The annual election of officers and trustees of the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley (HSCV) was held on Oct. 23, 2024. In addition to elected officers, the HSCV welcomed the committee chairpersons. This combined group of volunteers is already busy with new projects for 2025.

The officers and committee representatives include Angela Stewart, president; Pat Wolf, vice president; Robert Snader, treasurer; Penny Lyba, corresponding secretary and program committee; Joanne Bender, recording secretary and publicity; Ann Snader, nominating and by-laws; Doug Gehr, museum and library; Randy Newcomer, membership and print shop; Robert Lausch, property; Debra Martin, ways and means; Robert Eberly, newsletter; James Kimmel, education; Diana Palsgrove, finance and endowment; and Clarence Spohn, publications.

The trustees are Elaine Bowman, Brian Chelton, Fred Flinchbaugh, Gehr, Jean Kulp, Lausch, Gabe Mink, Delores Neuber, Jodi Showalter, Daniel Sweigart, and David Wise.

The HSCV was founded in 1957 with the purpose of discovering, gathering, and preserving materials and data related to the community known as the Cocalico Valley. The Cocalico Valley encompasses 10 municipalities in northern Lancaster County - the boroughs of Adamstown, Akron, Denver, and Ephrata as well as the townships of East and West Cocalico, Clay, Ephrata, and West Earl, along with a portion of Earl Township.

Located at 237-249 W. Main St., Ephrata, the HSCV campus comprises two historic buildings. The William and Jemima Brossman Library is housed within the Hamaker House, built in 1929 in the Tudor style. The 1868 Italianate Connell Mansion is home to the Theodore R. Sprecher Museum, containing three floors of exhibit space showcasing life in the Cocalico Valley. Additionally, the Conestoga Press, a living-history print shop, can be found in the mansion's carriage house.

In addition to maintaining these buildings and the artifacts and research materials within them, the HSCV is dedicated to sharing the area's history by holding monthly educational programs and welcoming groups from schools, retirement communities, and civic organizations. The society also hosts an annual Christmas open house, member picnic, and field trip, along with other special events.

New members and volunteers are welcome. To learn more, call 717-733-1616 or email hscv@cocalicovalleyhs.org.

The research library is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum, presently closed for the winter, will open on Saturday, March 1, for its normal hours of Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through December.