The Lower Swatara Township Historic Preservation Society will host the program "A Family History of the Development of Shope Gardens," on Thursday, March 16, at 6 p.m. The program will be held at the Lower Swatara Township Firehouse Community Hall, 1350 Fulling Mill Road, Middletown

Faye Shope Maulfair, daughter of the developer, will present her family's history and the story of the development that began on the Shope Farm when Olmstead Air Force base needed housing for families. The first homes were built in the early 1950s and cost under $10,000. Almost all still stand today, including the original farmhouse.

For more information, call 717-944-9891 and leave a message or visit http://www.lsthistoricpreservation.org. The presentation is free and open to the public.