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.

 

For information on tour times, admission rates and reservations, please click here. 

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

To listen to podcasts about Edward Hand and the history of Rock Ford, please click here.

 

The John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts

The Gallery will be open to the public on April 13, 2021. For more details, please click here.

Opening Day and Group Tours

Opening Day is April 13! Click here to purchase tickets.

Group Tour information has been updated. Reserve your Group Tour by clicking here.

Weddings & Special Events

Make your wedding or 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 2020 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.