HOURS & TICKETING INFORMATION

HOURS OF OPERATION

The Hand Mansion and Snyder Gallery will reopen for our regular tour season on April 1, 2025.

Yuletide Tours are December 27, 28 and 29, 2024.

During its regular tour season, Historic Rock Ford is closed to the public on Mondays. The museum is also closed on the following Federal holidays: June 19 and July 4.

From April through October, guided tours of the Hand Mansion for up to 15 visitors per tour are available:

  • Tuesday through Friday and Sunday at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm

  • Saturday at 10 am and 12 pm

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

  • Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm

  • Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm

  • Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm

Guests may visit the Snyder Gallery before or after their scheduled mansion tour time.

Special arrangements must be made for Group Tours of 15 or more visitors. Please see the Group Tours page for more information. For school tours and programs, please see our programs page.

The Hand Mansion and the Snyder Gallery are air conditioned.

TICKETS

We recommend purchasing tickets in advance through Yapsody. If you would like assistance with the ticketing process, please call the Historic Rock Ford office at 717-392-7223 (option 4) between the hours of 10 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

Buy Tickets

Your bundled ticket gives you admittance to the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts and a guided tour of the General Edward Hand Mansion. We encourage you to make a reservation for a tour of the Mansion. The entrance to the Gallery is located on the upper level of the Rock Ford Barn, at the Ann B. Barshinger Welcome Center.

Guests must be present on the piazza of the Mansion at their scheduled tour time.

Ticket prices are:

  • $15 Adult

  • $13 Seniors (65+)

  • $12 Youth (6-17)

  • Free for children 5 years and under

Please note: The Mansion contains stairs. The first floor is wheelchair accessible. For guests that cannot walk up stairs, a book containing photographs of the Mansion’s upper level is available upon request. The John J. Snyder Jr. Gallery is handicapped accessible.

NEW TICKETING OPTION FOR 2024 SEASON

Beginning May 1, Historic Rock Ford will offer a bundled ticket which includes both a guided visit to the Hand Mansion and self-guided audio tour for the Snyder Gallery. This ticketing bundle is available for advance purchase through Yapsody for adults and seniors. Youth (recommended age: 13+) and Rock Ford Members may purchase their audio guide at the Hand Mansion or Snyder Gallery upon arrival for $5. All guests purchasing this ticket option must see a staff member at the Hand Mansion or Snyder Gallery to pick up a physical guide card. The Snyder Gallery audio tour will give visitors an in depth look at ten different pieces, lasts approximately 45 minutes, and is available in English and Spanish. 

Upon scanning a QR code, Historic Rock Ford audio guide cards will “bind” to your device, making the guide both reuseable and non-transferrable. Save your guide card for access to future Rock Ford audio guides. 

 
Piazza

The Piazza, or porch of the mansion.

PARKING

Please park in the parking lot at the main entrance, immediately off Rockford Road and adjacent to the Mansion.

  • 3 handicapped parking spaces are located adjacent to the brick walk entrance to the Mansion.

4 handicapped parking spaces are available at The Barn:

  • 2 are located at the Ann B. Barshinger Visitor Center (entrance to the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts)

  • 2 are located at the lower entrance to the barn

GUEST WIFI + MOBILE SERVICE

Guest WIFI is available in the Mansion and the Barn. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Cellular services claim to have cellular coverage at Historic Rock Ford. Please see one of our staff members if you need WIFI access.

PUBLIC RESTROOMS

Public restrooms are available in the Ann B. Barshinger Welcome Center. The Mansion does not have public restrooms.