York County Heritage Trust

History of the York County Heritage Trust

A merger in 1999 of the Historical Society of York County and the Agricultural and Industrial Museum created the York County Heritage Trust (YCHT). The Fire Museum of York County joined the York County Heritage Trust in 2000, bringing its collection of more than two centuries of firefighting history. In 2001 the York Murals, an assortment of 18 large-scale outdoor murals and numerous mini-murals illustrating York County’s history, also merged into the Trust. The following year the York County Bicentennial Commission brought its Colonial Court House to the organization, and it became a part of the York County Heritage Trust’s Colonial Complex.

Currently, the Trust welcomes approximately 30,000 annual visitors to its eight public sites that highlight various aspects of York County history. The Trust maintains a total of ten buildings, which collectively yield about 200,000 square feet. In these ten buildings, the York County Heritage Trust collects, preserves and interprets approximately 200,000 museum objects and 208,000 Library & Archival resources.

Celebrating its 11^th anniversary in Fiscal Year 2010-2011, the York County Heritage Trust’s mission benefits the community and visitors through cultural enrichment, educational opportunities, and the preservation of York County’s unique heritage for future generations. Using these historic sites and murals with tours, lectures, workshops, exhibits, research facilities and living history programs, the Trust continues collecting, preserving, and interpreting more than 300 years ofYorkCounty’s rich and diverse history.

Mission of the York County Heritage Trust

The York County Heritage Trust inspires the exploration of the history, people and culture of our county, state and nation. As a non-profit organization it utilizes collections, historic sites and museums to help tell the American story.