Like many towns in Lancaster County, East Petersburg has a rich history and roots that are centuries old. Over the decades, the area has undergone many changes as it has evolved into a vibrant community that hosts music festivals and events that highlight local businesses, and the town has recently welcomed many new residents as it continues to grow. Amidst the steady growth and evolution of East Petersburg, the East Petersburg Historical Society (EPHS) is making an effort to preserve the history that made the community what it is today.

EPHS is located at 1905 State St. in East Petersburg, where it hosts a variety of programs and manages the Daniel Wolf House year-round. The museum is the former home of Daniel Wolf and his wife, Polly, who founded what was then known as Petersburg in 1812. EPHS was established in 1976 with a mission to preserve memorabilia from East Petersburg's past, and the group purchased the Daniel Wolf House in 1994. The Daniel Wolf House is a treasure trove of old artifacts, photos and historical records that the organization makes available to educate local residents.

EPHS has accumulated its collection of memorabilia and educational displays over many years with the help of donations from local residents. Many community members have donated items such as journals and letters, and the museum's displays feature wooden replicas of buildings in East Petersburg, including many structures that are no longer standing. In the 1980s, a local Eagle Scout donated his project that shows a chronological view of East Petersburg's history since the arrival of settlers in the 1800s.

"I just don't want East Petersburg to be forgotten," said Samuel Maurer IV, president of EPHS and a lifelong resident of the town. "A lot of people are moving here, and we like to share our history and tell them why that building's there or why this alley goes down that street."

Samuel recalled riding a bicycle through town as a child, and he remembers watching the homes being constructed on Hershey Avenue in the 1960s. In 1985, Chester Maurer, Samuel's great-uncle, created a wooden replica of the wooden well pump that served as East Petersburg's main water source in bygone eras. Samuel said he watched Chester make the replica, and the pump is now featured in a display at the Daniel Wolf House.

EPHS regularly organizes community events and educational programs to highlight the area's history, including a presentation about the East Pete Bulldogs football team in October. Two coaches from the former football program told stories from games and shared pictures of old teams at East Petersburg Community Park, and many attendees spotted their young selves in the photos. The coaches also donated an assortment of old jerseys and team jackets to EPHS.

EPHS invites members of the community to celebrate the holiday season and peer into the past at its Christmas open house on Saturday, Dec. 7. The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Daniel Wolf House, and it will include light refreshments, Christmas music, a silent auction, a model train display and tours of the decorated museum.

For more information, visit https://eastpetehistory.org or search for "East Petersburg Historical Society" on Facebook.