PA Museums

Exploring the York County History Center

Collage of four photos from the York County History Center showing a covered wagon migration exhibit, locally made pottery and ceramics, a wall of logos from York County companies, and the modern exterior entrance of the museum.

Visiting the York County History Center in York, PA is an immersive way to explore how local stories connect to the larger American experience.

Revolutionary War–era exhibit at the York County History Center featuring a glass case with period firearms, military artifacts, documents, and interpretive displays exploring York County’s role in the American Revolution.

Set inside a thoughtfully renovated former Met-Ed Steam Heat Generating Plant, the museum pairs historic artifacts with the building’s striking industrial character.

Wide interior view of the York County History Center showcasing large logos from companies founded or based in York County, displayed alongside industrial artifacts within the museum’s former power plant setting.

The result is a welcoming space that encourages curiosity about the people, places, and ideas that shaped York County.

Overhead view of the first-floor gallery at the York County History Center showing a covered wagon, interactive exhibits, interpretive panels, and the towering History Makers display that explores York County’s people, industry, and cultural development.

Directions | Hours | Admission Fees

The York County History Center is located at 121 North Pershing Avenue, York, PA 17401.

The museum hours are: Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m. | Mondays: closed.

Exterior entrance of the York County History Center in York, Pennsylvania, featuring a bold red museum sign and glass doors welcoming visitors into the historic former power plant building.

Admission fees as of 2026 are: Adults – $15 (Sundays $10) | Students (6-18) – $8 | Children 5 and younger – FREE every day.

Early 20th-century antique automobile on display inside the York County History Center, shown against exposed brick walls as part of an exhibit exploring the region’s transportation and industrial history.

What You’ll See at the York County History Center

Inside, the exhibits guide visitors through the county’s evolution, from early settlement to modern industry.

Wide view of the “Building York County” exhibit inside the York County History Center, featuring interpretive panels, historic artifacts, and a covered wagon that explore the county’s growth, immigration, and community development.

Displays focused on migration and movement help illustrate how York County developed as people arrived, worked, and built communities.

Towering “History Makers” exhibit at the York County History Center featuring illuminated portraits of diverse individuals who shaped York County’s history, culture, and contributions to the broader American story.

Throughout the galleries, everyday objects are used to show how families lived, traveled, and adapted over time.

Large covered wagon exhibit at the York County History Center illustrating migration and settlement in York County, accompanied by interpretive panels and artifacts that tell the story of people moving to and through the region.

Craftsmanship plays a major role in the story, with exhibits highlighting locally made goods that once supported households and businesses.

Display of handcrafted artifacts at the York County History Center, including a tall wooden grandfather clock, antique furniture, a spinning wheel, and a decorative textile quilt showcasing craftsmanship made in York County.

The museum also explores York County’s strong manufacturing tradition and how local companies grew into names recognized far beyond the region.

Display case at the York County History Center featuring packaged foods and consumer products with ties to York County, including snack foods, candy tins, detergent, ketchup, and locally produced brands that reflect the region’s manufacturing and everyday life history.

Agriculture and innovation are recurring themes, showing how farming and machinery shaped both the landscape and the economy.

Sheppard tractor exhibit at the York County History Center featuring a bright orange vintage Sheppard diesel tractor alongside interactive displays explaining York County’s agricultural and manufacturing heritage.

Hands-on elements and detailed visuals make complex topics easy to understand without feeling overwhelming.

Textile mills exhibit at the York County History Center featuring historic machinery, a spinning wheel, patterned textiles, and interpretive panels explaining how mills connected power, agriculture, and industry in York County.

Military and civic history are woven into the experience, emphasizing the contributions of local residents during times of conflict and service.

Military history exhibit at the York County History Center featuring a painted portrait of a local serviceman, uniforms from multiple eras, medals, documents, and personal artifacts honoring York County veterans and their service.

Rather than focusing solely on dates and events, the museum emphasizes the people behind the history.

Exhibit panel at the York County History Center highlighting Bob Hoffman of York Barbell, featuring historic photographs and text explaining his role as the “Father of World Weightlifting” and York’s influence on the sport.

This approach helps visitors see how individual stories fit into broader national trends.

Vintage early automobile on display at the York County History Center, surrounded by historic furnishings, tools, and transportation artifacts that illustrate the evolution of travel and daily life in York County.

Final Thoughts

By the end of your visit, it becomes clear how deeply York County’s history is woven into the American story.

The York County History Center presents that story in a way that feels approachable, engaging, and relevant.

Cigar manufacturing exhibit at the York County History Center featuring a large historic photo of factory workers, a tobacco worker statue, and interpretive panels explaining York County’s once-thriving cigar industry and its role in local life and labor.

For that reason, I can’t recommend this museum highly enough!

Large illuminated Reddy Kilowatt advertising sign displayed inside the York County History Center, surrounded by painted replicas of the Liberty Bell and interpretive signage that highlight York County’s industrial history and role in electrification.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, please visit the museum’s OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

Vintage “All About York” limited edition board game box on display at the York County History Center, featuring colorful illustrations of York landmarks and a family playing the game, highlighting local history and culture through a nostalgic artifact.

Nearby Attractions

18 Must-See Attractions in York County is your guide to the area’s top local hotspots and places you won’t want to miss.

Collage of four attractions in York County, Pennsylvania, showing a covered wagon exhibit inside a museum, a coin-operated viewing scope overlooking a lake with fall foliage, a brightly colored bear mural on a brick building, and the iconic shoe-shaped house with lit windows and a front walkway.

Discover more than a thousand incredible places to explore across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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