Events

2025 Annual Gathering of LancasterHistory

  • June 25, 2025
  • LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603
  • 5:30-7:30pm
  • Tickets Begin at $100
A color illustration of Thaddeus Stevens, James Buchanan, and a frog caddie playing golf.
Artwork by Mike Abel

Enjoy a summer evening of history and fellowship on Wednesday, June 25! Savor decadent light bites and refreshing cocktails, explore captivating exhibits, and stroll the lush grounds of the Tanger Arboretum. Challenge your friends to lively games and learn about what’s ahead at LancasterHistory! And, don’t miss our exciting new way to directly support artifacts and projects: investing in our “Pet Project” Program.

All proceeds from the Annual Gathering benefit the education and public programs of LancasterHistory.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

  • Beginning at 5:30pm: Cocktails & decadent bites
  • 6pm: Brief Remarks by Robin Sarratt, President & CEO of LancasterHistory
  • Special Opportunities throughout the Evening
    • Old Buck’s Wine Pull
    • Lawn Games, including 3-hole mini golf, generously donated by Time of Your Life Game Rentals
    • Sneak Peek of New Historic Artifacts
    • “Pet Project” Adoption Fair

RESERVATIONS

Tickets are available at the levels below. Each level is preceded by the name of said level (ex. “Preservation Pioneer”), followed by the price per person. Each ticket includes admission to the event, light bites, and drinks. The higher the level, the more support you give to LancasterHistory. While some table seating will be available, this event is not a sit-down dinner but an elevated cocktail party.

  • Individual Ticket: $100/person
  • Heritage Champion: $250/person
  • Preservation Pioneer: $500/person
  • LancasterHistory Legend: $1,000/person

A portion of each ticket level is tax deductible. For higher levels ($250 and up), an added benefit is attendees name(s) listed on the event program.

The deadline to RSVP has passed. Thank you for your interest!

Unable to attend but want to show your support? Consider making a gift! Thank you for your generosity!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There is ample parking available on-site at LancasterHistory. “Dressy casual” dress is suggested for this event (ex. sundresses, khakis with blazer, collared shirt, etc…).

 

Special Thanks to Our Event Partner

Groff Funeral and Cremation Services logo

With thanks to the following partners for their ongoing support of educational programs at LancasterHistory

Various logos for businesses.

Featured Event Fundraiser In-Person Event

July Storytime | “Of Thee I Sing”

The book cover of "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters."Gather ’round for Storytime each Thursday this July! Each week, we’ll read aloud from a book centered on a historical theme or story, followed by a craft or activity inspired by that week’s book. For July 3, we’ll be reading Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters by Barack Obama (Illustrated by Loren Long).

In this poignant letter to his daughters, Barack Obama has written a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation. From the artistry of Georgia O’Keeffe, to the courage of Jackie Robinson, to the patriotism of George Washington, Obama sees the traits of these heroes within his own children, and within all of America’s children. Breathtaking, evocative illustrations by award-winning artist Loren Long at once capture the personalities and achievements of these great Americans and the innocence and promise of childhood. (Penguin Random House)

Storytime is free, and registration is requested to ensure we have craft supplies for everyone. Storytime is designed for young readers, ages 2-6, but older and younger siblings or friends are welcome to attend. Register for all Storytime programs or individual programs online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633.

Storytime will take place outdoors unless it rains, in which case it will be moved indoors. We kindly ask that at least one (1) adult 18 years or older attend for every household.

Children's Program Family-Friendly In-Person Event Outdoor

July 3, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 10-11am FREE | Registration Requested

Wheatland “At Your Own Pace”

McMaster’s portrait of Buchanan hanging above the mantle in Wheatland’s parlor. (Courtesy of Larry Lefever Photography)

Explore President James Buchanan’s Wheatland at your own pace. On this self-guided tour, you can explore the President’s home and see what you want for as long as you want. Tour guides will be stationed around the mansion to provide visitors with information about the spaces, objects, and people who once called Wheatland home.

At-Your-Own-Pace tours are great for families (pick up a scavenger hunt from reception on your way in!) and those who want to take their time viewing the mansion in contrast to our regular ‘guided tour’ experience. Spend as little or as much time (within operating hours!) as you’d like in President Buchanan’s beloved home.

“Go-At-Your-Own-Pace” Tours are only available on Saturday, July 5. Entry times are every 30 minutes from 10am (first tour entry) until 3pm (last tour entry). Ticket purchase also includes self-guided access to LancasterHistory’s museum exhibitions. Tickets are $17/Adult (14+), $15/Senior (65+), $10/Youth (6-13), and free for children 5 and under. LancasterHistory Members receive complimentary admission. This tour is eligible for our Museums for All rate!

To purchase tickets in advance, please go online or call (717) 392-4633. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.

