Conestoga Area Historical Society

The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County is a state and federally registered, member supported, non-profit organization. Our mission is to preserve and protect Lancaster County's rich historic and architectural character through education, advocacy and direct action. The Historic Preservation Trust was established in 1966 to help, "stem the rapid destruction of historic properties in Lancaster County." Through the years, the Trust has been active in helping preserve many historic properties in Lancaster County that contribute to their respective communities as special places for people to live and work. We believe that "historic preservation not only pays its own way but enriches lives as it saves the past." Today, the Trust helps promote historic preservation as a viable alternative through preservation education, advocacy, and action. From direct property acquisition and restoration, public and private partnerships, preservation consulting, legislative advocacy, and maintaining an archive of historic properties, to offering popular educational events, the Trust continues to be an effective force in helping preserve Lancaster County 's architectural resources for current and future generations. The diligent efforts of the Trust founders saved the historic Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House from demolition. This was the very building where Captain Meriwether Lewis trained with nationally renowned surveyor, Andrew Ellicott, on those navigational skills vital to the success of the famed Lewis & Clark expedition and now serves as the headquarters of the Trust. Visitors are welcome to tour this finely restored example of Georgian architecture and its exhibits outlining the story of its restoration and most famous inhabitant, Andrew Ellicott. Mr. Ellicott ( 1754-1820 ) was a master astronomer, engineer, and surveyor having completed the survey of the District of Columbia and helping to establish the famous Mason-Dixon border, among many other state boundary surveys. He was personally commissioned by President Jefferson to train Captain Lewis. In later years he was the commandant of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The trust accepted the donation of the property in 1996 through the generous gift of the Louise Steinman von Hess foundation. Lancaster County is unique in that it retains much of its architectural past amidst beautiful town, country and agricultural landscapes. However, rapid development and population growth, non-historic property alterations and neglect all continue to threaten our architectural treasures. Historic preservation is a proven process that has helped recycle literally thousands of historic properties throughout the United States into homes and businesses while retaining much of their architectural quality. Well-researched studies have consistently demonstrated the following economic and social benefits of historic preservation: While many historic properties in Lancaster have been preserved and are fine examples of adaptive reuse, much needs to be accomplished. Tens of thousands of historic properties remain unprotected. The Trust believes that by working directly or in partnership with the private and public sector, Lancaster County can retain its past charm while helping to build sustainable and healthy communities. PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS: John Bennawit; Douglas Campbell; Tony D'Alessandro, Strasburg Restorations; Thomas Despard, Commercial Prime Properties; Bruce Evans, Cox Evans Architects; Ed Greenabaum, Greenabaum Structures, P.C.; Ken Hammel, Hammel Associates Architects; John Hershey, RLA, Thomas Comitta Associates; Clarke Hess, Hess Home Builders; Carol Hickey, Hickey Architects; Elvin Kraybill, Esq., Gibbel, Kraybill & Hess; Jeff LeFevre, Realtor; Melanie LeFevre and Steven Funk, LeFevre Funk Architects; Mary Ann Marotta and Donald Main, MM Architects; Alan R. Musselman, Land and Community; L. Scott Paden, Paden de la Fuente; Kim Pennell, Esq., Gibbel, Kraybill & He