Pennsylvania is turning the nation’s 250th birthday into a statewide celebration—and lucky for us, a lot of it is happening right here in our backyard.
From public art trails to free concerts and hands-on history, York & Adams County are packed with easy, affordable ways to join in.
🔔 Bells Across PA York & Adams County Stops
One of the most exciting parts of America250 is the “Bells Across PA” public art trail—artist-designed bells placed in meaningful community locations.
Here’s your local lineup with full addresses:
🐄 Adams County
📍 Beyond the Battle Museum 625 Biglerville Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325
🎨 “For the People”
🚂 York & Surrounding Rail Trail Stops
📍 Hanover Future Rail Trail Stop 2433 Seven Valleys Rd, Seven Valleys, PA 17360
🎨 “Building Community”
📍 Dillsburg Coover Park 201 N US Route 15, Dillsburg, PA 17019
🎨 “Dusk On The Farm”
📍 Brillhart Station Rail Trail Stop York, PA 17404
🎨 “She Lays in The Valley”
📍 John Rudy Park Rail Trail Stop 400 Mundis Race Rd, York, PA 17406
🎨 “Susquehanna Riverlands, circa 1608”
📍 York County History Center 121 N. Pershing Avenue, York, PA 17401
🎨 “The Energy of York County”
📍 New Freedom Train Station 117 N. Front Street, New Freedom, PA
🎨 “We the People, We Were Here”
🧭 America’s 250thGeocaching Trail
DCNR has partnered with America250PA to celebrate the role of Pennsylvania’s public outdoor spaces and their impact on the Commonwealth. Focusing on America250PA’s theme of “Educate, Preserve, Innovate, and Celebrate” (EPIC), the DCNR is helping to engage citizens in all 67 counties to commemorate this momentous occasion.
Think of it as:
- Outdoor treasure hunting
- Family-friendly exploration
- Hidden history at every stop
Completion earns a commemorative coin.
📍 York County Location: Codorus State Park
For other state wide locations click here
🏛️ History & Hands-On Experiences
Gettysburg National Military Park
📍195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Step into history with living history programs, battlefield tours, and special America250 events that bring the story of the Civil War era to life.
Eisenhower National Historic Site
📍243 Eisenhower Farm Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
The preserved farm of President Dwight D. Eisenhower offers an intimate look at 1950s presidential life, complete with original furnishings, grounds, and sweeping views of the Gettysburg countryside.
Gettysburg Railway
📍106 N. Washington Street Gettysburg, PA 17325
A historic rail experience offering narrated tours and themed excursions through the Gettysburg countryside, combining local history with a relaxed, family-friendly ride through one of America’s most storied regions.
York Colonial Complex
📍157 W Market St, York, PA 17401
A hands-on historic site showcasing York’s colonial roots, featuring restored buildings, exhibits, and immersive storytelling that highlight early American life and local Revolutionary War history.
Northern Central Railway of York
📍117 N Front St, New Freedom, PA,17349
A scenic heritage railroad offering themed train rides through the historic Northern Central Railway corridor, once used by Abraham Lincoln traveling to Gettysburg. Today it blends storytelling, scenic views, and family-friendly excursions.
🚗 Nearby Fun
🎶 Free Concert Experience
📍 Hersheypark Stadium
Featuring The Avett Brothers
📅 June 13
💸 Free
🎟️ Free tickets are available now for PA residents at concerts.america250pa.org and Ticketmaster, with a general public release starting May 1, 2026, at noon. Registration is strictly required for entry to this America250PA event.
America250 isn’t just a celebration—it’s a chance to rediscover the places we pass every day with fresh eyes. All you have to do is step outside, pick a direction, and start exploring—history is closer than you think.
