Mount Joy Area Historical Society

Mount Joy Area Historical Society The Mount Joy Area Historical Society's mission is to seek, preserve, and make available the history of the Mount Joy Area.

Step back into a one-room schoolhouse and discover the stories hidden inside its walls.Join the Mount Joy Area Historica...
06/09/2026

Step back into a one-room schoolhouse and discover the stories hidden inside its walls.

Join the Mount Joy Area Historical Society on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 7pm for a presentation by society board member, Mary, on the history of the Rock Point Road School in East Donegal Township.

Learn about tracing old deeds, uncovering the school’s origins, and daily life inside the one room school. Discover what students studied, how winter class trips worked, the excitementof spelling bees, and the illnesses that impacted rural school children.

Set inside Mount Joy’s own 1842 schoolhouse, this program offers a unique look at how early Lancaster County schools helped shape close-knit communities for generations. History lives here, and you’re invited!

📍 Cemetery Road Schoolhouse, 120 Fairview Street, Mount Joy
🍪 Refreshments & museum tours after the program
🎟️ Free & open to the public (donations appreciated)
🏛️ Open Sundays 1–4 p.m

05/28/2026

Meet Jean Ellis! Past president, editor and writer of multiple books, guest speaker, and local historian, Jean also serves as a docent here at the Mount Joy Area Historical Society. She knows all there is to know about Mount Joy as evidenced by our conversation on K.T. Keller and is an invaluable resource and dedicated volunteer. Interested in joining, click the link in our bio and don’t forget to like, comment, and share!

This Memorial Day🇺🇸, we remember and honor the men and women from Mount Joy and beyond who served our country with coura...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day🇺🇸, we remember and honor the men and women from Mount Joy and beyond who served our country with courage and sacrifice.

From uniforms and medals to photographs and personal stories, these pieces of history help us remember the lives behind the service. Today, we pause to reflect on their dedication and give thanks to all veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

05/20/2026

Then and Now: 214 West Main Street

This unassuming building has been part of Mount Joy’s story for nearly two centuries.

Originally known as the Old Bethel Church, the building was dedicated on December 25, 1838, making it the oldest church building in Mount Joy. It served the community until 1852, when it was sold for $330 to the Church of God. Worship continued here for decades, and in 1874 it became the New Mennonite Church, remaining active until the congregation dissolved in August 1935.

Not long after, the building began a new chapter. Harry and Mary Landvater bought the former church, renovated it into their family home, and opened Landvater’s Grocery Store in the same space by the end of the year, blending business and family with a space that was once reserved for worship.

In 1950, the Landvater’s sold the store to Saumel W. Heisey and it became Heisey’s Food Store. After 8 years in business Heisey’s closed up shop and the building became the home of Longenecker’s Meat Market, continuing to serve the community. The store continued on under a variety of names and owners until 1969.

Today, the building houses apartments, but still retains the bones of the original 1838 structure, a quiet reminder of faith, family, and business in Mount Joy.

Love uncovering local history? Join the Mount Joy Area Historical Society and help us preserve local history. Don’t forget to like and comment!

05/12/2026

This International Nurses 🩺 Day we’re remembering Rebecca Jane (Gilbert) Frank.

After graduating from Mount Joy House School in 1937 and training at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, Rebecca enlisted in the Army in 1940 and joined the Army Nursing Corps during World War II. As a Second Lieutenant in the 58th Hospital Train Unit, she served in England caring for wounded soldiers arriving from airports and docks. After five years of service, she returned home to Mount Joy, where she later met and married fellow WWII veteran, Charles Frank. The two eventually moved to Maryland and had 3 children.

Rebecca Jane (Gilbert) Frank’s store is a reminder of the dedication and sacrifice nurses have made both at home and abroad. Join us in thanking nurses past and present for all they do!

05/11/2026

We had a chance to celebrate Don turning 90 this weekend. A faithful and intuitive board member, Don has been invaluable in the School House Project and our current Capital Campaign. He listens carefully, always knows a guy, and is a real steward of Mount Joy. Cheers to Don!

These tin buckets, recently donated to the historical society, were made by Charles Webb, a local tinsmith, and offer a ...
05/08/2026

These tin buckets, recently donated to the historical society, were made by Charles Webb, a local tinsmith, and offer a glimpse into a family trade in Mount Joy. Like, comment, and follow along for more Mount Joy history!

Address

120 Fairview Street
Mount Joy, PA
17552

Opening Hours

1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+17176534718

Website

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