The Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), in conjunction with the Columbia Historic Preservation Society and Rivertown Theatre Productions, will sponsor a walking tour of 15 historic properties in Columbia. The tour will take place on Saturday, Aug. 21, with the first group of tours commencing at 6 p.m.

In 2018, the CEDC received a grant from the Lancaster County Community Foundation to promote the CEDC's targeted economic development implementation plan for the Columbia Downtown Business District. The board chose to recognize buildings in the Old Columbia section of town due to this area's great historical significance. The buildings on the tour also are located within or in close proximity to the downtown area.

In 2020, 15 property owners permitted CEDC to mount a plaque on their building. Each plaque includes a brief description of the building's important historical purpose.

Combining the research of Chris Vera, president of the Columbia Historic Preservation Society, and the production talents of Rebecca Wright and Sara Mimnall of Rivertown Theatre Productions, the CEDC will present a living history tour of these properties. Actors will portray the original owners of the buildings in period costumes and give a narrative of themselves and the building and its impact on Columbia and its history. The actors will be stationed outside of the property and recite their story from the sidewalk.

The tour will begin at the Art Printing Company, 131 Locust St., originally known as the Columbia Bank and Bridge Company, and proceed up Locust Street to Perfect Settings, which housed the Odd Fellows Hall. Other stops on the tour will be Zeamer's Pharmacy, now B&T Sportswear; the Columbia Fire Company, a private residence; the Columbia Market House; the Samuel and Lillian Evans Homestead, a private residence; the Keystone Fire Company; Central National Bank, Truist Bank; Hinkle and Schroder Pharmacy, Hinkle's Restaurant; 'Squire Stover, Stover's News Agency; Shannon Armory, Noah Wenger Center; John Houston Mifflin Homestead, a private residence; First English Lutheran Church, Columbia Historic Preservation Society Museum; Vigilant Fire Company; and the Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger Station, Eastern Drillers and Coffee and Cream.

There is a fee for tickets. To make reservations and obtain additional information, contact Chris Vera at 717-572-7149.