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Ag & Industrial Museum will be closed May 15

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.

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York County and America’s 250th

York was the nation's capital

Now the story comes home

When British forces seized Philadelphia in 1777, America’s leaders fled to York — and a frontier town of 1,800 became the seat of a revolution. This is that story.

The new “Revolutionary York” exhibit opens July 3 in the Brougher Gallery, part of a complete History Center experience that includes our Colonial Complex, with historic buildings dating to the mid-1700s.

Make York, Pennsylvania, your destination for America’s 250th.

Plan your visit

One frontier town. Nine months that changed the nation.

The nation's capital

From September 1777 to June 1778, York served as the seat of the Continental Congress after Philadelphia fell to British forces.
A first constitution

Congress adopted America's first constitution right here in York — the framework that held the new nation together during its most perilous years.
Everyone's revolution

The Revolution touched every resident, free and enslaved, Native and immigrant, soldier and civilian. Their stories are part of this history too.
Additional Details

250th Activities at the History Center

Jun 04 at 7:00pm

Writers' Roundtable

Revolutionaries on the River: The Mifflins, the Wrights, and the Legacy of the American Revolution
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Jun 13 at 11:00am

Second Saturday - June

When the Declaration of Independence Was News
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Jul 03 at 5:00pm

Revolutionary York Exhibit

One frontier town. Nine months that changed the nation.
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Explore the Revolutionary York Exhibit

This introduction to the 250th anniversary reflects York County’s pride in its history and showcase the imagery and artifacts of past anniversary events, including the bicentennial celebration of 1976. One legacy of the bicentennial was the construction of the Colonial Courthouse, a faithful replica of York County original courthouse that remains central to the storytelling we do about our Revolutionary roots.

The exhibit examines life in York County in the 1770s. This section will consider the challenging war years through the lives of individuals and will feature amazing original documents and artifacts, both personal and military, from the History Center’s collection, including the 1775 York Blues muster roll and a silk brocade coat worn by Col. John Hay of York. This section will also feature the drawings of Lewis Miller, whose folk art renderings of the people and places of York are among the most prized in our entire collection.

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250th on History Uncovered blog
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  • New exhibit to open July 3

    "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 Facebook page to see one of the exhibit artifacts on the move to its new home in the Revolutionary York exhibit space.

    View Artifacts on the Move

One County, Countless Stories

Listeners travel to York County to explore its pivotal role in American history through the York County History Center, where exhibits highlight the people, events, and innovations that connect this community to the nation’s broader story. “In the new museum, we have spotlighted dozens of individuals who have shaped York County’s history and how they connect to the events happening nationally.” – Dan Fink, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations

 

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