News

Lancaster County to Celebrate America 250 at the Lancaster Courthouse on June 25

June 22, 2026

Lancaster County is hosting an America 250 open house at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Thurs., June 25, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. The event celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Everyone is welcome to visit the historic courthouse, discover local history and the court system, and join in family-friendly activities during the evening.

“Our courthouse has stood at the center of Lancaster County’s civic life since the 1860s, and opening its doors for this special America 250 celebration allows our community—children through adults—to experience that history firsthand,” said President Judge Leonard G. Brown, III. “We’re proud to share the stories, the architecture, and the traditions that have shaped justice in our county for more than a century and a half.”

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and the event begins at 6 p.m. with a flag presentation and a patriotic song. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a short program about Lancaster’s history. Then, at 6:45 p.m., court representatives will talk about how Lancaster's judiciary changed before and after 1776. A question-and-answer session starts at 7 p.m., giving visitors a chance to learn more about the role of the judiciary in Lancaster County today.

During the event, visitors can take guided courthouse tours, join a kids’ scavenger hunt, use the photobooth, play games, enjoy snacks, enter raffles, and get a chance to win a free t-shirt while supplies last.

Built in the mid-19th century and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Lancaster County Courthouse still serves as the home of the Court of Common Pleas. The America 250 open house is part of statewide initiatives marking the nation’s 250th anniversary with educational and civic events.

This event is free and open to the public. For more details, visit https://www.court.co.lancaster.pa.us/297/4700/America-250-Open-House.

 

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Media contact: Kim Bathgate, 717-576-4373