Historic Rock Ford, 881 Rockford Road, Lancaster, will open on Wednesday, April 1, for its 2026 season, with a focus on celebrating America's semiquincentennial.

This year's new exhibit in the Snyder Gallery, "Lancaster's Revolutionaries," will focus on the many individuals from Lancaster who made significant contributions to the patriot cause. Their motivation reflected a deep commitment to the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Two guest curators will contribute signature sections to the exhibit: Leroy Hopkins Jr. on the Black community in Lancaster at the time of the Revolution and Jess McPherson on the Indigenous community of Lancaster in the 18th century. Some of the loans featured in the exhibit include the doorway to George Ross' Lancaster home, courtesy of LancasterHistory; Benjamin West's portrait of Ann Wood Henry, courtesy of the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel; and a 1780 letter Edward Hand wrote to his wife reacting to Benedict Arnold's treason, courtesy of The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The exhibit will run until Saturday, Oct. 31.

In addition to the new exhibit, Historic Rock Ford will host more than 60 events to celebrate America250, including lectures, theater, living history, and concerts. The season's three programming series are America250, Historic Fashion, and Untold Stories of the Revolution. The America250 event series will highlight the culture and society of Colonial America and the early republic, the political events that made the revolution possible, and the military engagements from the Revolutionary War. The Historic Fashion series will explore the fashion of the 18th and early 19th centuries and how styles connect to the culture, economy, and society of Colonial America and the early republic. The Untold Stories of the Revolution series will explore the stories of Revolutionary America that are rarely heard in discussions, including stories of ordinary soldiers, historically marginalized communities, religious communities, and women. All of these series will feature nationally recognized historians.

The America250 series will feature major celebratory events, including a Family Day event on Sunday, June 7, and a large living history event on Thursday and Friday, July 2 and 3. Both events are free, but registration is requested.

"I am really proud of the programming our team has put together to celebrate America250," stated executive director Christina McSherry. "All the programming is grounded in providing a variety of opportunities for our guests to engage with history and learn about the founding of our country and early America. We have events that will appeal to everyone, of all ages, throughout the season. From large celebratory events and concerts to lectures that investigate complex issues and events that shaped our nation, to hands-on activities, living history, and classes, however you want to celebrate America250, you will find it at Historic Rock Ford this year."

Guided tours of the Hand Mansion are available on Tuesdays through Fridays and on Sundays at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and noon. The Snyder Gallery is open on Tuesdays through Fridays and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.historicrockford.org.