"This is a town steeped in history," said Bob Lescallette, an unofficial historian of Maytown. "Maytown is the oldest town in northwest Lancaster County, and there is a significant amount of history here."

Lescallette will put some of that history in the spotlight - or, rather, in the lanternlight - during the Maytown Hauntings Tour. The tour will run on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22 and 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tours will begin and end at the Maytown Historical Society Museum, 4 W. High St.

Dressed in 18th-century garb, Lescallette will take tourgoers to locations throughout Maytown, including a number of graves in two historic cemeteries.

"Along the route, I'll be talking about the local sites and some of the more macabre history of Maytown," he stated, describing the tour as a mix of true stories and legends based in truth. Lescallette, who was the pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church for 40 years, is a founding member of the Maytown Historical Society. He has researched the information in the tour and enjoys sharing his love of history with the community.

"This tour has more of a historical tone than a ghostly one," he said, "but it can be a little eerie."

This is the second year that Lescallette is leading the tour, which began in 2019 but had to be canceled last year due to the pandemic. "Our initial year was so well received, we had to turn people away," he recalled. "I think the appeal of a tour like this is a combination of people who want to learn more about the history of the town and people who want to maybe see things that are a little bit creepy."

Tourgoers are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Refreshments will be served at the museum at the tour's end.

Admission to the tour is by donation, and proceeds will benefit the Maytown Historical Society, which strives to promote and preserve the town's past. Proceeds will be used for acquisitions to the museum's collection, for guest speakers and for upkeep of the building and grounds. Fundraising is especially important this year, Lescallette noted, since the major events the society holds to raise money were canceled due to COVID. The society is planning to hold its annual Mayfest on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

Reservations are required for the lantern tour and may be made by calling 717-725-2437.