Offering programs is a core part of our mission," said Sue Hostetter, president of the Mount Joy Area Historical Society. "We collect and preserve our community's history and make it accessible to visitors, homeowners and researchers through our programs, speaking engagements, displays, oral histories and online catalog."

The historical society will kick off its 2025 lecture series with a presentation by Robert Frick on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The program will be held on Monday, March 17, at 7 p.m.

All programs are held on the third Monday of the month from March through November at 7 p.m., in the society's Cemetery Road schoolhouse, 120 Fairview St., Mount Joy.

On April 21, members of the Patriot Daughters will share their story. On May 19, Jean-Paul Benowitz will discuss Anabaptist presidents. The June 16 program will feature Stephen Shaw, who will talk about the court martial of Paul Revere. Mike Gerhard will discuss water dowsing on July 21. On Aug. 18, Michael Cassidy will present "Working Gardens in 19th Century PA Dutch Country," and on Sept. 15, Patrick Clark will share "James Buchanan: How He Spent His Retirement at Wheatland." The Oct. 20 program will feature Michael Jesberger and a presentation on "The True Story of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Nancy Groff will close out the 2025 season with a program called "Watt & Shand: East, West: Home's the Best" on Nov. 17.

"In addition to hearing an interesting speaker with a Q&A session afterwards, you can tour the museum and enjoy light refreshments," Hostetter said.

She noted that a committee of three people works with other historical societies to share program and speaker ideas. The committee members also look at summer programs held in Mount Gretna, and they find ideas through Lancaster's Quest group, news articles and connections with people who suggest programs.

Founded more than 50 years ago by a group of citizens who had a vision to preserve the community's history, the Mount Joy Area Historical Society is open year-round on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment.

"Thanks to them, we now have a gem of a museum, housed in two historic buildings - an African Methodist Episcopal church and a former one-room schoolhouse," Hostetter said. "We are out of space! Donations of objects that tell the story of the Mount Joy area keep coming, so we are beginning a capital campaign to build an addition onto the church."

She also hopes people will step up to help the organization move forward with its mission of saving the past.

"As an all-volunteer organization, we need more members and volunteers who believe in preserving the past for future generations," she shared. "Some members join the society in memory or honor of parents and loved ones to carry on their legacies."

The historical society features something of interest to people of all ages.

"We have a photo scavenger hunt for children; many displays of objects; maps; a large collection of newspaper ads, articles and obituaries; photos; and postcards," Hostetter said. "If you want to quickly get up to speed on Mount Joy and Florin history, the booklets and books we offer are the perfect way to do that."

Reservations are not necessary for the monthly programs. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. There are entrances in the front and back of the buildings. Parking is available across the street at RAISE28 or in back of the museum on the grass and along the alley.

For more information, visit http://www.mountjoyhistory.com.