Historic York: A Museum of Transformation

For those who love to learn more, the history of Downtown York is vast and impactful.

BY KATIE MAHONEY | VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

That is how Kelly Summerford, Manager of the William C. Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum, describes the experience of visitors at this location on the National Register of Historic Places.

“People come to learn about the Underground Railroad, William Goodridge, and hopefully transform into, we hope, a better person, when dealing with culture specifics and the understanding of why the Underground Railroad was necessary,” Summerford shares. “Everyone wants to come to an Underground Railroad site, but few want to know why it needed to exist.”

The Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum is located in the once owned home of Mr. William C. Goodridge at 123 E. Philadelphia St. in Downtown York and shares the story of his life as an abolitionist, and prominent African-American businessman in York. He owned and operated a barbershop, variety store, employment agency, line of railroad cars and delivery services, as well as built the tallest building of its time in York City. He and his wife also owned several properties, donating one that became an African-American school.

“Goodridge had the most robust business right there in the square. It was the premier emporium, and he sold everything in it, like the Amazon of today. He was an incredible businessman,” shares Summerford. “Fostering pride after so much being stripped away isn’t easy.”

The Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum, owned and operated by Crispus Attucks York, is an authenticated Underground Railroad site and museum. “We are not a ‘check off list’ tour,” adds Summerford. “It’s an hour and 15 min tour, it’s not a drop in, not a lot of artifacts. The house itself is an artifact. You listen, you learn about those freedom seekers. You leave and will have a piece of history that you can share. Those that visit become abolitionists.”

Plan Your Visit

“I want to help people find a peaceful place,” shares Summerford. “You could come here and talk about anything – we are a safe space. Any -ism, you can discuss those here and KNOW you are in a safe environment. Whether financial freedom, or social freedom, we are living in a time where all of this is still necessary, but no longer still has to be a secret.”

The Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad has welcomed visitors from 48 states, and over 300 cities and towns. Reservations are needed to schedule a tour.

Tours are available Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00am - 6:00pm. All tours must be scheduled on goodridgefreedomcenter.org or by calling (717) 650-1998. | @GoodridgeFreedomCenter

Coming Soon...

GOODRIDGE STATUE

A bronzed life size statue in honor of William C. Goodridge will be installed in late Summer. This will be the first African-American statue in York County, installed in front of his home and now museum. Details on the installation and celebration will be available in coming weeks.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY CENTER

Crispus Attucks is breaking ground in 2023 for an African-American History Center and Lecture Hall in York City. The almost 20,000-square-foot, three-story building will be located on Crispus Attucks’ campus at 605 S. Duke St. The three-story museum will feature exhibitions, guided tours and lectures on York’s African American history. By showcasing under told stories from the city’s Black community, the center aims to serve as a space for dialogue on race.

For “THE HISTORY BUFF,” also check out:

York County History Center at 250 East Market Street Through murals with tours, lectures, workshops, exhibits, research facilities and living history programs, the History Center continues collecting, preserving and interpreting more than 250 years of York County’s rich and diverse history. The Center includes the Historical Society Museum and Library/Archives, Agricultural and Industrial Museum, Colonial Complex, The Bonham House, and Fire Museum.

yorkhistorycenter.org |@YorkCountyHistoryCenter