The mission of the Rock Ford Foundation is to provide opportunities to connect with and explore the life of Edward Hand, the diverse communities and material culture of early Lancaster County, and the complex issues that shaped our nation in its formative years by preserving and interpreting Historic Rock Ford and its collections.
Historic Rock Ford was the home of Edward Hand and his family as well as enslaved and free servants and laborers. During the American Revolution, Edward Hand was Adjutant General to George Washington. Today, Historic Rock Ford is comprised of 33 acres at the southeastern edge of Lancaster City surrounded by Lancaster County Central Park. It offers guided tours of the elegantly furnished rooms of the circa 1794 Hand Mansion as well as the opportunity to visit the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts which is housed in a re-constructed 18th century bank barn. Historic Rock Ford offers visitors a peaceful enclave for lovers of history, art and nature just inside the boundaries of Lancaster City.

Historic Rock Ford is now closed for the Tour Season. We will re-open on April 1, 2022.

To receive information on upcoming events at Historic Rock Ford, please click here to sign up.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR UPDATED COVID-19 POLICY

 

 

Become a Member today

Support Rock Ford through annual membership.

Click here for details.

Coming June 2022

To learn more about a new exhibit coming to the Snyder Gallery, please click here.

Special Event Rentals

Make your special event an historic occasion! Our 18th Century barn and grounds are available for rental. For more information, please click here.

We are grateful for the generous support of our 2021 Season Sponsors:

Lead Sponsors

Mr. Thomas G. Englert and The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

Supporting Sponsor

Rhoads Energy

 

Historic Rock Ford, an Educational Improvement Organization, sincerely thanks Fulton Forward and UGI for their generous support of our school programming.

 

 

 

Click here to support the Rock Ford Foundation through AmazonSmile.