A century ago, many roads led to the borough of York Haven. Canal Road was one, and the early highway to Harrisburg was another. A trolley line connected York with York Haven. The Conewago flowed into the Susquehanna at York Haven. The town hosted first grist milling and then a major paper mill. An early American canal - Canal Road’s namesake -  cut through to allow water craft to circumvent the falls in the Susquehanna near the town. Much of the industry has departed leaving a town with good bones and one that is in search of investment. But it has gained some muscle: The NeyChip History Center will tell about this historic borough’s rich past and help envision possibilities for its future.

Highlighting six local York County books that didn't make it into the main presentation

In 2003, Eric Ledell Smith looked at the local history enterprise in York County, writing in a statewide journal that York County was experiencing a “renaissance” of history writing. In the 20 years since that assessment from this noted Pennsylvania historian, York County has amassed a wealth of local history research in thoughtfully written books and digital platforms. These works about York’s past have surfaced the best of what it means to be a York countian without inflating our reserved personality that has always represented us so well. These books have illuminated moments where we have fallen short as a county without deflating our indefatigable community spirit that seeks to make things better. “A room without books,” an ancient philosopher said, “is like a body without a soul.” In their February "Hometown History" episode, Jamie Noerpel and Dominish Marie Miller will tell how shelves ever filling with books about York County’s past have strengthened our souls and deepened our community understanding. And they will talk about their favorites. To paraphrase another sage, we are planning a future by casting away the planting of cut flowers and putting into the ground those that will grow long roots in our rich limestone soil.

Silas Chamberlain, author of “On the Trail: A History of American Hiking”

From 1803 to 1833, the Eichelberger family distilled spirits here. Locals from Dill’s town, now Dillsburg, drank here; they dinned here; they celebrated here. In April of 2024, the distillery will re-open for the first time in 200 years. Here’s an explanation of how the Eichelbergers would have distilled their own whiskey.

The Dill’s tavern dates back to the 18th century when taverns were the epicenter of social life. In this episode, Jamie and Domi trace the stone structure’s history back to the first glasses of whiskey were sold up to today with the opening of a “new” distillery.

West Manchester’s Jan Watt is living the dream in her restored West Manchester farmhouse - the Peter Wolf House. “It’s almost like I see it new every day,” she told the YDR several years ago. That, despite the view of a gas station from her bedroom window and the rumble of cars speeding by, as the YDR reported some years ago. The old farmhouse that Watt and her husband, Steve March, have restored - and are restoring - is surrounded by a Rutters (and soon a Wawa), a warehouse, a car dealership and its former barn, now a commercial site. The Peter Wolf House, thus, tells a story of York County and its transition from a key role in an agricultural community to standing in a mishmash of commercial and residential development. And yet, this testament to York County’s farming past rises tall today thanks to the perseverance of its owners.

West Manchester’s Jan Watt is living the dream in her restored West Manchester farmhouse - the Peter Wolf House. “It’s almost like I see it new every day,” she told the YDR several years ago. That, despite the view of a gas station from her bedroom window and the rumble of cars speeding by, as the YDR reported some years ago. The old farmhouse that Watt and her husband, Steve March, have restored - and are restoring - is surrounded by a Rutters (and soon a Wawa), a warehouse, a car dealership and its former barn, now a commercial site. The Peter Wolf House, thus, tells a story of York County and its transition from a key role in an agricultural community to standing in a mishmash of commercial and residential development. And yet, this testament to York County’s farming past rises tall today thanks to the perseverance of its owners. Jamie Noerpel and Dominish Marie Miller will tell the story of the Peter Wolf House, its restorationists and its future.

Jamie and Domi highlight 6 preservation projects throughout York County

The Hoke House is one old property that was THE hottest frontier spot during the 18th century. People lived here. They gossiped here. They built York County here. Built around 1750, the Hoke House first functioned as a tavern that lasted into the next century. In this episode, Jamie and Domi focus on the building's role during the Revolutionary era.