The beautiful town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania was named after the city of Lancaster in England, and, like its namesake, it has a rich and exciting history. During the late 18th century to the early 19th century, Lancaster was the largest inland town in America, and it served as our nation’s capital for one entire day when the Continental Congress met there in September 1777.
As you enjoy the offerings of this well-preserved and historically important city, don’t forget to explore Lancaster County’s back roads, which meander past lush farmland, graceful streams and old-fashioned horse-drawn buggies. From the peaceful Amish countryside and quaint country stores to excellent theater and cultural attractions, Lancaster has it all.
You might need several days to get a taste of what this wonderful city has to offer. A good place to start is The Historic Lancaster Walking Tour. Begun during the nation's bicentennial celebration in 1976, the tours were so successful they are now a must for anyone visiting Lancaster. After an introductory presentation, costumed guides conduct a 2 hour walking tour of 20 important sites in historic downtown Lancaster. Learning about history has never been more fun!
One block west of Penn Square, at the center of Lancaster, is the Fulton Opera House, America's oldest theater in continuous operation. When it was completed in October 1852, the large Italianate structure became the city's cultural center, and performers have included the Barrymores, George M. Cohan, Sarah Bernhardt, and Al Jolson.
The Demuth Foundation & Gardens was founded to promote the work of artist Charles Demuth (1883-1935), maintain his home as a museum and art gallery, and to preserve the adjacent 18th century buildings that belonged to the Demuth family for generations. Charles Demuth was a watercolor artist who mixed new cubist influences with realistic subjects. Some of his close acquaintances included playwright Eugene O'Neill, painter Georgia O'Keefe and poet William Carlos Williams. As a special treat, be sure to visit the family’s tobacco shop, which was founded circa 1770.
To gain some insight into the African American experience during the Civil War, be sure to visit the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Serving as a "station" of the Underground Railroad, the church offers the Living the Experience, a poignant living history production of the Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania.
The Heritage Center Museum features regional 18th and 19th century furniture, quilts, silver, fine arts and other media, which preserve and interpret Lancaster County's history. The Museum, built in 1795-97, maintains a permanent collection, stages annual exhibitions and conducts extensive educational programs.
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