A glimpse into our 7th Annual Ms. Barbara's Tea (named in honor of Ms. Barbara Dorsey), an afternoon of fellowship, reflection, and storytelling. Through elegant settings, meaningful displays, and community connection, we honored the lives and legacies that continue to shape our shared history.

Our yearly clean-up of historic Stevens Greenland Cemetery.

We're honored to partner with Historic Rock Ford and the School District of Lancaster on the Lancaster City Witness Stones Project, a powerful initiative that brings hidden history back into the light. At the recent dedication on April 8th at Franklin & Marshall, these students stood and spoke their names out loud, with intention; restoring something that had been taken: recognition, dignity, humanity. And for two individuals whose names have not yet been recovered, there was still space made. Because even without a name, their lives mattered. Their stories mattered. 

For more photos you can visit: https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/ef37ce0bfbec47afba88a4d5c3939f6a 

Lydia Hamilton Smith (portrayed by Darlene Colon), Thaddeus Stevens' housekeeper, an astute businesswoman, and devout Roman Catholic, was honored with LancasterHistory's annual wreath-laying ceremony at her gravesite.

Members of the AAHSSCPA partnered with  students from Lancaster Country Day School for an immersive Underground  Railroad tour through Wrightsville, Columbia, and Lancaster. As  part of a documentary project, students recorded video at historic  sites and interviewed local site hosts to capture the stories connected to each location including the Mifflin House and Mount Pisgah Cemetery in York County; the William and Deborah Wright Home, Tow Hill, and Mount Zion  Cemetery in Columbia (Lancaster County), along with a visit to the future Underground Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania; and the Shreiner-Concord Cemetery and the upcoming Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy in Lancaster.

President Nelson Polite, Jr. and VP/Archivist Shianne Hargrove attended the City of Lancaster's Pan-African flag raising at City Hall to bring in Black History Month. Organized with local Black organizations, the ceremony honored the contributions, resilience, and history of the Black community in Lancaster. The flag serves as a symbol of unity, pride, and progress.

Photos from our 2025 Annual Luncheon that was held at the Holiday Inn, Lancaster. Guest speaker Tony Spencer, a vocalist, artist, poet, and storyteller shared the story of his great-great-grandfather, James Spencer, who played a key role in founding Freetown, a safe haven for African Americans in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.