Room Enough for them All: The People of Lancaster County on the Eve of Revolution

On Thursday January 19th, LancasterHistory.org will host Michael Showalter to kick off its 2017 Regional History Colloquium series with Room Enough for them All: The People of Lancaster County on the Eve of Revolution. Showalter is a museum educator at Ephrata Cloister, and will share the history of the various religious groups that sought freedom in mid-18th century Lancaster County.

By the middle of the 1750s, Lancaster County had become one of the most diverse places in all of the American Colonies. This mix of cultures and customs was created by Penn’s policies of religious toleration, vast natural resources, and a spirit of cooperation. Who were these people and what was their life like? Looking at tax records, church histories, travel accounts, local histories, and family traditions, this presentation will examine some information about the early residents of the county.

Michael S. Showalter is the Museum Educator at the historic Ephrata Cloister. He holds a BA in History from Millersville University and a MA from Penn State University in American Studies. He began volunteering at the historic Ephrata Cloister while still in high school, and has worked at the Cornwall Iron Furnace and The State Museum of Pennsylvania. He has been on the staff at historic Ephrata Cloister in 1996. In addition to leading tours at the site, he oversees the educational programs, public events, and manages the volunteer program at the site.

The colloquium Room Enough for them All will take place on Thursday, January 19, 2017 in Ryder Hall at LancasterHistory.org, 230 N President Avenue, Lancaster. A social gathering with refreshments will begin at 4pm, followed by the lecture from 4:30-5:30pm. The colloquium is free and open to the public.