York County History Center

A Date With History
2026-04-11 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | PA
This event is sold out! Please join the waitlist at the link above or make a donation here.
When York Continental Congress delegate and future signer of the Declaration of Independence James Smith gave York’s first public reading of the Declaration, he realized that many people didn’t yet understand why it mattered or what independence would truly mean for them. So, he did something remarkable: He explained it, connecting bold ideals to real lives and real communities.
Today, that spirit continues.
We invite you to join us for “Independence: More Than A Moment” and celebrate 250 years of promise, progress, and possibility at a special evening that brings American independence to life through many voices and perspectives.
Dazzling Cocktails
Sumptuous Dinner
(Choice of):
Liberty Reserve Beef – Red wine-braised beef tips
Heritage Chicken Lorelle – Grilled chicken with veg in a delicate herb cream
Penne in a Blush of Independence – Penne with vodka cream sauce (v) (GF upon request)
Exciting live auction
Celebrations and surprises
Enjoy a sneak peek at some of the artifacts from our “Revolutionary York” exhibit opening this summer!
Attire:Formal cocktail.
Red, white, & blue optional
Your support helps illuminate the past, spark meaningful conversation, and ensure York’s stories continue to inspire generations to come. Be part of the legacy at this unforgettable celebration of independence and York’s revolutionary history.
For sponsorship information for companies and individuals, click here.
Ready to be a sponsor? Complete the pledge form here to make it official.
If you want to volunteer at the event, sign up here.
Questions? Contact Amy Serafino, CFRE, Vice President, Advancement, at:
aserafino@yorkhistorycenter.org

South Central Pa. Genealogical Society
2026-04-12 14:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | PA
Sunday April 12 – Alicia Forry – Remembering the Revolutionary War Veterans of Prospect Hill Cemetery
This program will be held in person and also on Zoom.
In-Person Registration
Zoom registration
This presentation will explore the histories of Revolutionary War veterans interred at York’s historic Prospect Hill Cemetery. Presenter Alicia Forry serves as Administration Supervisor and Foundation Secretary at Prospect Hill, where she conducts history tours and has researched all veterans buried there. Two years ago, she began in-depth work on Revolutionary War veterans.
Upcoming Programs
Sunday May 3 – Aaron McWilliams – Navigating Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary War Militia Records
Sunday June 14 – Henry James Young Awards

York Civil War Roundtable
2026-04-15 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
April 15, 2026 – Peter Miele – The Mifflin Farm: A Place of Courage, Conflict, and Conscience
This program will be in person and available on Zoom.
In person registration
Zoom registration
On a knoll overlooking the Susquehanna River in Wrightsville, Quakers Jonathan and Susanna Wright Mifflin built their home at the dawn of the 19th century. Quickly, this home took center stage in the regional conflict over slavery. Courageous freedom seekers, escaping the brutality of bondage, found refuge within the walls of the Mifflin Home for more than thirty years. In the summer of 1863, the Civil War came to Wrightsville as thousands of Confederates attempted to cross the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge into Lancaster County but were stopped by courageous local militiamen on the Mifflin Farm. One hundred and fifty-five years later, conflict returned to the farm when the property was threatened by demolition. The community rallied and saved this treasure, soon to be the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park, a world-class visitor destination celebrating the nationally important stories of York and Lancaster Counties.
Peter Miele is Senior Project Leader at Susquehanna National Heritage Area, directing the development of the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park in Wrightsville, PA, and an adjunct faculty member at York College of Pennsylvania. Previously, Miele worked at Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center in Gettysburg for more than eleven years, including four years as President & Executive Director. He earned his BA in History and Secondary Education from Ramapo College of New Jersey, and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. His scholarship has appeared in Pennsylvania History and Gettysburg Magazine. Currently a student in the Ph.D. program in American Studies at Penn State, Harrisburg, he is working on a dissertation that examines Gettysburg’s Eternal Light Peace Memorial in history, memory, and myth.

Public Tour Cancelation
2026-04-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-29 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-30 11:00 - 12:00, 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 (America/New_York) and 2 more dates | PA
We have a private group visiting, please consider visiting us for Colonial Complex tours at 2 pm.

Go Green in the City
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Colonial Complex, 157 W. Market St., York, PA, 17401, United States
Visit us at the Colonial Courthouse during Go Green in the City from 10 am until noon. This is a chance to get a glimpse into the Colonial Courthouse, no formal tours will be provided during this time but you are welcome to ask our guide(s) questions.
Other details about Go Green in the City can be found on Downtown York’s website here.

Tour Cancelation
2026-04-18 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | PA
We do not have an 11 am public tour on April 18 due to Go Green in the City. If you are looking to visit the Colonial Courthouse, we will be open for free from 10 am until noon. In the case you want to attend our Colonial Complex tour visit our ticket calendar to reserve a spot for the 2 pm tour.

Spirits of the Past
2026-04-24 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
Enjoy an unforgettable night at the History Center with our historic mixology program! As we celebrate April as National Gardening Month attendees will enjoy the Aviation and make their own Elderflower Mojito.

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 (America/New_York) | 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.

Friends Spring Luncheon
2026-05-03 12:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | 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.
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 program will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the college’s Yorkview Hall.

Manufacturing York
2026-05-05 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | 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 (America/New_York) | 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.

Manufacturing York
2026-06-02 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Writers' Roundtable
2026-06-04 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | York County History Center Museum, 121 North Pershing Ave., York, PA, 17401, United States
The next Writers’ Roundtable meeting will be Thursday June 4 at 7 p.m.
This program will be in person and available in Zoom. Registration coming soon.
