African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania

07/17/2025

We had the pleasure of hosting an enriching experience for the youth camp from First Baptist Church of Passtown yesterday. The children exhibited an extraordinary interest in history and learned so much. For special pricing on youth groups and students, please contact us. We would be honored to share our story with them!

06/23/2025

06/06/2025

On Tuesday, May 27, the African American Historical Society of SPCA, Historic Rock Ford, and the School District of Lancaster unveiled the Lancaster City Witness Stones Project. This project places small brass memorials on brick verges to honor those enslaved in Lancaster County. To read speeches from J.P. McCaskey High School Students Ty London, Makayla Resel, Hasset Tafaye DeSalgn, and Hana Rebel, who all researched the lives of four enslaved individuals whose names were honored, please visit our website https://www.aahsscpa.org/

05/11/2025

Yesterday, the African American Historical Society of SCPA (AAHSSCPA) board and members were among the many diverse organizations participating in this year’s 10th Annual Open Streets Lancaster. It was a very windy day💨, but that didn’t stop our members from putting their best foot forward and interacting with as many people as they could. The day was filled with laughter, fun, and, most importantly, education. Thank you to the team for organizing this lovely event. Be sure to come out next year to support the African American Historical Society of SCPA.

04/30/2025

The African American Historical Society of South-Central Pennsylvania’s guided walking tours are back! Join us from May to November 2025 to explore African American history in Downtown and Southeast Lancaster. Register today for our first tour on Saturday, May 3, from 11-2pm. We will depart from the City of Lancaster Visitor Center(Visit Lancaster City). The African American Heritage Walking Tours will help you gain insight into the roots of African American history in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. You will learn about the roles of African American abolitionists, freedom seekers, civil rights activists, African American business owners, and more! To learn how you can register, please visit our website https://www.aahsscpa.org/guidedwalkingtours

02/10/2025

Join us on Saturday, February 15, at 1 p.m. for our 6th Annual Tea, honoring the memory of Ms. Barbara Dorsey, a beloved member of the organization. We will also give a special presentation on the life and legacy of William G. Payne, an entrepreneur and caterer who resided in Lancaster in the early 1900s. You don’t want to miss this lovely event! Learn more by visiting our website: www.aahsscpa.org/annual-tea.

09/20/2024

We would like to thank for their enthralling performance of August Wilson’s play “The Piano Lesson,” which members of AAHHSCPA got to experience at our Annual Luncheon last Saturday. We would also like for hosting our event. Thank you to our members and donors for making this year’s 10th Annual Luncheon a special one!

08/17/2024

08/15/2024

Save the date! AAHSSCPA will host our Annual Luncheon on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the Holiday Inn, Imperial Blue room on 26 E. Chestnut Street. The luncheon will feature a performance of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson" by the Lancaster Shakespeare Theatre. Click the link to find out more: https://www.aahsscpa.org/annual-luncheon

08/15/2024

AAHSSCPA was invited to attend a special tour of the brand new York County History Center in July. Members spent time exploring interactive exhibits and learning about important figures, artifacts, and events that shaped the landscape of York County. Thanks again to the York County History Center for inviting us to your beautiful facility!

06/20/2024

| Today, we observe Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day), commemorating the emancipation of over 250,000 African Americans in Texas, who, on June 19, 1865, were freed nearly two years after The Emancipation Proclamation. As we celebrate this federal holiday, it is important to note that many Northern states, like Pennsylvania, were also complicit in the enslavement of African Americans.

Though not as large as the enslaved population in Texas, over 6,000 African Americans were forced into slavery in Pennsylvania, with 125 enslaved in Lancaster County. The Gradual Abolition Act of 1780 would make Pennsylvania the first state in the US to begin the abolition of slavery. This act prohibited further importation of enslaved people into the state. However, there were stipulations. Pennsylvania established a registry, forcing the children of enslaved women born before 1780 to remain in bo***ge until the age of 28.

In the years after the Gradual Abolition Act, many newly freed African Americans ventured behind the confines of Lancaster City. A significant population would migrate to the Welsh Mountains in Lancaster County. The area is the second-longest contiguous forest in Pennsylvania. As seen in this photo, taken in 1886, families of the former enslaved settled in cabins along the 20-mile wooded ridge. Many would find work as farmers and laborers. In 1900, roughly 125 African Americans lived in the mountains, and by 1963, more than 300 multi-ethnic families cohabited in the Welsh Mountains.

05/16/2024

It’s that time again! Join us this Saturday for our annual bus trip to the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center in Maryland. Learn about the legacy and history of African American students and the importance of education in Hartford County. Read the flyer below to find out more!