At Your Own Pace Tour Family-Friendly In-Person Event Tour

July 5, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA Tour Entry Every 30 Minutes, 10am - 3pm FREE/Members | $17/Adults (18+) | $15/Seniors (65+) | $10 (11-College ID)

July Storytime | “Froggy Learns to Swim”

Image of the book cover of "Froggy Learns To Swim," with an illustration of a cartoon frog wearing swim trunks and scuba gear.Gather ’round for Storytime each Thursday this July! Each week, we’ll read aloud from a book centered on a historical theme or story, followed by a craft or activity inspired by that week’s book. For July 10, we’ll be reading Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathan London (Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz).

Frogs are supposed to be great swimmers. “Not me!” says Froggy, who’s afraid of the water. But with a little encouragement, some practice, and the help of a silly song or two, Froggy becomes an expert frog-kicker! (Penguin Random House)

Storytime is free, and registration is requested to ensure we have craft supplies for everyone. Storytime is designed for young readers, ages 2-6, but older and younger siblings or friends are welcome to attend. Register for all Storytime programs or individual programs online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633.

Storytime will take place outdoors unless it rains, in which case it will be moved indoors. We kindly ask that at least one (1) adult 18 years or older attend for every household.

Children's Program Family-Friendly In-Person Event Outdoor

July 10, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 10-11am FREE | Registration Requested

History Happy Hour

In addition to being the home of Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith, the corner of South Queen and East Vine Streets is home to a rich history of beer and brewing. Here, in 1759, John Frick founded one of the oldest breweries in Lancaster. In the 1860s, the building became a popular lager beer saloon where even the teetotaling Thaddeus Stevens occasionally enjoyed a drink. Enjoy a drink and light bites at LancasterHistory’s popular History Happy Hour, inside the Stevens & Smith Center!

A lively talk about the Stevens & Smith Center’s brewing and drinking history will be hosted by Stephanie Townrow, Director of Interpretation & Exhibitions at LancasterHistory’s Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Delaware. Stephanie brings a deep knowledge of historic foodways and years of experience researching Stevens, Smith, and the history of the site—as well as a love of beer and history.

History Happy Hour will take place on Thursday, July 10 from 5:30 – 7:30pm at the Stevens & Smith Center, 13-15 East Vine Street, Lancaster, PA. Doors open at 5:30pm and the main program will begin at 6pm. We’re excited to partner with Raney Cellars Brewing Company of Millersville, PA who will be providing and serving History Happy Hour’s beer selection for the evening!

Tickets are $35/person and include access to event, the program by Stephanie Townrow, and a drink and light appetizers. Event suggested for ages 18 or older, and individuals must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available.

Tickets go on sale Monday, June 30, 2025 at 10am Eastern. Once tickets sell out, there will not be a waiting list. We appreciate your enthusiasm for history!

Purchase Tickets

Thank You to Our History Happy Hour Sponsor!

 

In-Person Event Off-Site Event Program

July 10, 2025 The Stevens & Smith Center, 13-15 E. Vine Str., Lancaster, PA 5:30 - 7:30pm $35/person

Music on the Lawn, feat. Trouble with Annie

An image of the band members of Trouble with Annie.
Trouble with Annie

Music on the Lawn returns this summer with more fantastic local bands in James Buchanan’s backyard! This family- (and dog-) friendly event welcomes attendees to relax and enjoy an evening outdoors with live music. July’s concert features Trouble with Annie playing the best of country music from the ’90s through the 2000s.

Tickets are free for LancasterHistory Members, $10/Adult (18+) Non-Members, and free for Children 17 & Under. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (717) 392-4633. Tickets are also available at-the-door with cash or card (cash preferred).

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets, foldable chairs, and picnics. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. If you require any special accommodations to attend, please notify Annie Weeks at (717) 392-4633, ext. 134 or annie.weeks@lancasterhistory.org in advance. Restrooms available onsite. In the event of inclement weather, the call will be made at noon on July 12 and ticketholders will be notified. The rain date for this event is Sunday, July 13 from 1-3pm.

 

Many Thanks to Our 2025 Music on the Lawn Season Sponsors!

A graphic with the sponsor logos of Mosaic by Willow Valley Communities, Ville Painters, EHD, and Yurchak Printing.

Family-Friendly In-Person Event Outdoor

July 12, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 5-7pm FREE/LancasterHistory Members | $10/Non-Member Adults (18+) | FREE/Children 17 & Under

July Storytime | “Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books”

The book cover of "Abe Lincoln" with an illustrated cover of a book sitting in a tall tree reading.Gather ’round for Storytime each Thursday this July! Each week, we’ll read aloud from a book centered on a historical theme or story, followed by a craft or activity inspired by that week’s book. For July 17, we’ll be reading Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books by Kay Winters (Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter).

Learn about the early life of Abraham Lincoln in this picture book biography that Kirkus Reviews calls “a moving tribute to the power of books and words.” In a tiny log cabin a boy listened with delight to the storytelling of his ma and pa. He traced letters in sand, snow, and dust. He borrowed books and walked miles to bring them back. When he grew up, he became the sixteenth president of the United States. His name was Abraham Lincoln. (Simon & Schuster)

Storytime is free, and registration is requested to ensure we have craft supplies for everyone. Storytime is designed for young readers, ages 2-6, but older and younger siblings or friends are welcome to attend. Register for all Storytime programs or individual programs online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633.

