-19 11:00 - 12:00 | PA
Tours have shifted for the day, please consider visiting us for Colonial Complex tour at 2 pm.

Manufacturing York
2026-05-05 18:30 - 19:30 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Why did a gifted man of the cloth leave the ministry to manufacture washing machines? How did an ex preacher, so poor at one time he could not afford to fix the roof on his house, become a wealthy man and the leading industrialist in the history of York? How did five exiting companies employing over 2,000 people grow from his work?
This program answers these questions and provides a window into the life of the founder of the S. Morgan Smith Company (now Voith Hydro).
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Nicholas served in the ministry of the Moravian Church for forty-one years before he retired and returned to his hometown of York. He and his friend, Terry Downs, have presented this program more than forty times to varied audiences in York, Adams, Lancaster and Lehigh Counties. Rev. Nicholas and Terry Downs completed a biography of Smith in 2017 titled, “Reinventing the Wheel, the Incredible Story of S. Morgan Smith, Minister, Inventor, Industrialist.” Visit the History Center gift shop during regular hours to purchase a copy of the book.

The galleries will not be open for this program.

World War II Briefings
2026-05-09 11:00 - 13:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Our World War II Briefings program is biannual. The program dates fall closely with Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) in May and August. York has a rich history connected to World War II. For May’s session, we will welcome in Steven Smith, Richard Robinson and Mike Siggins as they focus on the Sherman Tank and its connection to York.

Ag & Industrial Museum will be closed May 15
2026-05-15 10:00 - 16:00 | Agricultural & Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St, York, PA, 17401, United States
The Agricultural & Industrial Museum will be closed Friday, May 15, to accommodate a large field trip. The museum will re-open at its normal time, 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16. Thinking about celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a visit to the History Center? Find details on our website.

Plan your visit

Adjusted Tour Schedule
2026-05-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Colonial Complex, 157 W. Market St., York, PA, 17401, United States

York Civil War Roundtable
2026-05-20 19:00 - 20:30 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
May 20, 2026 – Codie Eash – “The Nation Shall Live and Slavery Shall Die”: The Presidential Election of 1864
This program will be in person and available on Zoom.
In person registration
Zoom registration
As Americans struggled through the Civil War’s fourth autumn, voters cast their ballots in the presidential election of 1864. The campaign pitted incumbent Abraham Lincoln against his former general-in-chief, George McClellan, and its results framed the ultimate effects of the conflict itself. Soldiers and citizens determined whether the nation would quell a rebellion, or open peace negotiations; expand the rights of freed people, or de-emphasize personal liberties; and end slavery, or keep the institution intact. More than any wartime event not decided on a battlefield, the course and consequences of this election are among the most significant in U.S. history.
Codie Eash serves as Director of Education and Interpretation at Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center on the historic campus of the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he has served several roles as a member of the staff since 2012. He earned his undergraduate degree in Communication/Journalism at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in 2014, and began working on his Master’s in American History at Gettysburg College in 2024. In addition to museum tours and interpretation, Codie lectures for American Battlefield Trust conferences, National Park Service sites, Civil War roundtables, libraries, and other community organizations. He is a founding contributor to Pennsylvania in the Civil War, reviews books for Civil War Monitor and Emerging Civil War, writes articles for W. Britain’s The Standard, and serves as a member on the Gettysburg Magazine editorial board.

Manufacturing York
2026-06-02 18:30 - 19:30 | PA
Dive into the history of the P. H. Glatfelter Company with Scott L. Mingus Sr. during June’s Manufacturing York session.
Scott L. Mingus, a retired scientist and executive in the global pulp & paper industry, holds patents in self-adhesive postage stamps and bar code labels. He was part of the research team that developed the first commercially successful self-adhesive U.S. postage stamps. He has written 28 Civil War and Underground Railroad books. His biography of Confederate General William “Extra Billy” Smith was nominated for or won multiple awards, including the Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr. Literary Prize. He also wrote several articles for Gettysburg Magazine and other journals. Scott maintains a blog on the Civil War history of York County PA and received the Heritage Profile Award from the York County History Center for his many contributions to local Civil War history.

The galleries will not be open for this program.

2026 Friends Book Blast
2026-06-04 16:00 - 19:00 | Agricultural & Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St, York, PA, 17401, United States
Book Blast returns in June for 2026! The Friends present one of their most popular fundraising events June 4, 5 and 6 at the Agricultural & Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St. The Friends collect donated, gently used books throughout the spring and organize thousands of books into one of the community’s biggest used book sales.
The schedule for this year’s sale looks like this:

4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 4 – History Center members only.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 5
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6

You can donate used books for the sale at the Ag & Industrial Museum until May 16. Drop-off hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday or Saturday during the museum’s normal operating hours.
History Center members have first access to the books during the Book Blast opening night Thursday, June 4. Want to be part of that first-look group? Become a History Center member today.

2026 Friends Book Blast
2026-06-05 10:00 - 18:00 | Agricultural & Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St, York, PA, 17401, United States
Book Blast returns in June for 2026! The Friends present one of their most popular fundraising events, continuing June 5 and 6 at the Agricultural & Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St. The Friends collect donated, gently used books throughout the spring and organize thousands of books into one of the community’s biggest used book sales.
The schedule for the remaining dates of this year’s sale looks like this:

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 5
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6

First Friday June
2026-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
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 $10 in cash, or card.
Explore the History Center Museum galleries during First Friday for a donation.

2026 Friends Book Blast
2026-06-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Agricultural & Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St, York, PA, 17401, United States
Book Blast returns in June for 2026! The Friends present one of their most popular fundraising events, with the final day June 6 at the Agricultural & Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St. The Friends collect donated, gently used books throughout the spring and organize thousands of books into one of the community’s biggest used book sales.
The schedule for the final day of the sale is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6.

