Celebrate the history and heritage of Lancaster County - and Marietta specifically - at the next installment of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County's speaker series, "The Preservation Palette: Colors of Our Past."

The presentation, "Public History and the Founding Families of Marietta," will be held on Wednesday, March 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The program will be held in the Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House, 123 N. Prince St., Lancaster.

The evening will feature a journey through local history accompanied by heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages.

Eric Schubert, a public historian and forensic genetic genealogist, will present the program.

A graduate student at Millersville University, Schubert has gained national attention for his research expertise. As a student at Elizabethtown College, he collaborated with professor Jean-Paul Benowitz on a variety of public history projects.

"During this presentation, the stories behind Marietta's founding families and influential business leaders, including the Duffys, Mehaffeys, Groshes, Hiestands, Stibgens and Spanglers will be discussed," Schubert shared. "These movers and shakers had extensive personal stories and business endeavors that contributed to the economic development of Front Street, the Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania Canal in the 19th century."

He noted that not only is the topic an important part of Marietta's history, but now is also the perfect time to share more with the community as students of the Elizabethtown College Public Heritage Studies Program are currently conducting historical research.

Schubert said people who attend the program can expect to learn more about the role Marietta played in the region's past.

"Marietta has a vast history that is tied to other parts of Lancaster County, larger families and Pennsylvania as a whole," he stated. "Some of these stories, personal narratives and connections have not been shared often publicly, and they offer fascinating insight into 19th-century Marietta and Lancaster County. Fresh research by Public Heritage Studies students has continued to bring up new finds. Find out if your family name or relatives are connected!"

The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County is dedicated to preserving the county's historic sites and architecture through education and advocacy. As a nonprofit, the Trust collaborates with individuals, businesses and government agencies to protect the integrity of local historic properties. Relying on membership, events and grants for support, the organization minimizes costs by using volunteers. Its mission is to ensure Lancaster's architectural heritage remains a vital part of the community for future generations.

Schubert's program will be held in the historic Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House, which serves as the headquarters for the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County. The 18th-century Georgian-style home, built in 1780, was once home to Andrew Ellicott, who taught Meriwether Lewis navigation techniques used for the Lewis and Clark expedition of the western territories.

Tickets are limited for the presentation. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4hHFNuc.