What to do in Pennsylvania-York County Pa

Hubtrail Tours York Pennsylvania

As many of my readers know I live in York Pa. I have written a few articles for the Hubtrail Project about areas surrounding York Pennsylvania like Hershey, http://hubpages.com/hub/WhattodoinPennsylvania , Gettysburg http://hubpages.com/hub/What-To-do-in-Gettysburg-Pennsylvania , and Lancaster http://hubpages.com/hub/Dutch-Country-Lancaster-County-Pennsylvania. These articles where all pretty easy because they are centered around some very large and well known attractions. Sadly this is not the case with York Pennsylvania.

York Pennsylvania's true claim to fame comes from it's deep roots in American history.

Technically even though York Pa. was not the first city to host the "First Continental Congress" it is the nation's first capital. The York County Colonial Court House is where the words "The United States of America" were first formally proclaimed, and where the first Constitution was adopted. The replicated courthouse pictured to the left along with the Plough Tavern, The Gates House and The Bobb House Make up "The Colonial Complex." They showcase both the public and private lives of early York residents, including the house where General Gates stayed during the Continental Congress and a squared-timber family residence from the 1830s.

The replicated Courthouse is the only one of these buildings that is not original.

The Golden Plough Tavern (c. 1741), the city's oldest structure, gives a taste of life during the years when the Tavern housed travelers and served local residents.

The General Horatio Gates House (c. 1751): this English-style house was the General's home while he attended the Continental Congress, and is said to have been the site of LaFayette's famous toast to Washington that sent a signal to conspirators that the French would not support a plot to replace Washington with Gates.

The Bobb Log House (c. 1812) is an example of the simple structures popular along the Pennsylvania frontier at the turn of the 19th century. Furnishings illustrate the period's decor.

Photos and statistics can be found at the York Heritage Trust http://www.yorkheritage.org/la_rs.asp.

The Colonial Complex Museums are both fun and educational but York Pennsylvania's historical contributions to The United States has a lighter side as well.

Going to the Fair

In 1765, eleven years before the nation was founded, York held America's first fair. A charter to hold the fair was granted to the people of York by Samuel Penn, son of William Penn.

The upcoming fair scheduled to be held in Sept. of 2010 will be the cities 241 annual fair,

The Fair was not held from 1862 until 1865 because the grounds and buildings used for the fair were converted to military hospitals during the civil war. The fair remained open after the outbreak of World War I, but was not held in 1918 due to an influenza outbreak that killed 166 people in York.

In the early years of the fair the 2 day event was held on Penn Commons. The event quickly outgrew this location and was moved several times before the final move to where it is currently. The York Expo Center and Fairgrounds located on 334 Carlisle Ave. York Pa.

The Fair itself has grown and changed over the years and is now a 10 day event which is held in early September of every year. The addition of the grandstand has allowed the fair to host live concerts every night that feature many greats in the entertainment industry, for a complete list of the events and activities scheduled for the 2010 York Fair follow them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/York-Fair-Americas-First-Fair/276098132121

Agricultural & Industrial Museum

maps.google.com - (717) 846-6452 - 1 review

Police Heritage Museum

www.policeheritagemuseum.com - (717) 845-2677 - 1 review

York Historical Society Museum

www.yorkheritage.org - (717) 848-1587 - 1 review

Fire Museum of York County

www.yorkheritage.org - (717) 845-5665 - 1 review

Weight Lifting Hall of Fame

www.yorkbarbell.com - (717) 767-6481 - More

Bonham House

maps.google.com - (717) 845-2422 - More