Events: Stevens & Smith Center

Members’ Night at the Stevens & Smith Center

Members make history happen! On Thursday, April 24 from 5-7pm, LancasterHistory members are invited to join LancasterHistory staff and the Stevens & Smith Steering Committee and Board of Directors for a delightful and energizing evening at the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy. Enjoy light bites and refreshments as you tour the site to learn about the progress that has been made and the road ahead to opening the Stevens & Smith Center in 2026. Members will enjoy unique access to the site, plus a meet and greet with local artist Scott Cantrell, the painter of five unique portraits of abolitionists that will be a part of the future museum.

This is one of a series of events scheduled throughout April and May to support the Stevens & Smith Center and its capital campaign. For a full list of upcoming events, please visit stevensandsmithcenter.org/events.

Members’ Night is free to LancasterHistory members but advance registration is encouraged. To register, please click here or call 717.392.4633. If you aren’t a member and would like to become one, please visit lancasterhistory.org/membership. The event will take place at the Stevens & Smith Center, 45 South Queen Street in Lancaster. Please use the entrance around the corner on East Vine Street. Parking is available on-street or in local garages for a fee (nearby garages include the Penn Square Garage or Steinman Park Garage).

This event has also been cross-posted to stevensandsmithcenter.org/events for ease of access.

Open House Fundraiser In-Person Event Member Event - LancasterHistory Program Reception

April 24, 2025 The Stevens & Smith Center, 45 S. Queen St., Lancaster 5-7pm FREE | Registration Requested
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May First Friday Open House

Join us on Friday, May 2, for First Friday at the Stevens & Smith Center! From 5-7pm, enjoy a sneak peek of the Stevens & Smith Center, see the incredible progress happening at this future museum, and learn about the road ahead to opening in 2026.

This is one of a series of events throughout April and May to support the Stevens & Smith Center and its capital campaign. For a full list of upcoming events, please visit stevensandsmithcenter.org/events.

The First Friday Open House on May 2 is free and open to the public and does not require advance registration. This event is also family friendly; all ages are encouraged to attend. The event will take place at the Stevens & Smith Center, 45 S. Queen Street, Lancaster. Please use the entrance around the corner on East Vine Street.

This event has also been cross-posted to stevensandsmithcenter.org/events for ease of access.

Open House Family-Friendly Fundraiser In-Person Event Reception

May 2, 2025 The Stevens & Smith Center, 45 S. Queen Str., Lancaster 5-7pm FREE

Making A Museum: The Stevens & Smith Center Story (So Far)

The Stevens & Smith Center has been in the making for decades. LancasterHistory assumed responsibility for the project in 2010, with a commitment to develop a state-of-the-art museum that will foster learning, dialogue, and reflection. Join Robin Sarratt, LancasterHistory’s President & CEO, Stephanie Townrow, Director of Exhibitions and Interpretation, and Dr. Tom Ryan, Director Emeritus, to learn about the process of making a museum from the ground up and the journey ahead.

This is one of a series of events scheduled throughout April and May to support the Stevens & Smith Center and its capital campaign. For a full list of upcoming events, please visit stevensandsmithcenter.org/events.

“Making A Museum: The Stevens & Smith Center Story (So Far)” will take place online via Zoom on Tuesday, May 13 from 7-8pm Eastern. This event will be recorded and placed on LancasterHistory’s YouTube Channel. This event is free and open to the public. To receive a Zoom link to the presentation, please register online or call 717.392.4633.

This event has also been cross-posted to stevensandsmithcenter.org/events for ease of access.

Fundraiser Online/Virtual Event Program

May 13, 2025 Zoom 7-8pm ET FREE | Registration Required
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Lunch & Learn: Lancaster in the Mid-1800s

On Friday, May 16,  join LancasterHistory at Southern Market for a unique opportunity to learn about Lancaster in the mid-1800s. Grab your lunch at one of the Market’s extraordinary vendors and discover the hustle and bustle of historic downtown Lancaster, specifically the history of the block where Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith lived and worked. From breweries to barber shops, LancasterHistory’s Stephanie Townrow will give you insight into this active block of South Queen Street sure to delight history lovers and impress friends!

This is one of a series of events scheduled throughout April and May to support the Stevens & Smith Center and its capital campaign. For a full list of upcoming events, please visit stevensandsmithcenter.org/events.

“Lunch & Learn: Lancaster in the Mid-1800s” will take place on Friday, May 16, from 12-1pm at Southern Market Lancaster, 100 S. Queen Street, Lancaster. The event is free and open to the public but requires advance registration to attend as capacity is limited. Attendees are encouraged to grab lunch before or after the presentation by patronizing Southern Market’s wonderful stand holders (no outside food, please). Drinks and desserts will be provided by LancasterHistory. To register, please click here to register online or call 717.392.4633.

This event has also been cross-posted to stevensandsmithcenter.org/events for ease of access.

Fundraiser In-Person Event Off-Site Event Program

May 16, 2025 Southern Market Lancaster, 100 S. Queen Str., Lancaster 12-1pm FREE | Registration Required
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