Interested in Local History?
YOSSHS works to encourage the study of the historical and cultural aspects of both York Springs and Adams County, Pennsylvania and to collect 
and preserve existing records and artifacts.
Our Historical Society is named for the famous York Sulphur Springs, which enjoyed a good reputation among the residents of Baltimore and Philadelphia during the 1800’s for its health-restoring properties. The York Sulphur Springs was the first summer resort in Adams County, and remained popular until the advent of the railroad made the Atlantic Beach resorts more attractive destinations. Daily stages ran from both Baltimore and Philadelphia to York Springs.
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Monday, February 15, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the ACNB Community Room
Dr. Charles Borowsky will be speaking on "York Springs: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow"
This presentation is an analysis of the past and present social, cultural, and economic realms
of the York Springs community, in the context of the general American society,
aiming at providing lessons and feasible directions for the future of our community.
Annual Dinner ~ March 15, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
at the
York Springs Fire Hall
Old Time Country, Coal 'n Folk Music
photo by Kristen M.Scatton, Pottsville Republican/HeraldMr. Smar was recently acknowledged by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for his over 30 years of carrying on the tradition of coal mines folklore and stories through documented and original songs. His program on March 15th is entitled “Old Time Country, Coal’n Folk Music”.
In the past 5 years, Jay Smar has toured Scotland twice, performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival twice, recorded music for the Welsh BBC movie, “The Welsh in America” and has been selected by the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour to be on their professional touring roster.
He serves his audience an “acoustic buffet” of traditional American and original folk, ol’time mountain music, bluegrass and gospel tunes, as well as coal mining songs of Northeastern Pennsylvania preceded by their origin. The program on the 15th will have a strong emphasis on coal mining.
A preview of his work can be found at www.jaysmar.com.
Tickets for the event include a turkey and ham dinner served at 6:30 by the York Springs Fire Company Auxiliary to be followed by Smar’s program. The cost is $15. Tickets can be purchased by sending payment and number attending to YOSSHS, P.O. Box 161, York Springs, PA 17372. Reservations must be received by March 5th. For further information, contact E. Gilbert at 528-4869.
Preserving Our Local History
Our Society owns and maintains the old Presbyterian Cemetery and the Election House.
The Presbyterian Cemetery is located just south of York Springs on Old Harrisburg Road. Civil War Brevet Brigadier General William Warren Stewart, who held the highest rank attained by any Adams Countian during the war, is buried there. Stewart, along with thirty other men from the York Springs area, mustered into service in front of the Presbyterian Church, which has since burned. These men joined with other Adams County residents in
Gettysburg to form Company K of the 1st Pennsylvania
Reserves.
The Election House, located on Rt. 94 at Rt. 15, is representative of many buildings of this type that were utilized during the mid-twentieth century as voting places.
Each year, the Society presents the program “ York Springs —The Underground Railroad and the Civil War” to the fifth grade classes at Bermudian Springs Middle School.
Members and visitors are encouraged to share their family histories, old photographs, and any artifact
of interest.
~Please don’t throw them away!~
Won't you join in preserving local
history
for future generations?
Join Us for a YOSSHS Meeting
YOSSHS Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. (except for July, August, December, & January) in the downstairs meeting room of the Adams County National Bank on Main Street in York Springs.
We have a diverse membership, which includes long time residents as well as newcomers to our community who are interested in local history and its preservation.
We invite you to visit one of our meetings soon to learn about our society and the history of both York Springs and Adams County. We hope you will find our gatherings interesting, and we welcome your membership!
Past Programs
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The Scots-Irish in Pennsylvania
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History of White Church (Episcopal) in York Springs
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Educating American Indian Girls at the Carlisle Indian School
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History of the apple industry in Adams County
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The Benjamin Gardner House
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Women Garment Workers and the ILGWU in 20th Century Pennsylvania
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History of the Kline Family Heirloom Weavers in Red Lion, Pennsylvania
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Presentation by Pennsylvania State Archivists on researching family genealogy
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Displays and explanations of Indian artifacts found locally
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Presentations and research on old houses and other buildings in the area
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Show and Tell
…always popular, where members and visitors share valued possessions of
historical significance or interest with the Society
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Recollections of senior members of the community
Contact Us
If you have questions or comments, or would like to join YOSSHS, contact us at:
Ye Olde Sulphur Spa
Historical Society
PO Box 161 • York Springs, PA 17372
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