Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley

06/14/2026

Celebrate America250 on June 27 at the Historic Ephrata Cloister!

Join us on Saturday, June 27 from 10am to 4pm for an America250 celebration! 🎉

From December 1777 to June 1778 the Ephrata Cloister was the site of a Revolutionary War Hospital. Ephrata's hospital accommodated 260 soldiers of which 60 of these soldiers died and are buried on the grounds of our site. During this special 250th event, visitors can learn more about the military hospital and its impact on the pacifist members of the Ephrata Cloister.

Throughout the day there will be performances, family-friendly activities, lectures, demonstrations, music in the Amphitheater, and more! Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Event highlights:
- See Ephrata's military hospital brought to life with a Lantern Tours reprise!
- Hear historic music from our Ephrata Cloister Chorus with a special performance in the Amphitheater to close out the event.
- Visit the witness tree on property, as well as the monument honoring the soldiers in the Mount Zion Cemetery.

Tickets can be purchased at the door and are $5/person for non-members. Ephrata Cloister Associates members receive free admission. Children under age 3 are free.

Wristbands are required for select performances, such as the Lantern Tours reprise. After paying admission, visitors can pick up a wristband for a specific performance time. These wrist bands are first-come first-served.

This event is rain-or-shine, and parking is first-come first-served. We hope to see you there!

06/13/2026

Attention Members! Don't forget to send your check for this year's picnic. Remember, there was a change in date to JUNE 17. (there was a misprint in the back of the most recent Footprints newsletter. Again, the correct date is JUNE 17)

Send a message to learn more

06/10/2026

Don't forget.... TODAY, JUNE 10, show this flyer (either print a hard copy or show on your phone) at the Two Cousins in Reamstown and 15% of your order will go to the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley! Dine-in or Takeout.... YOU MUST PAY CASH!!

ATTENTION! Wednesday, June 10 is the fundraiser at Two Cousins Reamstown to benefit the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV). What better way to support YOUR HISTORY than by eating delicious food? 15% of eligible sales will be donated to the HSCV. You MUST SHOW THE FLYER below (either print a hard copy or show on your phone) and you MUST PAY CASH! Offer is for dine-in or takeout. Thank you to Two Cousins for once again partnering with the HSCV and to all our supporters!!

06/09/2026

The HSCV welcomed the Social Studies teachers from Ephrata High School on 6/9/26. They were invited to tour the museum and library, and even had a chance to print on one of our antique presses! The HSCV wants to thank them for visiting, and for the work they do teaching history to area students.

06/05/2026

ATTENTION! Wednesday, June 10 is the fundraiser at Two Cousins Reamstown to benefit the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV). What better way to support YOUR HISTORY than by eating delicious food? 15% of eligible sales will be donated to the HSCV. You MUST SHOW THE FLYER below (either print a hard copy or show on your phone) and you MUST PAY CASH! Offer is for dine-in or takeout. Thank you to Two Cousins for once again partnering with the HSCV and to all our supporters!!

06/05/2026

ATTENTION HSCV MEMBERS! We hope you will be able to join us for our annual picnic! This year the picnic will be held at the Reamstown Memorial Park in Reamstown at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, June 17th. (Please note DATE CHANGE due to construction on the park playground.)

The meal will be catered by Big John Nolt’s BBQ from Stevens. The menu will be an all you-can-eat buffet of barbecue chicken (boneless, skinless thighs) and pulled pork (with sauce on the side), mac and cheese, baked beans, red beet eggs, pickles and olives, a variety of homemake cookies, cookie bars and pies. Ice tea, fruit punch, water, coffee, rolls and butter will round up the offerings.

Interested members should send a check for $24.00 per adult or $15.00 per child (age 4-11) no later than June 14, payable to HSCV, P.O. Box 193, Ephrata, PA. 17522. Please note that no tickets will issued. You will be asked to sign in when you attend. For more information call HSCV at (717) 733-1616.

Send a message to learn more

05/23/2026

What happens when history isn’t enough to save a historic structure? More specifically, how much history is needed to save something deemed “historic”?

05/23/2026

The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) announces that their next educational program, “American Revolutionary War Soldier Take Notice!”, will be held Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E Main Street, Ephrata.
Join reenactor Mike Jesberger in the “Glorious Cause” with an interactive educational program on the Revolutionary War. Jesberger will present a program on the Revolutionary soldier – his life on the march, in camp, and in battle. Complete with the equipment, uniforms, and the personal items of a soldier, this presentation will give you a better understanding of the role of the common soldier in the Revolution.
As always, this program is open free to the public. Parking lot and entrance in the rear alley. For more information, visit the society’s website at www.cocalicovalleyhs.org or call (717)733-1616.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming HSCV programs & events:
June 17 (New date!) – Members-only picnic at Reamstown Memorial Park
July 22 – Members-only field trip to Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles
August 26 – “Nature, Industry, and Heritage: Legacy of Lancaster County’s Limestone
and Lime Industry”
September 23 – Ephrata Parade Night food stand
September 30 (New addition!) – “Historical Trees of Lancaster County”
October 23, 24, 30, 31 – Ghost Tours
October 28 – “Colonial and Early Ironworks”
November – ExtraGive Fundraiser
November 4 – Bus Trip to Philadelphia
December 6 – Christmas at the Connell Mansion

The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) invites you to explore the following pages and, better still to visit us in person, to discover the fascinating heritage associated with this area of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Read More.

04/22/2026

The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) announces that their next educational program, “Rocky Springs Park”, will be held Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E Main Street, Ephrata.
Third generation Lititz Historian and President of the Lititz Historical Foundation, Cory Van Broohoven will speak of his fascination with Rocky Springs Park. As an author of over 150 articles and four books pertaining to Lancaster County history, Cory’s knowledge of the past is unsurpassed.
As always, this program is open free to the public. Parking lot and entrance in the rear alley. For more information, visit the society’s website at www.cocalicovalleyhs.org or call (717)733-1616.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming HSCV programs & events:
April 18 – Grand Opening for new museum exhibit
May 27 – “The American Revolutionary War Soldier TAKE NOTICE!”
June 17 – Members-only picnic at Reamstown Memorial Park
July 22 – Members-only field trip to Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles
August 26 – “Nature, Industry, and Heritage: Legacy of Lancaster County’s Limestone
and Lime Industry”
September 23 – Ephrata Parade Night food stand
October 28 – “Colonial and Early Ironworks”
November – ExtraGive Campaign
December – Christmas at the Connell Mansion

The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) invites you to explore the following pages and, better still to visit us in person, to discover the fascinating heritage associated with this area of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Read More.

04/18/2026

HAPPENING NOW!!! Revolutionary War reenactor Sam Leamer is sharing at the Grand Opening of the new exhibit, "The Many Faces of Freedom". Saturday 4/18 10am-2pm. Stop by for a visit!