The Conestoga Area Historical Society
Preserving the history of the Penn Manor Area
The CAHS was founded in 1990 in response to a suggestion from the Lancaster County Historical Society. Several years before this, the County Society decided to change its mission to being a research and library facility. This meant it would not continue to be the repository of artifacts. It was suggested that regional local societies whose spheres of interest corresponded to the county's school districts be formed. We were the last to organize. Dr. Mary Alice Smith recognized this need; she invited interested area residents to assess the interest for implementing one. Soon after the plans were prioritized, public meetings were held; committees to activate these were formed. We instantly received offers of objects of local history to begin a collection; however, there was no physical facility to serve as the Society's center. After much exploratory work, the proposed gift of a circa mid-1800s tobacco shed was accepted. Now where to put it? Again many sites were checked out; the Conestoga Township Supervisors offered an incline area that had non-adaptability for athletics in Alex Ehrlich Park in Conestoga. This location was accepted by the Society in 1993. Three years later the impossible dream became a reality. Through the generous, unselfish efforts of countless area private and public corporations and individuals we were able to open the Museum building on November 17th, 1996.
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