Cultural Trails in York County
Explore York County’s Cultural Trails for an inspiring experience celebrating strength, diversity, perseverance, and the entrepreneurial “makers spirit" that defines our area.
We wholeheartedly welcome all people to join us on this journey of connection toward greater understanding and mutual respect.
The first two trails in our series are designed to bring historical accounts of local, legendary heroes to life and to interactively share the stories of powerful black- and women-owned businesses.
It is our goal to develop additional tours to complement the Women Owned or Operated and African American Focused trails, so please subscribe to receive our complimentary e-newsletter for updates on our complete TOURS and TRAILS series.
Participating Locations
Hear stories of African American history at Lebanon Cemetery, York County's oldest and largest black-owned cemetery. Friends of Lebanon Cemetery is a non-profit group offering tours of the final resting place of former enslaved people, veterans, clergy, physicians, politicians, and prominent community members. Their recovery, research, identification, and documentation efforts have revealed many fascinating historical links.
Pinkies Up! It’s time to take high tea at The Front Porch Tea Room & Gathering Place. Located in lovely historic Hallam, this Victorian-style tea room was built in 1869 and is loaded with charm and history. Enjoy a full course meal at a civilized and relaxed pace or participate in a seasonally curated special event.
Meet Victoria, an entrepreneur empowering women and celebrating cultural diversity through fashion, language lessons, and sewing classes. Her artistic vision is expressed through original, unique, yet affordable ready-to-wear clothing.
Inspired by nature and hand-crafted with a commitment to ecofriendly practices. Every live edge charcuterie board at Nature’s Platter is created from dead, fallen, or damaged trees. Book a party or class, perfect for planning how to use your new charcuterie board.
A cleaner house and planet are the focus of Refillism, a refill and eco-lifestyle shop in downtown York. Refill a bottle you bring or fill a new bottle with eco-friendly household and beauty products. Shop for unique, earth-loving, natural, non-toxic, and reusable low-waste everyday essentials.
Skillet2Plate Soul Bistro
Enjoy Southern style cuisine at Skillet2Plate Soul Bistro. This family-owned and operated restaurant, located in the WeCo district of downtown York, has been serving up soups, sandwiches, entrees, and soul bowls created with love and care since 2020.
Love and excellent ingredients go into all body care products at Sunrise Soap Company. Shop from a wide variety of hand-crafted self-care specialties including soap, bath bombs, and body butter or book an experience at The Creation Station at their downtown York store.
Sample high-quality small-batch wine crafted onsite by Vintner Mark Rhodes at Mark & Val Wines. One of Pennsylvania’s first Black-owned wineries, this unique urban tasting room offers an amazing selection appealing to both casual and experienced wine lovers.
Northern Central Railway of York
Enjoy excursions that educate, entertain, and enlighten aboard authentic, lovingly restored train cars powered by a replica 1860s steam locomotive and a GP9 diesel engine at the Northern Central Railway of York.
William C. Goodridge Freedom Center
Tour an authenticated Underground Railroad site at the historic home of local legend and prominent businessman William C. Goodridge. Born into the institution of slavery in Maryland, Goodridge built a significant estate and was a noted Station Master on the Underground Railroad. Visit the William C. Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum to see firsthand how he used his home as a hiding place for Freedom Seekers.
#CulturalTrails
We are excited to share these stories and experiences with visitors and residents.
For more information, contact:
Vaughn Crouse, Group Tour Sales Coordinator: Vaughn@YorkPA.org or 717-852-9675 ext. 107
Rasheeda Martin, Director of Sales: Rasheeda@YorkPA.org or 717-852-9675 ext. 114