General Site Tours

A general tour introduces students to a particular subject in history. These tours can be adapted for any grade level or age group of children. Plan to tour one or multiple sites on the same day. These programs are offered free of charge for our educational members and schools. Admission is $4.00 per child for non-member schools and children's groups for the entire day.

Historical Society Museum (250 E. Market St.) The Historical Society Museum emphasizes early York County history. The museum includes a "Street of Shops" (with a one room original cabin, print shop, apothecary and toy store), York County tall case clocks, decorative arts and furniture, original Lewis Miller drawings and a community exhibit entitled a "Place to Call Home." Students also explore a comprehensive exhibit that covers York County history from beginning to mid- nineteenth-century and includes the Susquehannock Indians, American Revolution and Civil War. "Celebrate York" is an exhibit centered around sixteen large oil paintings that were commissioned in 1927 for use on the 150th anniversary celebration of the Continental Congress's visit and remains open until July 2004.

Agricultural and Industrial Museum (217 W. Princess St.) Learn about York County's many contributions to agricultural and industrial progress on a visit to the Agricultural and Industrial Museum. The collection of agricultural artifacts produced or used in the county over three centuries includes locally made wagons, tractors, steam engines and farm tools - some of which are still operational. Working industrial exhibits include a 72 ton giant A-Frame Ammonia Compressor, a printing press and a three-story gristmill. Artifacts related to weightlifting, welding, pottery, casket manufacturing, artificial teeth, piano and organ manufacturing, and many other local industries can be found. A new exhibit "Air, Land & Water" highlighting the many modes of York transportation opens October 2004.

Gates and Plough Complex/ Colonial Court House (157 W. Market St.) Some of York's most historic structures are included in your visit to the Gates and Plough Complex. The Golden Plough Tavern, built in 1741, is the oldest building in York, and it housed a tavern that served York residents and travelers well into the 1800s. The General Gates House was the temporary residence of General Horatio Gates, the hero of the Battle of Saratoga. The Barnett Bobb Log House is an 1811 squared-timber dwelling typical of those built along the Pennsylvania frontier at the turn of the 19th century. All three buildings contain accurate period furnishings, textiles, tools and utensils. Complete your tour by visiting a replica of the Colonial Court House. This is where delegates of the Continental Congress met from September 1777 to June 1778 and adopted the Articles of Confederation.

Horace Bonham House(152 E. Market St.) Built in 1840, this three-story dwelling was purchased by artist and prominent Yorker Horace Bonham in 1875. With its original Bonham-family furnishings and period rooms, the restored house is an excellent example of the Victorian to Colonial Revival eras in York. Numerous Horace Bonham works are displayed in the house. The outdoor gardens are maintained seasonally.

York County Fire Museum (757 W. Market St.) Located in the 1903 Royal Fire House, the museum holds more than 225 years of fire-fighting equipment, representative of the 72 fire companies of York County. From leather bucket brigades to hand-drawn hose carts to motorized equipment - it's all at the York County Fire Museum.