While Pennsylvanians are focused on honoring their nation's 250th birthday, Columbia residents can celebrate another big number. This year marks three centuries since a group of Quakers transformed a quiet Susquehanna River landing into one of the most important towns in Colonial America, which later became an industrial powerhouse that also served as a critical linchpin on the Underground Railroad.

The Lancaster County borough, originally called Wright's Ferry after one of its founding families, was renamed Columbia in 1788 when it was a candidate for the permanent capitol of the United States. The history of the borough will be celebrated during 2026 under the guidance of the Columbia 300 Committee, which is part of the borough's Department of Parks & Recreation.

A slate of public events and celebrations will begin in February with the launch of the Columbia 300 Speaker Series, which will run through October. Admission to all the speaker events is free.

Elizabeth Dillon, assistant curator, head tour guide, and education coordinator at Wright's Ferry Mansion, will present "The Pleasantest Country as Can Be: Columbia's First Settlers" on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the National Watch and Clock Museum, 514 Poplar St., Columbia.

The presentation will build a bridge between the present Columbia and its past through Susanna Wright's poetry and letters, especially in the challenging early years of the first settlers' arrival.

Additional events celebrating the 300 years of Columbia's history will take place throughout the year.