Videos from NHAHS Public Programs

In this New Holland Area Historical Society special presentation, Don Horning shares the history of New Holland Machine Company, now a world leader in agricultural equipment. He was joined by former New Holland employees Diane Brown, Ed Blakesley, Larry Knepper, John Freimuth and Fred Bradley.

For the April 2024 public meeting, author Judy Stavisky MPH, M. Ed., presented about Amish women in Lancaster County.

For the February 2024 public meeting, Cory Van Brookhaven, journalist, author, and historian, presented on Lancaster's Middleweight boxing champion, Leo Houck.  

 Local Historians Cory Van Brookhaven and Dominish Miller presented the similarities between the White Rose and the Red Rose cities including architecture, industry, religion, and much more!

 Matthew Christopher, creator of the Abandoned America website, podcast, and book series, took us on a journey through some of America’s most haunting ruins. From abandoned malls and amusement parks to churches, factories, and homes, we explored the fascinating stories of how these places were left behind and separated fact from fiction when it comes to their past.  

Brett Snyder, a local historian, discussed the life story of H. Clifton Thorbahn. Brett says, “I’m working to revive interest in H. Clifton Thorbahn’s importance to Lancaster County, based on his own scrapbook – as a Jazz music pioneer, writer, historian, teacher, editor, publisher, and tourism promoter.” Brett’s presentation included stories from Thorbahn’s life, including his involvement in promoting local jazz and vaudeville shows in the 1920s, writing, directing and producing radio specials for WGAL in the 1930s, writing for the Lancaster Sunday News from 1925-1935 and working with the Fulton Theatre as well as early Lancaster movie and vaudeville theaters.

In February 2023, the Welsh Mountain series focused on racial/economic dynamics connected with the nearby Welsh Mountain Community. Ken Sensenig, a local historian, presented stories and historical research.

 Lamar Weaver and John Weber explore the Weber-Weaver family’s connections in Lancaster County.  The Johannes Weber family emigrated to the United States in the early 1700s and first settled in Philadelphia. They moved west to Lampeter; three of the four sons settled in East Earl Township, which later became known as the Weaverland Valley.