African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania

11/26/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from AAHSSCPA!

As families and friends gather across our communities, we pause to honor the resilience, traditions, and stories that have shaped African American life in South Central Pennsylvania.

We give thanks for:

✨ Our ancestors, whose courage and determination built the foundations we stand on.
✨ Our community partners, members, and supporters, who help us preserve and uplift Black history every day.
✨ The storytellers, researchers, educators, and volunteers who continue to shine light on the legacies that were too often overlooked.
✨ The next generation, who remind us that the work we do today ensures their future is rooted in knowledge, pride, and truth.

As we reflect on gratitude, we also reaffirm our commitment to our mission. From our board and volunteers to each of you: Thank You for being part of this journey!

May your day be filled with warmth, connection, and the comfort of knowing that our history lives on through all of us. 🍁

11/18/2025

Thank you Ashlee and Shannon Etzweiler from Etzweiler Funeral Service of Wrightsville and York for the great presentation on pre-paying burial expenses at our November membership meeting.

11/17/2025

Today in Underground Railroad History…
On this day in 1816, Stephen Smith marries Harriet Lee, a servant in the home of Jonathan Mifflin. Smith goes on to build a lumber, railroad and real estate empire while Lee operates a popular oyster house and restaurant in Columbia.
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11/14/2025

Members Maxine Cook, Tina Charles and Celeste Leslie hosted the Geophysics Society of Kutztown University last Sunday at Mount Pisgah Cemetery. While they searched for unmarked graves the Mount Pisgah Project took advantage of the rain and began cleaning headstones.

11/13/2025

🎄✨ The 2025 Annual Festival of Trees is coming to the William C Goodridge Freedom Center & Underground Railroad Museum! Join us for the Exhibit Opening on First Friday, December 5th from 4PM–8PM, and experience the magic of holiday creativity surrounded by history and culture. Celebrate York’s holiday spirit while honoring the legacy of William C Goodridge—entrepreneur, abolitionist, and community leader.

📍 Location: 123 E. Philadelphia St., York, PA
🗓️ Additional Exhibit Dates: Dec. 6, 10, 13, 17, & 20 | 11AM–4PM
🎁 Tours do not need to be scheduled.

11/11/2025

Thank you for your service.

Today, Veteran's Day, we honor all that served. Zion Hill Cemetery has 3 actual burials of soldiers , several reinterred soldiers from Columbia's original Potters Field and several cenotaphs. These brave men served in the Civil War and World War I. Join us in honoring Sgt John Wesley Cooper, Sgt Isaac Sweeney, Cpl George Sweeney, Pvt Jared Alexander, Pvt John Anderson, Pvt Franklin Brown, Pvt James Davis, Pvt William Edgerly, Pvt John Edmond, Pvt Charles Elder, Pvt Madison Gibson, Pvt Benjamin Loney, Pvt Robert Loney, Pvt Harvey Makle, Pvt Stephen Miller, Pvt James Moore, Pvt Samuel Pleasant, Pvt George Prosser, Pvt Warner Ryan, Pvt John Turner, Pvt Charles Watson and Pvt John Wesley. Also at the cemetery, with Hometown Hero Banner recognition we honor Sgt James W Loney (a USCT and a Buffalo Soldier) and Mess Sgt Albert Randolph, WWI (a Harlem Hellfighter).

11/05/2025

The 11th Annual Luncheon, held on October 25, was a success! We want to thank our guest speaker, Tony Spencer, for his inspiring talk on the importance of family history. We would also like to thank Mark Stewart, from The Underground Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, our board and committee members, and guests.

10/29/2025

11th Annual Luncheon with guest speaker Anthony Spencer, MPA.

10/28/2025

10/28/2025

Today in Underground Railroad History…
On this day in 1827, Jim Pembroke (aka James Pennington) escapes from a plantation in Maryland. He is employed and educated by William and Phebe Wright in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and goes on to attend Yale Divinity School. Pennington raised money for abolitionist causes with a speaking tour of Europe and published his autobiography, The Fugitive Blacksmith, in 1849. In 1855, he refuses to leave a segregated New York City horsecar and successfully sues the operator for discrimination.
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