Share in the adventure of discovery with friends, old and new, on a learning tour with us.  Our trips combine in-depth, historical accuracy with engaging guides and enjoyable visits to places of note in the greater Lancaster County area and its environs (some one-day trips travel as far as Philadelphia and New York City). 

Each tour is oriented toward the history of a particular place and is thoroughly researched beforehand by competent experienced guides.  Comprehensive information booklets are prepared for each tour.  These necessary arrangements ensure a delightful and informative journey for all. 

Tours usually begin and end at Society headquarters (2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster).  Travel is aboard modern, comfortable coach buses with careful drivers.  Call Dorothy at (717) 393-9745 for prices and details.  All are welcome!

Upcoming Trips

Saturday, January 9, 2010, 7:45 am - 4:30 pm

Join in the pageantry of this Renaissance religious festival to celebrate Epiphany, performed at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, northeast of Philadelphia, in their 29th year of producing the pageant.  Our popular field trip visits our sister oganization, the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, PA, followed by a 90-item breakfast buffet at Franconia Heritage family restuarant, and an afternoon performance of the Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival. 

Performance includes holiday music amid a costumed procession of royalty, lords and ladies, knights, jesters and acrobats, pages, shepherds, the Holy Family, and the Three Kings.  This Old English festival, which includes a yule log lighted from the last year's ember, honors the birth of Christ overcoming the wild boar, ancient symbol of evil.  Our tour is a wonderful way to chase away post-holiday blues and share in an ages-old tradition. It also makes a good Christmas gift.

Friday, May 7, 2010, 8 am - 1 pm 

Follow in the footsteps of the first permanent European settlers in Lancaster County, visiting sites of Pennsylvania German historic and genealogical interest in Strasburg and Willow Street,.  This half-day tour stops at related points of ancestral interest to Bowman (Bauman), Funk, Hauri, Houser, Herr, Hess, Kendig, LeFever, Miller, Mylin, Tschantz, and Weber surnames.  This tour is timed to coordinate with other 300th anniversary celebrations.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Walk, bike or ride a Conestoga Wagon along the immigrant path that our ancestors took through Lancaster County 300 years ago.  Mark your calendars now!

Planning a family gathering or reunion in Lancaster County?  Contact us for individualized tours of particular places significant in your family history.  We can handle the arrangements and provide knowledgeable guides so you can enjoy the day, worry-free.

Thursday, May 6, 2010, 8 am - 5 pm

Follow the routes taken by the early German Mennonite settlers of Lancaster County.  Arrive at port in the old city of Philadelphia (via ferry), like our forebears.  Includes lunch at the historic City Tavern.  Stops and narration en route from the 1719 Herr House in southern Lancaster County, considered paradise, where this tour begins and ends.

Friday, May 7, 2010, 8 am - 5 pm.

Upon settlement in the woods of Conestoga in 1710, our ancestors encountered Susquehannock Indians whose history pre-dated the Europeans’ arrival by thousands of years.  While Pennsylvania German Mennonites maintained friendly relations with local Indians, their increasing numbers contributed to Indian displacement.  This tour explores important sites in Native American history around Lancaster County to understand this relationship.  Tour stops at a local  Indian museum.