2026 ANIMATING DEMOCRACY: LANCASTER LIVE AND LEARN William Whipper Reading Circle LENWOOD SLOAN, Facilitator JOHN MALINA, Respondent DAVID WALKER 1829 - APPEAL TO THE COLORED CITIZENS OF THE WORLD! Tre Johnson - Black Genius: Essays on an American Legacy Free Registration required
Quaker Benevolence and African Genius: Banneker and Cupid Paca featuring Dr. Leroy Hopkins, PhD For generations, Lancaster County’s history has been told through familiar names and well-documented narratives. Yet some of the most remarkable stories—particularly those centered on African American achievement—have remained overlooked or underrepresented. The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County’s January Speaker Series […]
Explore the historic presence of African Americans in Bucks County, from the 1700s through emancipation. As the Revolutionary War was starting, Pennsylvania Quakers launched an early movement to end slavery in Bucks County. This movement continued as the Underground Railroad in the 19th century. We will explore African American history in Bucks looking at manumission […]
A FREE Family Event Celebrating America 250 and Black History Month A collaboration between the Chester County History Center, the Kennett Underground Railroad Center and West Chester Dance Works. Start your visit at 1:00 PM with a self‑guided tour through 300 years of Chester County history. Then, from 2:00–3:00 PM, gather in the auditorium for a dynamic […]
Lydia Hamilton Smith lived a remarkable life as the confidante of Thaddeus Stevens, but also as an accomplished woman in the years following his death. While many know Smith in relation to Stevens, she carefully crafted a life shaped by hard work, dignity, and egalitarian values. An astute businesswoman and an important figure in social […]
Step back in time and immerse yourself in history with this interactive reenactment of the Underground Railroad. Experience the journey firsthand, meet passionate storytellers, and uncover stories that shaped a nation. This in-person event is perfect for history buffs and curious minds alike. Don’t miss out on a powerful, engaging way to connect with the […]
Living the Experience is a spiritual, interactive reenactment of the Underground railroad. Patrons get a chance to step inside the shoes of Africans seeking their freedom in the 1800's in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The production is the first Underground Railroad reenactment in Central Pennsylvania and has been sharing the story for 27 years. Each includes our […]
DR. LEROY HOPKINS, Facilitator COWITZ CHARLOT, Respondent WILLIAM WHIPPER 1834 - THE SLAVERY OF INTEMPERANCE Michelle Alexander - The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness Event is free but registration is required
Join us at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery for LancasterHistory’s annual wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of Lydia Hamilton Smith. Smith was Thaddeus Stevens’ housekeeper, a businesswoman in her own right, and also a devout Roman Catholic who was buried at St. Mary’s upon her death in 1884. Taking place on Smith’s birthday, the ceremony […]
Initial announcement. The theme is "Courage and Perseverance on the Underground Railroad." The keynote speaker is Dr. Jordan Denson from Lincoln University. Dr. N. A. Okur Professor and Graduate Director Africology, Temple University More details to follow.
