Join us as we honor the latest recipients of the Henry James Young Awards. This year, the honorees are Rebecca Anstine and Cindy Hartman (posthumously). Light refreshments will be served.

More details and free registration here.

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.

For details and free registration, visit ​https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

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).

Sponsored by the DAR James Smith Yorktown Chapter and PA state regent Elizabeth Watkins, in honor of America's 250th anniversary.

Friday, May 6, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
York Colonial Courthouse
205 West Market Street, York, PA 17401

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 at 205 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.

​For details and free registration, visit ​https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

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.

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.

For details and free registration, visit ​https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html
​

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. 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.

For details and free registration, visit ​https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

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.

For details and free registration, visit ​https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

November 7, 2021 - The Churches and Chaplains of York County During the Civil War
Presented by Scott Mingus, Cannonball Blog.

Join multiple award-winning author and longtime blogger Scott Mingus as he presents a PowerPoint slide talk on several churches and chaplains with local ties.

For details and free registration, visit ​https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html​

October 3, 2021 - Genealogical Resources of the York County History Center’s Library and Archives

Nicole Smith, Director of the Library and Archives, will give a presentation on useful resources in York County genealogy research available through the History Center. 

For details and free registration, visit ​https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

How to Navigate the Pennsylvania State Archives’ Online Resources
Presented by Aaron McWilliams, Pennsylvania State Archives.

Our program on August 29, 2021 provides a detailed overview of the Archives’ finding aids, research guides, and online records. It covers how to use the new finding aids and research guides to explore the collections and find specific records, as well as the Archives’ digital collection and how to navigate them.  
​
For details and free registration, visit ​www.scpgs.org/meetings.html