Ongoing
Essential Pieces: An Inclusive Timeline of York County History

Essential Pieces: An Inclusive Timeline of York County History

Presented by York County History Center at York County Historical Society Museum

In celebration of Juneteenth (June 19th), the History Center will present two exhibits highlighting the challenges and achievements of African Americans in York County.   June 19th or “Juneteenth” is the anniversary of when the news finally reached the Black residents of Texas two and half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring all enslaved persons were free.  The History Center will be partnering with community organizations in promoting and celebrating Juneteenth, which was made an official state holiday in Pennsylvania by Governor Wolf in 2019.

The Emancipation Proclamation
On exhibit from May 7 through July 3, 2021 at the Historical Society Museum will be a rare printing of the Emancipation Proclamation on loan from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.  The Emancipation Proclamation marked a milestone for African Americans in their long journey toward freedom.  Issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, the proclamation declared, “all persons held as slaves within any States, or designated part of the State, the people whereof shall be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”  This early printing is signed by Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of State William Seward, and John Nicolay (Private Secretary to the President) and was one of 48 printed to be sold at the Philadelphia Great Central Sanitary Fair of June 7-29, 1864.  Sanitary Fairs were created to raise money for sick and wounded soldiers, and to improve conditions in military camps.  Along with the Emancipation Proclamation will be a virtual exhibit of the Underground Railroad in York County.  This interactive exhibit will be on a touch screen monitor and will allow visitors to explore the people and places that made York County an important stop on the road to freedom.

Essential Pieces: An Inclusive Timeline of York County History
Juneteenth (June 19, 2021) will be the opening of a timeline exhibit designed by Ophelia Chambliss, Community Historian and fine artist.  This timeline exhibit, which will run along the perimeter of the Meeting Hall within the Historical Society Museum, will feature past and current research into local African American history and the stories and images that Ophelia has collected through oral history interviews and scanning events held at the History Center.  Visitors will be encouraged to add their own personal or family history to the timeline.   A digital version of the exhibit will also be available on the York History Center website.  “Essential Pieces” will be on exhibit through December 31st.

Ophelia has worked with the History Center since 2018 on the Share Your History Project.  This project, funded by the York County Community Foundation, has focused on outreach and building relationships to promote preservation and to document history in traditionally underserved communities of York County.  These exhibits will increase understanding of the importance of the contributions of African Americans to the history of York County. The History Center will continue to work with Ophelia and other local historians and community organizations to promote preserving family and community history and to make the History Center a welcoming and inclusive place, where everyone feels their history is told and preserved and that their story matters.

Illustration by Ophelia Chambliss.  Ophelia describes the artwork as: “A modern day artistic adaptation of the Lewis Miller image that depicts the Black folks in Texas celebrating the news of Juneteenth. The full black silhouette image of the characters is representative of strong Black characters in art.”

Admission Info

Phone: 7178481857

Email: nsmith@yorkhistorycenter.org

Dates & Times

2021/06/19 - 2021/12/31

Location Info

York County Historical Society Museum

250 East Market Street, York, PA 17401

Parking Info

Currently 250 East Market St is only open for programs.

 

You may park behind the museum on Mason Ave near the Church or park on the street out front of the museum.