Historical Society Exceeds Fundraising Goal

Not quite a year ago, the New Holland Area Historical Society (NHAHS) undertook an effort to pay off the organization's mortgage on the Kauffman Building, 201 to 207 E. Main St., New Holland, and complete repairs to the building's exterior. With campaign organizer Larry Shirk at the helm, the organization set a goal of raising $250,000.

As of January, NHAHS has exceeded that goal, raising nearly $280,000. These funds both satisfied the mortgage and covered the brickwork, which will be completed in the spring. Shirk reported that the money was raised with a capital campaign that included mailings to members and residents in two local ZIP codes, along with grants from the Ressler Mill Foundation and the Anne Brossman Sweigart Foundation.

More than just a museum, the Kauffman Building holds a unique place in Lancaster County history as the second-oldest building in the county that has been in continuous use since the 1700s. It is believed the building dates back to the 1780s, with additions constructed before 1795 and again in 1831. "The New Holland area has an amazing history, and we are blessed to now have a permanent place to preserve it," wrote Shirk in a press release. "We could not have done this without the assistance of our friends and neighbors over the last year."

According to NHAHS chair Mike Ressler, the organization had planned to hold an open house reception to celebrate satisfying the mortgage in February, but now the museum will be closed until March due to COVID-19 concerns. According to Ressler, when the museum reopens, organizers hope to hold a celebration of owning the building and opening the newest exhibit, titled "New Holland Borough 1895 - A New Era Begins." "It's really a combination of two exhibits," explained board member Brian Frankhouser. "We have an exhibit celebrating the 125th anniversary of the incorporation of the Borough of New Holland that we finished just as COVID-19 hit."

Frankhouser added that the museum was closed for quite some time due to COVID-19 restrictions, meaning not very many people were able to experience the exhibit. "So we're not taking that down, but we are adding something for Stauffer's Drug Store because they are celebrating their 125th anniversary this year," Frankhouser added.

He went on to explain that the Stauffer family came to New Holland in 1897. "There have been five generations of Stauffer men who kept the business going," said Frankhouser. He added that patriarch William M. Stauffer was also a photographer and that many of his photos will be on display along with the history of Stauffer's Drug Store. "Stauffer's was actually (first located in the Kauffman) Building and moved to their present location in 1913," said Frankhouser.

NHAHS was founded in 2005 with the goal of collecting, organizing, and preserving information and historical materials relevant to the New Holland area. More information about the historical society is available at https://nhhistorical.com