Meeting and EventsMonthly meetings are held in the Meeting Hall of the York County History Center at 250 East Market Street, York, Pennsylvania, unless otherwise noted. The business portion of the meeting begins at 2:15 PM and the program begins at about 2:30 PM.
IMPORTANT: COVID 19 Considerations The York County History Center reopened to the public on April 1, 2021, with limited reservations. In addition to limited in-person seating, our meetings will also be live-streamed online via Facebook and Zoom. To register for in-person attendance or Zoom registration, visit https://www.yorkhistorycenter.org/event/south-central-pennsylvania-genealogical-society To attend via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YorkCountyHistoryCenter/ Our upcoming meetings are scheduled as follows ... January 2, 2022
The Architecture of the Dempwolfs Presented by Mark Shermeyer, President, SAA Architects. A history of the genealogy, education, and careers of the Dempwolf architects of York County, from approximately 1874 to 1930, and their contributions to the architectural heritage of the region. Mark Shermeyer is a native of York, PA and President and founder of SAA Architects, Inc., a York-based architectural firm currently celebrating its 25th year. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and spent his early career working in Pittsburgh, PA, Baltimore, MD and Lancaster, PA, returning to the York area to found SAA Architects, which has subsequently grown into an 18-person firm with a diverse portfolio and currently active in approximately 18 different states. His personal experience and project portfolio includes specialties in historic buildings and adaptive reuse projects. Mark has been a member and past chair of the York Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) since 1998, Past Member of the Historic York, Inc. Board of Directors, Member and Past Chair of the Affordable Housing Advocates Board of Directors (formerly York Area Housing Group) since 2014, and Member of the York County Community Foundation Sustainable Energy Committee since 2018. Mark’s relationship with the Historical Society of York County began in the summers of 1978 and 1979, where he worked as a student intern in the Library Archives. He began researching the Dempwolf architectural firm around 1980 at the encouragement of the staff of Historic York, Inc. The Dempwolf architects became the subject of his thesis at Carnegie Mellon and he continues to give public presentations on their contributions to the architectural heritage of the region. During this research he became friends with local architect C. WIlliam Dize, and encouraged Bill to donate his collection of Dempwolf linen drawings to the Library Archives. Mark and His wife, Lavonne, a retired Registered Nurse, reside in York Township in a LEED certified house he designed. |
PAST PROGRAMS ARCHIVE Nov 2021 - The Churches and Chaplains of York County During the Civil War Oct 2021 - Genealogical Resources of the York County History Center’s Library and Archives Aug 2021 - Pennsylvania State Archives’ Online Resources Jun 2021 -History of the Henry James Young Award May 2021 - MA & PA Railroad Heritage Village visit Apr 2021 - Cumberland County Records Mar 2021 - PA State Archives Moves Into the Future Feb 2021 - York County Coroner's Office Aug 2020 - Using Online Newspaper Collections in Research Oct 2020 - Genealogical Adventures During the Pandemic Nov 2020 - Using Oral History in Genealogical Research |
February 6, 2022
Pennsylvania’s Celtic Language Heritage
Presented by Charles "Chip" Kauffman.
The richness of Pennsylvania history is seasoned uniquely by language contributions of immigrants to America from Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Thousands of years earlier, the Celts, as the Greeks called them, comprised diverse tribes that spoke related languages across Europe and the British Isles – languages that would become Welsh, Irish, and Scottish. This presentation briefly covers the early history of Celtic languages and concentrates mainly on Pennsylvania’s Celtic language heritage in expressions, names, and place names as derived from Welsh, Irish, and Scottish immigrants.
Charles “Chip” Kauffman is an adjunct faculty member at York College of Pennsylvania where he teaches World Languages. Over many years at several colleges in the region, he has taught Italian, German, Russian and other languages. He is a retired certified U.S. Government linguist and author of various articles on languages and linguistics.
Pennsylvania’s Celtic Language Heritage
Presented by Charles "Chip" Kauffman.
The richness of Pennsylvania history is seasoned uniquely by language contributions of immigrants to America from Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Thousands of years earlier, the Celts, as the Greeks called them, comprised diverse tribes that spoke related languages across Europe and the British Isles – languages that would become Welsh, Irish, and Scottish. This presentation briefly covers the early history of Celtic languages and concentrates mainly on Pennsylvania’s Celtic language heritage in expressions, names, and place names as derived from Welsh, Irish, and Scottish immigrants.
Charles “Chip” Kauffman is an adjunct faculty member at York College of Pennsylvania where he teaches World Languages. Over many years at several colleges in the region, he has taught Italian, German, Russian and other languages. He is a retired certified U.S. Government linguist and author of various articles on languages and linguistics.
March 6, 2022
Eighteenth-Century Gunsmithing in Eastern Pennsylvania
Presented by Brad Emig, Owner & Craftsman, Cabin Creek Muzzleloading.
This program will present and share information pertaining to the gunsmith trade as practiced during the colonial period in eastern Pennsylvania. Topics of discussion will include technology, materials, tools, and the tangible effects of diverse cultural influences on material products. Tools and other objects will be on display.
*** Note: This program will be most effective if one attends in person. Brad plans to bring along items to show us, and he will stay after the formal presentation has concluded to discuss them or any other questions. He will accept questions during his talk.
