Dill's Tavern

08/28/2026

Have you ever heard of the Flying Camp of 1776? Most people haven't!

Created by the Continental Congress during the summer of 1776, the Flying Camp was a reserve force of militia designed to reinforce the Continental Army when it was needed most. Men from Pennsylvania answered the call, including volunteers from right here in Northern York County.

Our latest installment of the NYCHAPS Revolutionary War Project explores who these local men were, why they enlisted, and where their service took them during one of the most challenging periods of the Revolutionary War. Along the way, you'll discover familiar local names and see how the actions of ordinary people from our community became part of a much larger story.

History is all about the neighbors, families, and volunteers whose stories deserve to be remembered.

📖 Read **Vol. 1.7: The Flying Camp of 1776** here:
https://northernyorkhistorical.org/blogs/northern-york-county-history/nychaps-rev-war-vol1-7

Have you discovered a Revolutionary War connection to your own family or community? We'd love to hear about it in the comments.

08/26/2026

Did you know Dills Tavern & Eichelberger Distillery is an official stop on Patriots' Path: Explore the Revolutionary War in Cumberland Valley!

Patriots' Path is a new, self-guided Revolutionary War heritage trail that connects 37 historic sites across Cumberland Valley. It highlights the communities, businesses, and everyday people whose efforts helped shape America's fight for independence. The trail was developed through a partnership led by the Army Heritage Center Foundation along with regional historical and tourism organizations, and officially launched on June 30.

Our stop, Dills Tavern & Eichelberger Distillery: Serving the Community During the Revolution, tells the story of how this crossroads tavern and neighboring distillery supported soldiers, travelers, and local families during the Revolutionary War. It's a reminder that the story of independence wasn't written only on battlefields. It was also shaped in places like Dillsburg, where ordinary people kept communities moving during extraordinary times.

A special thank you goes to Richard Conley, whose dedication helped make Dills Tavern's inclusion in Patriots' Path a reality. His passion for preserving and sharing Northern York County's history continues to create new opportunities for people to experience our community's Revolutionary story.

If you haven't explored Patriots' Path yet, now is the perfect time! We invite you to visit Dills Tavern, discover our place in this incredible trail, and see how Northern York County helped shape the nation's founding.

🔗 Explore our Patriots' Path stop: https://www.visitcumberlandvalley.com/listing/dillsburg-tavern-%26-eichelberger-distillery%3a-serving-the-community-during-the-revolution/3872/

08/24/2026

Balderdash is a combination of our traditional homebrew festival along with our Cherry Bounce festival - and it’s a fan-favorite event you will not want to miss!

This merger, though muddled, provides the visitor with an entertaining opportunity to sample homebrews created by amateur and aspiring brewers and unique variations of historic cherry bounce created by local cherry bounce fans. One single $25 ticket allows guests to sample and vote for Best Homebrew AND Best Cherry Bounce.

Over 21 only. No dogs, please!

Cherry Bounce and Homebrew contestants do NOT need to pay to enter ~ Contestants desiring to enter the People’s Choice Cherry Bounce competition should contact Karen at [email protected]. Contestants desiring to enter the Homebrew competition should contact Sam at [email protected].

08/23/2026

August is one of the busiest months in the garden, and a little attention now can make a big difference in your harvest this fall.

In the latest edition of The Garden Shed, Gary Reneker shares practical tips for harvesting, preserving herbs, staying ahead of weeds and garden pests, and making the most of the growing season before cooler weather arrives. He also explains why August is the perfect time to start thinking ahead to your fall garden.

Whether you're tending a backyard vegetable patch or just getting started, there's plenty of timely advice to help your garden thrive.

🌱 Read the latest Garden Shed blog here:
https://northernyorkhistorical.org/blogs/dills-tavern/dills-tavern-the-garden-shed-1-7

What's growing best in your garden this August? Let us know in the comments!

08/21/2026

History comes to life every Saturday at the Eichelberger Distillery! Looking for plans tomorrow? We've got you covered!

Step inside a fully functioning reproduction distillery and discover how Pennsylvania Rye whiskey was made using 18th-century methods and technology. Guided by historic ledgers and manuscripts, every tour offers a fascinating look at one of the industries that helped shape early Pennsylvania.

Tours begin on the hour from 12, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. $10 per person. Tours are approximately 30 minutes. Those wishing to participate in the tasting portion of the tour must present valid ID.

Whether you've visited Dills Tavern before or it's your first time, this is a unique way to experience local history in action. Grab a friend and join us this Saturday!

🎟️ Learn more or grab your tickets: https://northernyorkhistorical.org/eichelberger-distillery

08/20/2026

We're back with another photo from the archives! Can our help us identify anyone from this photo? This picture is of a Nativity play by the Women's Club at St. Paul's Lutheran church. We do know that this was taken prior to 1941 but don't know any names of those shown.

Let us know if the comments below if you have any information about this photo, the people in it, or other details! 🔍✨

08/19/2026

We love Saturdays at Dills Tavern for many reasons, especially in the summer, when we have the Dillsburg Farmers Market and all the fun that comes with it!

This Saturday from 10-11 am, you can also swing by the tavern grounds for story time with the Dillsburg Library. Join Ms. Sue for stories, rhymes, and songs!

Market hours are from 8 am to noon. See you then!

08/18/2026

One nation. One moment. One sound.

It might be August, but July feels like yesterday!

On July 4th, at noon, communities across Pennsylvania paused to ring bells in honor of 250 years of American independence. Our fence was also lit with red, white, and blue lights as part of America250PA’s Light To Unite project by Dara Kane. Sam McKinney's special contribution to this national birthday party was purchasing, building, and firing a period Mountain Howitzer cannon!

The America 250 National Potluck, planned and prepared by Mark and Brenda Baumgartner on July 5, was another opportunity to come together as a community with great food, music, and company!

08/17/2026

Did you catch the recent showing of The Whiskey Rebellion on PBS? If not, you can now stream it through the PBS app!

July 15th, 1794. Federal Marshall David Lenox and chief tax inspector John Neville arrive at a farm ten miles south of Pittsburgh to deliver a subpoena to one of hundreds of farmers in western Pennsylvania who refuse to pay the whiskey tax.

Warning shots force them to flee. The next day thirty local rebels surround Neville’s fortified home and demand the surrender of Lenox, who they believe to be hiding inside. Neville shoots and mortally wounds one of their number. The rebels open fire but are forced to retreat. They return the next day 500 strong. Women and children are allowed to leave the house before both sides open fire. By end of day, rebels have burned Neville’s house to the ground. The western frontier was now in open rebellion.

You may notice some familiar places when you give it a watch, too!

The Whiskey Rebellion (1791-1794) was a major domestic political crisis in the formative years of the United States, triggered when treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton’s tax on the making of whiskey sparked a violent insurrection by settlers on the western frontier. WPSU explores this very relev...

08/16/2026

For the America250 celebration, NYCHAPS' very own Lisa Lupold and Richard Conley have done extensive research into the Revolutionary War Soldiers from Northern York County. They have uncovered information on hundreds of local residents and their participation in America's fight for freedom. (The list of names has been compiled and put up on the barn at Dills Tavern, which you may peruse at your convenience.)

Tomorrow evening from 6-8 pm, they will be sharing details of their research and findings during this public presentation at the (Dillsburg) South Mountain VFW.

Joining our NYCHAPS speakers will be 2 members of the Sons of the American Revolution dressed in uniform. So come with your questions (and ancestors' names, if possible), and you might just be surprised by what you learn!

Get the full event details here: https://northernyorkhistorical.org/events/rev-war-presentation