Ye Olde Sulphur Spa Historical Society

10/07/2026

Wednesday Wanderings in the Archives: This week we are highlighting one of our properties, the Huntington Township Election House that sits at the Rt 94 & 15 interchange.

As noted in the Thursday, October 6, 1910 edition of the "Comet", "the Huntington Township election house has been completed and looks like a good substantial building." Completed in time for that fall's election, this one room wood frame building would serve as the voting place for Huntington Township's Precinct 1 until the fall of 1970.

In May 1910, Adams County Commissioners, J. Andrew Kane, Zachary Cashman and William Weikert purchased the 4,000 square foot property from Elmer and Phoebe Yeagy for the purpose of establishing a voting place for the Sixth District composed of Huntington Township. The Yeagy’s were paid $39.00 for the lot while N.S. Brown of East Berlin was awarded the contract for the building of the election house and received $299.50 for that work. Elmer Yeagy also received $14.00 for posts and work that he did on the election house while Gilbert Fair was paid $9.15 for a stove he furnished.

On Election Days, the election house was an active place, not only for voting but for socializing as well. Men would sit on the chairs around the stove and discuss various topics as well as would watch to make sure that people they knew who were eligible to vote did so. As the time for the polls to close neared, if the men had not seen someone that they knew was eligible to vote, they would go and find them to bring them to vote.

Ye Olde Sulphur Spa Historical Society was granted use of the old Election House as a museum in the 1970’s by the Adams County Commissioners and served as such into the 1980’s. In 1995, at the Society’s 25th anniversary dinner, with Adams County Commissioner Harry Stokes serving as the representative, Adams County formally transferred the deed for the building and land to the Society.

Help support us as we preserve the Huntington Township Election House for future generations to enjoy through the Adams County Community Foundation's Giving Spree.

For more information on the ACCF's Giving Spree, visit their website:
https://www.adamscountycf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-Giving-Spree-Donor-Guide.pdf

10/03/2026

The Museum will NOT be open 10/4/2026 for First Sunday!

10/01/2026

Wednesday Wanderings in the Archives: The artifact we are sharing this week is an original grain bag from the Pondtown Roller Mills.

I.W. Weaver owned and operated the Pondtown Roller Mill from 1907-08 until 1913 in Latimore Township. Weaver, from Lancaster county, purchased the mill from Eli Masemer. Weaver would operate the mill for several years before selling the mill to Eli’s brother, Samuel in late 1913 for $1725. Weaver would relocate back to Lancaster County.

Help us preserve artifacts like this grain bag for future generations to enjoy by supporting us through the ACCF's Giving Spree.

For more information on the ACCF's Giving Spree, visit their website: https://www.adamscountycf.org/.../giving-spree-registration/

09/24/2026

Happy Thursday! Wednesday Wanderer here with a request for all of our followers as well as others who may enjoy our posts from time to time.

YOSSHS is an all-volunteer organization working to preserve the history of Northeast Adams county. We own and care for the Presbyterian Cemetery (Old Harrisburg Road going toward Gettysburg) and the old Huntington Township Election House at Routes 94 & 15 as well as manage our artifacts and archival collection at our museum on Main Street in York Springs. Historical preservation takes time and money. As a small (but mighty) historical society, we rely heavily on monetary donations to keep us running. That's why we applied to be a part of the Adams County Community Foundation's Giving Spree this year.

We love wandering in the archives with you each week, enjoying your likes, shares, and comments. Help us continue to bring the story of Northeast Adams county to you by supporting us through the Giving Spree. Over the next several weeks, the Wednesday Wanderer will share a specific item from our collection each week that we are preserving for future generations to enjoy.

This week, we're featuring an early-mid 19th century dress from the Metcalfe family that had been passed on through the generations and then graciously donated to YOSSHS. Perhaps worn by Mrs. Sarah Ann Pilkington Metcalfe, the wife of Petersburg (York Springs) doctor, H. (Hiram) C. Metcalfe. Dr. Isaac Pearson "read" (studied) medicine with and then practiced with Dr. Metcalfe for four years. Dr. Metcalfe was active in the IOOF (Independent Order of the Odd Fellows) Lodge in York Springs and was one of the organizers of the lodge in 1846.

For more information on the ACCF's Giving Spree, visit their website: https://www.adamscountycf.org/grants-scholarships/giving-spree-registration/

09/21/2026

Inviting everyone to the meeting tomorrow evening at 7:30 at the Museum. The topic will be "The American Revolution in Huntington and Tyrone Townships". Elaine Gilbert and Cathay Snyder will be presenting their findings as they researched for the 250th exhibit "In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness".

Send a message to learn more

09/17/2026

Wednesday Wanderings in the Archives: You may have noticed our cover photo the past few weeks...we are pleased to announce that YOSSHS is participating in the 2026 Giving Spree.
For more information about the Giving Spree and the participating non-profits, check out their website.

09/09/2026

Wednesday Wanderings in the Archives: We recently received a donation of a bench that had been used in the Presbyterian Church. It is pictured in front of the communion set, also from the church. You can see these artifacts in our "Faith & Fellowship" exhibit.

The Presbyterian Society of York springs was organized by Henry Wilson in 1818. The congregation met in George Smith’s barn as well as the Petersburg Academy until they erected their first building in 1830, located along Old Harrisburg Road (where the Presbyterian Cemetery is located south of town). In 1896, the congregation built a new church building on Main Street (pictured). The congregation dissolved in 1967.

09/02/2026

Wednesday Wanderings in the Archives: While the weather we're having might not seem like it, school is back in session! So Friday nights under the lights there will be football and band performances.

(Pictured are band uniforms from York Springs High School and Bermudian Springs in our education exhibit.)

08/19/2026

Wednesday Wanderings in the Archives: Hear Ye! Hear Ye! As part of our observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, the museum will be open this Saturday, August 22, from 9:30 am to 3:30 PM.

Rarely are we open on a Saturday but as we are a stop on Gettysburg History's "A Patriot's Quest" that day, it's a perfect time to stop by and check out our exhibits.