Architecture does not exist in a vacuum. The City of Lancaster has been shaped by more than 270 years of history, and its buildings and historic neighborhoods reflect that history. As large-scale historic artifacts, old buildings are a good study tool for making history come alive for children. Buildings can reflect culture, political events, religion, technology, economic conditions, and a society's values.

Lancaster History Timeline: Concurrent U.S., State and Local Events (PDF Format) will help children (and adults) place buildings and architectural styles in a broader historical context. Beginning with the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492, through the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, this timeline will help students trace people, places and events that shaped the history of our country, commonwealth, and city.

The Lancaster History Timeline was researched and written by Kathy Trippe-McRee, who served on a task force committee of educators that guided development of a teacher's guide about Lancaster's architectural heritage that was produced during 2002-2003. The City of Lancaster is grateful to Kathy for developing the timeline, and for generously permitting this valuable and fascinating tool to be available on-line.