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A new way to discover our history
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History Center Museum

A building transformed for exploring history

Embark on an immersive journey through York County’s rich history at the new History Center Museum. Begin your exploration at the History Makers Tower, where a state-of-the-art touchscreen display invites you to delve into the lives of History Makers from all walks of life. Uncover the narrative threads woven within the sections titled Building, Growing, Energizing, and Making. Each section features digital towers and touchscreens that will let you explore topics that pique your curiosity. Discover York County’s pivotal role in early expansion across Pennsylvania and its long-overlooked contributions to the Underground Railroad. Learn about the innovations in farming and industry that cemented the county’s status as a place of progress and resilience. Experience a building transformed into a vibrant space where history comes to life.

Visit Us

Tuesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Mondays: closed

Winter Admission (until 4/1):
Adults – $15 (Sundays $10)
Students (6-18) – $8
Children 5 and younger – FREE every day

Address:
York County History Center Museum, Library & Archives
121 N. Pershing Ave.
York PA 17401

Phone Number:
717-848-1587

YCHC New A Frame YCHC New Conestoga YCHC New Reception Lobby YCHC New Woman Looking At Screen
  • EDUCATOR RESOURCE

    Field trips to the History Center enhance classroom experience

    History and social studies teachers can bring students in for tours, allowing them to take advantage of a wide variety of programs designed to enrich children’s learning and classroom experiences. Scout groups, church youth groups and summer campers should also include the History Center Museum as a must-visit destination to learn about York County’s history.

    Learn More

Upcoming Events

Your Story Gallery

On the mezzanine, take a few minutes to share your York County memories with us. Your reflections will become part of our archives and available to the visiting public. “We can’t tell our story without your story.”
  • YCHC New Share Your Story Man
Rent space in our new museum

Elevate your event in our spaces

Gather for your next event in the History Center’s new venue in the heart of downtown York. Rent our third-floor multipurpose room with sweeping views of the city, our bright and cheery first-floor lobby or the entire museum, including our spectacular new exhibit areas. Weddings, business meetings or private parties — your special event starts here, at the NEW History Center. For details on renting space in our new museum, please visit our Facility Rentals page.

Learn More

Explore the connections between past and present with a visit to the York County History Center.

  • This is a great resource and a great opportunity for the African-American community to add to the content and wealth of their history being part of the fabric of this county.
    Ophelia Chambliss
    Artist, muralist, lecturer

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the questions you might have before visiting the History Center. You can find a longer list of Frequently Asked Questions on the Plan Your Visit page.

The History Center Museum, Library and Archives, all housed in our building at 121 N. Pershing Ave. in York, are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information on hours, admission, parking and directions, please visit our Plan Your Visit page.

Plan Your Visit

That depends on how much time you are willing to take exploring the different parts of the exhibit and engaging with the interactive digital displays placed around the museum. If you’re curious, you could spend a half day or more taking it all in. If you want to move through more quickly, plan for up to 2 hours.

Yes. We encourage adult groups, senior centers and other groups to visit our new museum and our other historic sites. Trained docents and education staff lead groups through the History Center’s sites. For details on all of our group tours, please visit our Group & School Tours page.

Group & School Tours

It does. But we also have members and other regular visitors to the library who spend several hours with us doing research. They schedule their visits to the library, so we can be sure we have adequate space and staff available. If you’re interested, it may be possible to accommodate a short visit to see the Library & Archives, but we cannot guarantee it. To learn more, please visit the Library & Archives page.

Library & Archives

Contact Us

Do you have a question about an upcoming visit? Would you like to know more about an ancestor who lived in York County? Do you just have a general inquiry? Whatever your question, our volunteers and staff are always eager to help. Please use the contact form here to submit your question.

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Join us in the new History Center. Your History Starts Here.