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Stevens & Smith Center Joins National Park Service Reconstruction Era National Historic Network

Press Release | June 16, 2025

LancasterHistory is proud to announce that the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy has been accepted into the National Park Service’s Reconstruction Era Historic Network. The national network connects organizations and sites throughout the United States that provide education, interpretation, and research related to the Reconstruction Era (1861-1900) in American history. The National Park Service made the public announcement on June 4.

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RELEASE: LancasterHistory to Host Series of Events, Open Houses to Raise Awareness and Funds for New Museum
LANCASTER, PA — (March 31, 2024) Beginning Friday, April 4, LancasterHistory will host a series of events through April… Read more: RELEASE: LancasterHistory to Host Series of Events, Open Houses to Raise Awareness and Funds for New Museum
December 2024 Progress Update
Contributed by Robin Sarratt, Vice President Floors and ceilings and walls, oh my!For those of… Read more: December 2024 Progress Update
July 2024 Progress Update
It feels like time has flown since my last update in April! We were delighted… Read more: July 2024 Progress Update

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Concept renderings by RAA and Centerbrook Architects.

Exterior of the main entrance on East Vine Street

A rendering of the main lobby featuring a desk for tickets and computer generated people in the space. — A view of the main lobby inside the Stevens & Smith Center

A computer generated woman reads a panel inside a large room. There's a warm, wooden floor and brick walls. — The orientation theater inside the "Welcome to Lancaster" gallery.

A deep green painted room with panels of information on the wall. — A perspective of Thaddeus Stevens' law office

A rendering featuring a room with light blue historic wallpaper and a table and chairs in the center. The room has historic furniture, making it look like a recreated parlor space. — A perspective of the gallery "A Defiant Home," which is in the footprint of the parlor of the home of Stevens and Smith.

A rendering of illuminated plinths of abolitionists with visitors viewing the information. — Abolition and the Fight for Freedom

A rendering of an exhibit space in the Stevens & Smith Center with multiple people reading panels on the walls. — Slavery & Freedom in the North Exhibit

A rendering of a meeting space showing a group of people seated in a circle in a discussion. — The Commons

A perspective view looking from the main floor of Stevens & Smith, across to the historic cistern. — Before Construction (2018) Larry Lefever Photography

A view from the main lobby floor looking out to the new entrance of the site. The historic cistern is no longer viewable from this angle. Railings protect visitors on ramps and stairs. — After Construction (2025) Benchmark Construction

A view from the main floor across to the window surround separating the site from the Convention Center. Storage and construction debris are visible. — Before Construction (2018) Larry Lefever Photography

A view looking from the main lobby floor across to the window surround separating the site and the convention center. Metal railings are in place and a whole staircase has been added to get down to the lower level which is now brightly lit and covered in wood flooring. — After Construction (2025) Benchmark Construction

A view of the historic cistern exterior. There is dirt floor surrounding the wall of the structure, plus a concrete pathway leading to a door off to the left of the cistern. — Before Construction (2018) Larry Lefever Photography

A view of the historic cistern structure. The floor has been covered with cement and a new railing installed. There is better lighting and the walls have been plastered over. — After Construction (2025) Benchmark Construction

A view of the bottom level of the museum. It is a large concrete floor with lots of exposed walls and ceiling. — Before Construction (2018) Larry Lefever Photography

A view of the bottom level of the museum. The floors are now covered with wood. Gray drywall lines the walls. The ceiling has a decorative wooden cover with lots of lighting. — After Construction (2025) Benchmark Construction

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Stevens & Smith Center Joins National Park Service Reconstruction Era National Historic Network

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