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The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy
The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy
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At the CenterDiscover the Stories. Continue the work.

At the Stevens & Smith Center, history comes to life through the powerful stories of Thaddeus Stevens, Lydia Hamilton Smith, and the networks of people that helped reshape the nation before, during, and after the American Civil War. Immersive exhibits invite you to explore Lancaster’s role in the fight against slavery and the unfinished work of American democracy. Discover a place where the past both challenges and inspires the present.

A spacious, modern building interior with people walking, standing, and talking on multiple levels. Glass railings, wood slat ceilings, informational signs, and large wall displays are visible throughout the open area.

Collection HighlightsStories told through historic objects

Three people—a man, a child, and a woman—stand in front of a glass museum display case examining various artifacts and objects. The setting appears to be an indoor museum exhibition.

The Stevens & Smith Center collections bring to life the world of Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith through a rich array of artifacts, documents, and archaeological discoveries. Visitors can explore original furnishings, personal belongings, and rare archival materials that reveal daily life, political strategy, and the fight for freedom in 19th-century Lancaster and beyond.

From Underground Railroad stories to Reconstruction-era history, the exhibits at the Stevens & Smith Center connect local experiences to national change—offering a powerful, immersive look at the people and movements that shaped American democracy.

Explore the Highlights

Artifact Listings

$200 Reward Handbill

Autographs of the Delegates to the Pennsylvania Convention to Revise the Constitution

Corn Knife from Christiana

Fahnestock’s Daguerreotype

Letters from Lydia Smith

Mayor’s Register of Coloured Persons

Shiffler Fire Company Collection

Thaddeus Stevens’ Wig

Explore the Exhibitions

Step into sixteen immersive galleries that bring to life the stories of Thaddeus Stevens, Lydia Hamilton Smith, and the fight for freedom. Through powerful storytelling and interactive experiences, discover how Lancaster has shaped a more just nation.

Be Inspired by the Past
A sepia-toned historical photograph shows a man in a suit and bow tie standing next to a woman with dark hair parted in the center, both looking directly at the camera.

LancasterHistory MembershipsMembers Make History Happen

Membership helps sustain the Stevens & Smith Center by supporting exhibitions, programs, and preservation. Be part of a community of people dedicated to sharing and sustaining Lancaster’s powerful stories.

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