York County, PA Museums & Exhibits

Embark on an immersive journey through York County’s rich history at the new History Center Museum. Begin your exploration at the History Makers Tower, where a state-of-the-art touchscreen display invites you to delve into the lives of History Makers from all walks of life. Uncover the narrative threads woven within the sections titled Building, Growing, Energizing, and Making. Each section features digital towers and touchscreens that will let you explore topics that pique your curiosity. Discover York County’s pivotal role in early expansion across Pennsylvania and its long-overlooked contributions to the Underground Railroad. Learn about the innovations in farming and industry that cemented the county’s status as a place of progress and resilience. Experience a building transformed into a vibrant space where history comes to life.

For more on the new History Center Museum, visit our New Museum Project page here.

Learn about York County’s vast contributions to the progress of agriculture and industry. Housed in a former factory complex, the York, PA museum features two floors with over 20 exhibits highlighting 300 years of transportation, agriculture and the development of manufacturing and industry. Many of the exhibits feature hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages.

Step into a 1916 trolley car or sit in the seat of a 1940 train switcher engine in the Transportation Gallery. Explore the Local Industry Galleries to try your hand at using rotary phones operated by a 1930s switchboard. Discover what it’s like to milk a dairy cow in the Agricultural Gallery and check out the working 3-story grist mill during your visit. You will also be able to enjoy exhibits on pottery making, casket manufacturing, wallpaper creation, pianos and organs, as well as the York Plan, which was York’s industrial contribution to World War II.

One of our most popular York, PA museums, the Colonial Complex encompasses four historic buildings located downtown. Your 45-60 minute guided tour will explore York County’s role during the American Revolutionary War and everyday life and culture during the 18th century.  Built in 1741, the Golden Plough Tavern served as a source of news and information for travelers and locals alike, and showcases daily colonial life.  The General Horatio Gates House (c. 1751) reflects an upper class English home of the late 18th century, highlighting the stay of American General Horatio Gates during the winter of 1777-1778. You will also visit the reconstructed Colonial Courthouse that highlights the story of the Second Continental Congress when they worked out of York during the winter of 1777-1778, and adopted the Articles of Confederation. The Barnett Bobb Log House, built in 1812 and relocated to the Colonial Complex, is currently used during programs for artisan demonstrations and hands-on activities.

Located in the historic 1903 Royal Fire House. The museum allows visitors to see how York Firefighters worked, lived, and played. The building holds more than 225 years of firefighting equipment representative of the 72 fire companies of York County. Exhibits and objects on display include six fire trucks ranging from the 1920s to the 1950s, hand-drawn pumpers, uniforms, and historic alarm systems.

Please Note June 8 the museum will be open from noon to 4 pm.