Brad Emig, proprietor and master craftsman of Cabin Creek Muzzleloading in Hallam, is one of the country's preeminent gun builders using eighteenth-century gunsmithing technology. Before opening Cabin Creek in 1995 as a private-sector gun shop operated according to eighteenth-century principles and technology, he transformed the gun shop at the Landis Valley Farm Museum from a static display to a fully functional, working representation of a gun shop from that period, and practiced his craft there for eleven years. In addition to crafting authentic guns, he offers Arms Making Workshops along with his son Shane.
Eighteenth-Century Gunsmithing in Eastern Pennsylvania
Presented by Brad Emig, Owner & Craftsman, Cabin Creek Muzzleloading.
This program will present and share information pertaining to the gunsmith trade as practiced during the colonial period in eastern Pennsylvania. Topics of discussion will include technology, materials, tools, and the tangible effects of diverse cultural influences on material products. Tools and other objects will be on display.
*** Note: This program will be most effective if one attends in person. Brad plans to bring along items to show us, and he will stay after the formal presentation has concluded to discuss them or any other questions. He will accept questions during his talk.
Brad Emig, proprietor and master craftsman of Cabin Creek Muzzleloading in Hallam, is one of the country's preeminent gun builders using eighteenth-century gunsmithing technology. Before opening Cabin Creek in 1995 as a private-sector gun shop operated according to eighteenth-century principles and technology, he transformed the gun shop at the Landis Valley Farm Museum from a static display to a fully functional, working representation of a gun shop from that period, and practiced his craft there for eleven years. In addition to crafting authentic guns, he offers Arms Making Workshops along with his son Shane.
April 3, 2022
The Challenges Facing the Continental Congress in Yorktown, Pennsylvania
Presented by Tom Gibson, Volunteer, York County History Center.
***Note: Held at the York History Center Colonial Courthouse on West Market Street in York, at 2:30 p.m.***
It was a difficult time for our German-speaking ancestors in York when the congressional representatives and their families crowded into our small town, resulting in insufficient housing and a shortage of basic necessities. While George Washington and his Army were at Valley Forge, the Congress in York completed the drafting of the Articles of Confederation, our nation's first Constitution.
Please bring the kids to this family friendly, interactive program at the Colonial Court House. Leave your inhibitions behind and join Tom as we travel back in time to the year 1777, when the Continental Congress was meeting in our community.
Tom Gibson is a retired educator and thoroughly enjoys volunteering at the History Center. With significant colonial ancestry, he is a longtime member and officer of the Continental Congress Chapter of the United States Sons of the American Revolution. Tom is a Vietnam veteran, thirty year Scout leader, bicycle enthusiast, and radio engineer.
The Challenges Facing the Continental Congress in Yorktown, Pennsylvania
Presented by Tom Gibson, Volunteer, York County History Center.
***Note: Held at the York History Center Colonial Courthouse on West Market Street in York, at 2:30 p.m.***
It was a difficult time for our German-speaking ancestors in York when the congressional representatives and their families crowded into our small town, resulting in insufficient housing and a shortage of basic necessities. While George Washington and his Army were at Valley Forge, the Congress in York completed the drafting of the Articles of Confederation, our nation's first Constitution.
Please bring the kids to this family friendly, interactive program at the Colonial Court House. Leave your inhibitions behind and join Tom as we travel back in time to the year 1777, when the Continental Congress was meeting in our community.
Tom Gibson is a retired educator and thoroughly enjoys volunteering at the History Center. With significant colonial ancestry, he is a longtime member and officer of the Continental Congress Chapter of the United States Sons of the American Revolution. Tom is a Vietnam veteran, thirty year Scout leader, bicycle enthusiast, and radio engineer.
May 1, 2022
Researching the history of Institutionalized People in Pennsylvania
Presented by Tyler Stump, Pennsylvania State Archives.
Since the early 19th century, the state of Pennsylvania has operated nearly 50 different state institutions for people with intellectual and mental disabilities. Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians lived in these institutions. Today, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds the historical records created by these institutions, which are invaluable resources for researchers and genealogists. Join archivist Tyler Stump to explore this important part of Pennsylvania’s history and to learn more about what kinds of information can be found in the archives’ collections.
Tyler Stump has been an acquisitions archivist at the Pennsylvania State Archives since 2016. He mostly works with historical PA government records. He’s has published several pieces about the history of Pennsylvania’s prisons and state-run institutions, most recently an article in Pennsylvania History about Farview State Hospital, an institution in Wayne County. Tyler grew up in the Baltimore area, but his family has lived in the York Township/Dallastown area since the mid 18th century. He currently lives in Camp Hill, PA with his wife Andra (who is also an archivist at the PA House of Representatives Archives).
Researching the history of Institutionalized People in Pennsylvania
Presented by Tyler Stump, Pennsylvania State Archives.
Since the early 19th century, the state of Pennsylvania has operated nearly 50 different state institutions for people with intellectual and mental disabilities. Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians lived in these institutions. Today, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds the historical records created by these institutions, which are invaluable resources for researchers and genealogists. Join archivist Tyler Stump to explore this important part of Pennsylvania’s history and to learn more about what kinds of information can be found in the archives’ collections.
Tyler Stump has been an acquisitions archivist at the Pennsylvania State Archives since 2016. He mostly works with historical PA government records. He’s has published several pieces about the history of Pennsylvania’s prisons and state-run institutions, most recently an article in Pennsylvania History about Farview State Hospital, an institution in Wayne County. Tyler grew up in the Baltimore area, but his family has lived in the York Township/Dallastown area since the mid 18th century. He currently lives in Camp Hill, PA with his wife Andra (who is also an archivist at the PA House of Representatives Archives).
June 12, 2022
Henry James Young Award program
Henry James Young Award program