History Center opens ‘Revolutionary York’ exhibit July 3

York, Pa. – The York County History Center will open “Revolutionary York,” a major new exhibit exploring York’s pivotal role in the American Revolution, on Friday, July 3. The opening falls on the eve of the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence and will be part of York’s First Friday events.

For First Friday, the museum will have extended evening hours. Due to limited space in the Brougher Gallery where the exhibit is mounted, visitors must register in advance for one of two timed admissions: 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. Registration is available at yorkhistorycenter.org/RevYork250. Following the opening, “Revolutionary York” will be on view through December 2028 during regular museum hours.

“Revolutionary York” tells the story of the nine months in 1777 and 1778 when York served as the seat of the Continental Congress after British forces seized Philadelphia. A frontier town of just 1,800 people, York became the nation’s capital at one of the Revolution’s most critical moments. The exhibit explores how Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation — America’s first governing document — and secured French support that helped turn the tide of the war.

The exhibit is divided into four sections:

Commemorating American Independence introduces the 250th anniversary through York County’s history of past commemorations, including artifacts from the 1976 bicentennial.

Revolution Comes to York County examines life in York in the 1770s through original documents and artifacts, including the 1775 York Blues muster roll and a silk brocade coat worn by Col. John Hay of York, alongside the folk-art drawings of Lewis Miller.

Nine Months in York Town invites visitors to enter past York’s original courthouse door to explore the Continental Congress’s time in York, featuring the original printing of the Articles of Confederation and documents from the period.

Legacy of the Revolution asks visitors to consider what the founding ideals of America mean today and how that work continues.

“One of the goals with ‘Revolutionary York’ is to place York County’s story within the broader Revolutionary context,” said Benjamin Neely, president and CEO of the History Center. “We’re making connections between what happened in Philadelphia and Boston and what happened in York. Events that helped determine the course of the war happened here. We’re excited to put together that history and hope that visitors come away thinking, ‘York has a really cool story.’”

“Revolutionary York” is part of the History Center’s busy period of America’s 250th programming, which includes the Revolutionary Thinkers summer day camp in August, Articles of Confederation Day in November and a Distinguished Speaker Series event in early 2027. Plans are also underway to mark the 250^th anniversary of the Articles of Confederation in 2027.

The York County History Center Museum, Library & Archives is located at 121 N. Pershing Ave. in York. Regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Seasonal admission is $20 for adults ($10 on Sundays) and $8 for students ages 6–18. Children 5 and younger are admitted free every day.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit yorkhistorycenter.org.

Media contacts

YORK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER: Dan Fink, dfink@yorkhistorycenter.org, 717-848-1587 ext. 216. Photos of select exhibit artifacts are available upon request.

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, showcasing its development and spotlighting the many community contributions. The History Center’s Library & Archives is generally considered one of the best local history and genealogy libraries in the state and offers a wealth of resources to help you with your research. The History Center was named a USA Today Best New Museum for 2024.