Storytime will take place outdoors unless it rains, in which case it will be moved indoors. We kindly ask that at least one (1) adult 18 years or older attend for every household.

Children's Program Family-Friendly In-Person Event Outdoor

July 17, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 10-11am FREE | Registration Requested

July Storytime | “Sofia Valdez, Future Prez”

Book cover for "Sofia Valdez, Future Prez."

Gather ’round for Storytime each Thursday this July! Each week, we’ll read aloud from a book centered on a historical theme or story, followed by a craft or activity inspired by that week’s book. For July 24, we’ll be reading Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty (Illustrated by David Roberts).

Children who join Sofia in her story will learn that they can help their community—or even one day become president of the United States! Every morning, Abuelo walks Sofia to school . . . until one day when Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill, and he can no longer do so. Sofia (aka Sofi) misses her Abuelo and wonders what she can do about the dangerous Mount Trashmore. Then she gets an idea: The town can turn the slimy mess into a park! She brainstorms and plans and finally works up the courage to go to City Hall—only to be told by a clerk that she can’t build a park because she’s just a kid! Sofia is down but not out, and she sets out to prove what one kid can do. (Abrams Books)

Storytime is free, and registration is requested to ensure we have craft supplies for everyone. Storytime is designed for young readers, ages 2-6, but older and younger siblings or friends are welcome to attend. Register for all Storytime programs or individual programs online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633.

Storytime will take place outdoors unless it rains, in which case it will be moved indoors. We kindly ask that at least one (1) adult 18 years or older attend for every household.

Children's Program Family-Friendly In-Person Event Outdoor

July 24, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 10-11am FREE | Registration Requested

Butterflies & Moths As Pollinators

A woman with light skin and mid-length blonde hair. She wears glasses, butterfly earrings, and a blue button up shirt.
Debra Carman

Discover the worlds of some of our favorite pollinators, butterflies and moths, at July’s Nature Series program! Master Gardener Deb Carman will present on the niche that lepidopterans (butterflies and moths) occupy among other insect pollinators. Learn about the similarities and differences between dazzling butterflies and marvelous moths, as well as what native plants attract certain species.

Debra Carman is a Penn State Master Gardener (York County), Chair of the Native Plant Habitat Committee, and a butterfly and moth habitat specialist. Carmon’s mission is to inspire others to make positive environmental changes in their gardening practices. She enjoys teaching the importance of creating environmentally friendly habitats with native plants that foster food webs for all wildlife.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “Butterflies & Moths As Pollinators” will take place on Saturday, July 26 at 10am at LancasterHistory. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $10/Adults and $5/Children (17 & Under). Friends of the Tanger Arboretum members receive complimentary admission, but should still register for the program. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (717) 392-4633. Advance tickets recommended as walk-in tickets are not guaranteed.

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

Membership gets you more! Membership to the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum not only supports the care and conservation of this local natural resource, but also gets you great benefits such as complimentary admission to Nature Series programs! Learn more about membership and sign up today here.

The Friends of the Tanger Arboretum is a member of the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission Program. AHS Reciprocal Admission Program members may register for tickets in advance and must show a valid membership card upon checking in. AHS Members should contact Emily Miller, emily.miller@lancasterhistory.org, with any questions or to register for tickets in advance.


This event is hosted by the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum. The Friends of the Tanger Arboretum, a subsidiary organization of LancasterHistory, helps foster public interest in, and support for, the maintenance and development of the Tanger Arboretum as a community asset. To learn more about the Arboretum or to become a member, please visit the Arboretum’s webpage.

 


The 2025 Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Nature Series is sponsored by Ever Green Tree & Lawn Care! Thank you for your support!

Family-Friendly In-Person Event Nature Series Program

July 26, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 10-11:30am $10/Adults | $5/Children (17 & Under) | FREE for Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Members

July Storytime | “Acorn Was A Little Wild”

Book cover of "Acorn Was A Little Wild" featuring an illustration of an anthropomorphic acorn falling through the leaves.Gather ’round for Storytime each Thursday this July! Each week, we’ll read aloud from a book centered on a historical theme or story, followed by a craft or activity inspired by that week’s book. For July 31, we’ll be reading Acorn Was A Little Wild by Jen Arena (Illustrated by Jessica Gibson).

When Acorn jumps off the oak tree, he finds a wide world full of exciting new experiences! A charming picture book about a young acorn’s grand adventure and the incredible transformation that follows. (Scholastic Books)

Storytime is free, and registration is requested to ensure we have craft supplies for everyone. Storytime is designed for young readers, ages 2-6, but older and younger siblings or friends are welcome to attend. Register for all Storytime programs or individual programs online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633.

Storytime will take place outdoors unless it rains, in which case it will be moved indoors. We kindly ask that at least one (1) adult 18 years or older attend for every household.

Children's Program Family-Friendly In-Person Event Outdoor

July 31, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 10-11am FREE | Registration Requested