Wednesday, June 10 is the fundraiser at Two Cousins Reamstown to benefit the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV). What better way to support YOUR HISTORY than by eating delicious food? 15% of eligible sales will be donated to the HSCV. You MUST SHOW THE FLYER below (either print a hard copy or show on your phone) and you MUST PAY CASH! Offer is for dine-in or takeout. Thank you to Two Cousins for once again partnering with the HSCV and to all our supporters!!
This year’s members picnic will be held at the Reamstown Memorial Park in Reamstown at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, June 17th. (Please note the DATE CHANGE due to construction on the park playground).
The meal will be catered by Big John Nolt’s BBQ from Stevens. The menu will be an all you-can-eat buffet of barbecue chicken (boneless, skinless thighs) and pulled pork (with sauce on the side), mac and cheese, baked beans, red beet eggs, pickles and olives, a variety of homemake cookies, cookie bars and pies. Ice tea, fruit punch, water, coffee, rolls and butter will round up the offerings.
Interested members should send a check for $24.00 per adult or $15.00 per child (age 4-11) no later than June 14, payable to HSCV, P.O. Box 193, Ephrata, PA. 17522. Please note that no tickets will issued. You will be asked to sign in when you attend. For more information call HSCV at (717) 733-1616.
The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) is pleased to announce that the Theodore R. Sprecher Museum is once again open after a scheduled winter break. With the reopening, the society introduces a new feature exhibit, “The Many Faces of Freedom” which focuses on the Revolutionary War and how it affected the lives of everyday citizens in the Cocalico Valley.
On display are many items indicative of the war effort, including typical gear that would have been used by a member of the militia, an original pay receipt, copies of fines paid by non-Associators who chose not to fight, and the uniform of a sharpshooter.
The exhibit also shares detailed information on the military hospitals at Reamstown and Ephrata, a complete list of men in the Cocalico Valley who served, detailed information on the Anabaptist community which opposed the war on religious grounds, and reproductions of clothing that area residents would have been wearing at the time of the Revolution.
Also highlighted throughout the museum’s permanent displays are artifacts from the 18th century that were locally used or produced.
Finally, a travelling diorama of the Ephrata area, circa 1776, will be shared between the HSCV and the Ephrata Cloister. When it is in residence at the HSCV, guests will be directed to the Education Room of the Library to view this scale model of a 4×2 mile area with the Cloister settlement in the center.
The museum is open every Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm, March through December and admission is always free to the public.
The annual election of Officers and Trustees of the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) was held on October 22, 2025. In addition to elected positions, the HSCV welcomes the Committee Chairpersons who help to keep the society running smoothly. This group of dedicated volunteers is committed to the mission of the HSCV and is busy planning exciting events for 2026.
Front row, seated L to R: Pat Wolf, Vice President; Angela Stewart, President; Joanne Bender, Recording Secretary and Publicity Chair; Robert Snader, Treasurer.
Standing L to R: David Wise, Trustee; Pamela Ruoff, Trustee; Jean Kulp, Trustee; Debra Martin, Trustee; James Kimmel, Trustee and Education Chair; Jodi Showalter, Trustee; Fred Flinchbaugh, Trustee; Douglas Gehr, Trustee and Museum & Library Chair; Penny Lyba, Corresponding Secretary and Program Chair; Maureen Nichols, Trustee; and Ann Snader, Nominating & Bylaws Chair.
Missing from photo: Trustees Madelyn Marks and Delores Neuber as well as Committee Chairs Robert Eberly, Newsletter; Robert Lausch, Property Maintenance; Randy Newcomer, Membership and Print Shop; Diana Palsgrove, Finance & Endowment; and Clarence Spohn, Publications.
The Lancaster County Barn Tour book, created in cooperation between the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster (HPTLC) and the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) is still available!
We’ve got less than 150 remaining from our initial 1,000 copies, and a second printing is not guaranteed. Books are $35.00 and can be picked up in person at the HSCV.
The tour books are still available to purchase online (click the picture below), at the Historical Society during normal business hours, and at the following locations throughout Lancaster County:
Order Barn Tour Book Online
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., March through December.
Closed January and February.
Other times by appointment with a 24 hour notice.
Schools & organizations welcome!
Free to the public.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We are dedicated to discovering, gathering and preserving materials and data relative to the community known as the Cocalico Valley. All items in the museum collection were either made in the Cocalico Valley or were used by and/or owned by people living in the area. The Cocalico Valley encompasses ten municipalities in Northern Lancaster County — the Boroughs of Adamstown, Akron, Denver, and Ephrata and the Townships of East and West Cocalico, Clay, Ephrata, West Earl, and a portion of Earl.
