Community Calendar
The Community Calendar
A central part of LancasterHistory’s mission is to support the needs and interests of history-oriented organizations in our region and to bring into greater focus the extraordinary opportunities for learners of all ages to experience America’s past in Lancaster County and the surrounding region. LancasterHistory is proud to provide this Community Calendar to highlight upcoming events of history-focused institutions and organizations.
Looking for LancasterHistory’s main events calendar? View events calendar.
How To Submit An Event
If you are an authorized representative of a Lancaster County-based, history-focused institution or organization, please fill out our Community Calendar Submission form to submit your event for inclusion on this webpage. Before submitting, however, we highly recommend you review our Community Calendar Guidelines [PDF, 217kb].
A LancasterHistory staff member moderates this Community Calendar. Questions about this calendar can be directed to info@lancasterhistory.org.
Submit Event to Community Calendar
COMMUNITY CALENDAR GUIDELINES [PDF, 217KB]
Calendar Guidelines & Disclaimers
Each submission will be reviewed and must be in compliance with our Community Calendar Guidelines [PDF, 217kb]. LancasterHistory will do its best to make sure all information on this calendar is correct and up-to-date. Despite our efforts, some information may be incorrect or may have been submitted incorrectly to us. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Listings below may contain URLs to other organizations’ or institutions’ websites or ticketing pages, or other third-party URLs. These URLs do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of LancasterHistory and are for informational purposes only. LancasterHistory is not responsible for those URLs, the content found on those webpages being linked to, or those website’s privacy policies and policies on collecting data.
“Tales of History and Adventure in Shenks Ferry“
What: Presentation
When: Saturday, April 12, 2025, Doors open at 8:30am and lock at 9:15am
Cost: Free & open to the public. No tickets or registration is required.
The Millersville Area Historical Society invites the public to a slide-presentation titled “Tales of History and Adventure in Shenks Ferry” when it meets at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 12, in the Millersville Borough Administration & Police Building, 100 Municipal Drive.
Educator and Amateur Historian Adam Zurn will be the speaker. Through captivating stories and firsthand accounts, Zurn will take the audience on a personal journey to uncover the mysteries of history-rich Shenks Ferry. He’ll explain how he stumbled on a long-forgotten settler cemetery hidden in the woods, retrace his steps to reveal the tragic explosion of a dynamite factory that claimed 11 lives, and detail his odyssey to view the Safe Harbor petroglyphs—Lancaster County’s oldest known man-made artifact created by Native Americans. A Q & A period will end the discussion.
Zurn has been a Lampeter-Strasburg High School educator for 23 years, serving as Chair of the Practical Arts Department and teaching technology education and computer science. He is a member of the board of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County and the founder of Uncharted Lancaster, a website that explores the county’s hidden history through articles, treasure hunts, and guided tours.
Admission is free but donations are appreciated. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and lock at 9:15 a.m. For more details, please call or email Phil Gerber at 717.872.8837 before noon or at pge8507@aol.com.
“19th Century Gardens in PA Dutch Country: Contrasting Victorian Style and the Common Working Garden”
What: Presentation
When: Sunday, April 13, 3-5pm
Cost: Free & open to the public. No tickets or registration is required.
Michael Cassidy, Master Gardener with the Penn State Extension, will present contrasts between the 19th Century Victorian style and the common working garden with special attention to gardens in PA Dutch country and lessons for today’s gardeners. This presentation will be held on April 13th at 3pm inside the Fasig House. Admission is free, but registration is required due to limited space. Call the Society at 717-665-7981 to reserve your spot. In addition to the program, the Fasig and Keath Houses, German Colonial Homes, will be open from 1pm to 3pm for free tours, with the exception of the Keath House, which will stay open until 4pm for tours. Free parking is at the rear of the houses located at 30-32 East High St., Manheim.
” Pennsylvania Dutch Traditions: Hex Signs & Powwow”
What: Presentation
When: Sunday, May 18, 1-4pm
Where: Manheim Railroad Station Complex
Cost: Free & open to the public. No tickets or registration is required.
Join April Lynn Downey at 2 p.m. for a presentation on the rich and unique cultural traditions of the German-speaking settlers of the 17th and 18th centuries, who brought us hex signs and powwowing. She’ll explain how the folk art of the hex sign evolved, what it means, and where you might find it now. April will also talk about powwowing, which is a folk-healing blend of European folk healing and Christian faith healing that is unrelated to Native American powwows. April will also sign her books that are available for purchase.
In addition to the program, the Railroad Station Complex museums will open from 1 pm to 4 pm. Explore the 1881 Train Station, Stiegel-style Glass, Iron Stove Plates, Manheim Industries/Kendig Library Exhibition, and Model Train Exhibit. Hitch a ride on a Trolley or take part in the 19th Century Manheim Industrial Revolution Walking Tour (if the weather plays nice)! All activities are free!
Rissers Mennonite Church 250th Anniversary
Who: Risser Mennonite Church
What: Multiple events
When: Saturday June 14-15
Where: 8360 Elizabethtown Road, Elizabethtown PA
Rissers Mennonite Church was started by Peter Risser, along with his family and others, who settled in America in 1739. Join the Rissers Mennonite Church in celebrating its 250th anniversary from June 14-15, 2025 with a variety of events. For more detailed information, please click here