Choose Extraordinary with an Event at the History Center
Looking for the perfect venue for your upcoming event? Look no further than the York County History Center, where we offer two distinct locations that cater to all your event needs.
Experience the New: Host your event at our brand-new History Center Museum in heart of downtown York. This state-of-the-art museum boasts a grand first-floor reception space (seating capacity of 170), a third-floor multipurpose room with sweeping views of the city (capacity of 130), and access to our exhibit galleries, showcasing the rich history of York County. Book the first floor, the third floor or take advantage of the entire museum (capacity of 300). Whether it’s a wedding, private party or business meeting, the new History Center Museum promises an unforgettable experience.
Embrace the Old: Our Agricultural & Industrial Museum offers a unique backdrop inside several renovated factory buildings that date back to 1874. This historic site features an outdoor courtyard perfect for cocktail hours, access to a fascinating array of industrial artifacts and plenty of quirky charm. It’s the ideal venue for those seeking a distinctive ambiance for their party or special event.
Whether you prefer the modern elegance of our new museum or the vintage charm of our industrial museum, the York County History Center has the perfect space to make your event extraordinary.
Event Rental FAQ
Need to know more about renting with the History Center? Check out some of these frequently asked questions. Find a longer list of questions and answers here.
- Use of the selected venue areas for your event.
- Use of a limited number of tables and chairs that are located at each site.
- The presence of at least one History Center staff member present through the event. More staff are present for larger events, depending on the number of guests.
At the new History Center Museum, access to the galleries is only included if you rent the entire museum. At the Agricultural and Industrial Museum, there is no fee to have the museum galleries open during your rental event. In either location, if you choose to have access to the galleries you and your guests are welcome to explore the museum at your own pace.
Learn more about the new museumContact Gretchen Nevin, Special Events Manager, at 717-848-1587 ext. 211 or gnevin@yorkhistorycenter.org. Complete a Rental Contract; pay half the cost of the rental, plus a refundable $250 security deposit. You have 60 days to sign and return the contract or it will be considered void. Once the signed contract and deposits are received, the rental date is reserved in your name.
Email Rental CoordinatorYour set-up and tear-down time is built into your contracted times. Please plan accordingly. Your contracted event time is for 6 hours (5-11p.m.). We allow setup to up to three hours ahead of time at no cost to you if the setup takes place during our operating hours. If you require more than the allotted time for set-up, tear-down, and your event, you will need to purchase additional hours at a cost of $100 per hour. All rentals begin at 5 p.m. When conditions permit, setup may begin as early as 1:30 p.m., but this is on a case-by-case basis, depending on the activities occurring in the museum on that day. Early set up is permitted in accordance with allowing for standard museum operation.
We do not offer catering services. We have a list of Approved Caterers. To use a caterer who is not on our approved list, they must meet with the Rental Coordinator and sign our Caterer Agreement. We also don’t provide linens, place settings or utensils. It is up to the lessee to supply these or arrange for the caterer to supply. Food must be prepared and served by a licensed caterer with liability insurance.
See our Approved Caterer list
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