The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley’s (HSCV) Theodore R. Sprecher Museum will be open for special hours on Sunday, March 9, 12pm-4pm to participate in Pennsylvania’s Birthday (formerly Charter Day).
Pennsylvania was created when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in March 1681. The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) celebrates each March by opening all state museums, free of charge, to recognize our state’s birthday. This includes the Ephrata Cloister, and we wanted to join the fun!
You can visit the Cloister and the HSCV in one day! Stop in on Sunday, March 9, 12pm-4pm and help us celebrate Pennsylvania’s 344th birthday!!
The HSCV Theodore R. Sprecher museum is located within the grand circa 1868 Connell Mansion at 249 W Masin Street, Ephrata. If you miss us this Sunday, remember that the HSCV museum is open every Saturday, 10am-2pm, March through December. We hope to see you!
The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) announces that their next educational program, “History of the Conestoga River”, will be held Wednesday, February 26th at 7:00pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E Main Street, Ephrata.
Lisa Sanchez, Senior Naturalist with the Lancaster County Parks Department, will take attendees on a tour down the Conestoga River, from its earliest bridges and mills to its modern-day paddle boats and amusement parks, learning about peoples past and present along the way.
As always, this program is open free to the public. Parking lot and entrance in the rear alley. For more information, visit the society’s website at www.cocalicovalleyhs.org or call (717)733-1616. In case of inclement weather, follow the Ephrata School District closing schedule.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming HSCV programs & events:
March 26 – “The Ressler Family at Mascot”
April 23 – “Mysterious Petroglyphs of Safe Harbor”
May 28 – “The History of the Reading & Columbia Railroad”
June 25 – Members-only picnic at Brubaker Park pavillion, Fivepointville
July 23 – Members-only field trip to Blue Rock Heritage Center, Washington Boro
August 27 – “Women in the Civil War”
September 24 – Ephrata Parade food stand
October 22 – “Historic Barns of Southeastern Pennsylvania”
November – ExtraGive Fundraiser
December – Christmas at the Connell Mansion
The annual election of Officers and Trustees of the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) was held on October 23, 2024. In addition to elected positions, the HSCV welcomes the Committee Chairpersons who help to keep the society running smoothly. This combined group of dedicated volunteers is committed to the mission of the HSCV and is already busy with new projects for 2025!
In addition to our Facebook page, you can now find the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley on X https://x.com/HSCV1869 and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cocalico.historical.society/. Be sure to follow us to stay in the loop!
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.