Second Saturday - June
2026-06-13 11:00 - 12:30 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
We are excited to welcome author and historian Dr. Emily Sneff to the History Center Museum! She will be presenting about her book “When the Declaration of Independence Was News.” Dr. Sneff is an early American historian and leading expert on the Declaration of Independence. She earned her Ph.D. in history from William & Mary. She is a consulting curator for exhibitions marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration at the Museum of the American Revolution and Historic Trappe.
Blurb of the Book:
Publishing for the 250th anniversary of the United States, When the Declaration of Independence Was News focuses on the nation’s founding document at the moment of its creation in 1776, before anyone knew what the legacy of the Declaration would be or if the United States would win the war against Great Britain. It explores how the Declaration was communicated to people in the new nation and around the Atlantic world and reveals the stories of the many people involved in the process of declaring independence, from printers to soldiers to diplomats to translators.
Purchase a copy of her book here.

Civil War Walking Tour
2026-06-19 18:00 - 19:30 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Many of the buildings that existed during the Confederate invasion of York still stand on Market Street. This tour leaves from the History Center Museum, where guides will describe what events affected the town and the roles some residents played.
Tours will kick off from the History Center Museum. We suggest ordering your tickets ahead of time as this allows us to prepare the group. You can purchase tickets at the button above.
All York walking tours will start and end at the History Center museum and will last 60-90 minutes. Tours are recommended for ages 12 and older.

WITF's Previews 'After Ike'
2026-06-26 18:00 - 20:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Join WITF for a free sneak peek of the documentary After Ike – a documentary about the longest motorized military convoy assembled by humankind – before it airs on WITF TV on July 5.
After the screening, a panel of experts will discuss “the journey that changed America” during a live taping of The Spark with Asia Tabb.

Kay Shelton Kozak, President, Lincoln Highway Association
Brian C. Black, Ph.D., Penn State Altoona
Jessica J. Kelly, PhD, Chair and Associate Professor Department of Geography at Millersville University
Cotten Seiler, Professor of American Studies at Dickinson College and author of Republic of Drivers: A Cultural History of Automobility in America and White Care: The Impact of Race on American Infrastructure.

Ag & Industrial Museum will be closed July 3
2026-07-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Agricultural & Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St, York, PA, 17401, United States
The Agricultural & Industrial Museum will be closed July 3, as our team prepares for the opening of Revolutionary York at the History Center Museum. The museum will re-open at its normal time, 10 a.m. Friday, July 10.

Revolutionary York Exhibit Opening
2026-07-03 17:00 - 19:00 | PA
Opening July 3, 2026, Revolutionary York tells the story of York County’s pivotal roll in the American Revolution. As part of the America 250 semiquincentennial celebration, this exhibit highlights the experiences of York County’s people in the 1770s through rarely seen artifacts, documents, artwork and images. This was a time of challenges and triumphs, resulting in a new nation. Join us as we commemorate the founding of our country and consider what American independence means to us today and for the future.
Please join us for our grand opening weekend!
Friday, July 3
5 pm Entry- SOLD OUT
6 pm Entry- SOLD OUT
Saturday, July 4 – open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, July 5 – open from noon to 4 p.m.
$10 suggested donation includes admission to the History Center museum. Members are free to attend.
The exhibit will run through December 2028.

July 4th at the History Center
2026-07-04 09:00 - 13:00 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
What better place to spend your July 4th festivities then immersed in American history at the History Center Museum! View the brand new “Revolutionary York” exhibit in the Brougher Gallery and explore our main gallery space with our American Revolution scavenger hunt.
Admission for the day is $10 for adults and $5 for students, free for members to visit.
9 AM – 1 PM Operating hours will correspond with the Cultural Fair across from the History Center Museum.
Please note the Fire Museum and Agricultural and Industrial Museum are both closed on July 4. Open sites include the History Center Museum and the Colonial Courthouse.
About Revolutionary York:
When British forces seized Philadelphia in 1777, America’s leaders fled to York, and a frontier town of 1,800 became the nation’s capital. Revolutionary York, on view July 2026 through December 2028, brings that extraordinary chapter to life. Explore how Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation and secured French support that turned the tide of war, and how the Revolution was experienced by the full range of people who called York County home. As we mark 250 years of independence, this exhibit asks what those founding ideals mean to us today.
Visit our Revolutionary York page here to learn more about the exhibit.

July 4th at the Colonial Courthouse
2026-07-04 09:00 - 13:00 | Colonial Complex, 157 W. Market St., York, PA, 17401, United States
Stop by the Colonial Courthouse on July 4th for our open house. Ask questions about our reconstructed courthouse, learn about York history, and see 18th Century artifacts on display.
No Colonial Complex tours on July 4th.
Want more Revolutionary War history? Head down the block to the History Center Museum and view the newly opened Revolutionary York exhibit in the Brougher Gallery. View the event details here for pricing.
Please note the Fire Museum and Agricultural and Industrial Museum are both closed on July 4. Open sites include the History Center Museum and the Colonial Courthouse.

History Explorers- Centennial Celebrations
2026-07-11 10:30 - 14:30 | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
As a part of our focus on America’s 250th anniversary we are excited to welcome children with their adults to experience an array of activities at the History Center Museum on July 11! The newly named History Explorers is an opportunity for guests to engage in hands-on activities tied to the theme of the day, for July’s program we will focus on Centennial Celebrations.

Activities will be:

Lafayette returns (50th)
Tastes of the Centennial (1876)
Inventions of the Centennial (1876)
How did you Celebrate? (2026)
And more

$5 for students, free for members.
