After a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Historic Tours of Prospect Hill Cemetery have returned! Tours are sponsored by the Historic Prospect Hill Cemetery Heritage Foundation and offered at NO CHARGE! They are wheelchair friendly and fun for everyone!. Community members are encouraged to explore York’s history on tours offered at 12:00pm and 2:00pm, one Sunday per month.
This will mark the 4th year that tours have been offered at Prospect Hill. Nearly 1,000 people have toured with us and spots continue to fill quickly – register early to secure your tour! The “History Tram”, pulled by a small tractor, will accompany 22 guests per tour, on a 90-minute ride throughout our hallowed grounds. Seating is limited. While walk-ins are welcome, we cannot guarantee seating to be available. We urge those interested to visit www.prospecthill.org/historic-tours to register and reserve their seat(s). Guests will also enjoy light refreshments one-half hour before their scheduled tour time.
2021 Sunday Tour Schedule
June 13, 2021 @ 12:00pm
June 13, 2021 @ 2:00pm
July 11, 2021 @ 12:00pm
July 11, 2021 @ 2:00pm
August 15, 2021 @ 12:00pm
August 15, 2021 @ 2:00pm
September 19, 2021 @ 12:00pm
September 19, 2021 @ 2:00pm
October 17, 2021 @ 12:00pm
October 17, 2021 @ 2:00pm
The Sunday Tour dives into the rich history behind the beginnings of Prospect Hill Cemetery, which was chartered in 1849, and many other topics including military history, Victorian symbolism, First Responder and veteran memorials, and more. Prospect Hill is the final resting place of men and women from the 19th and 20th centuries who created the industrial and social fabric of York County! Prospect Hill is also the final resting place for soldiers from every war in which our nation has participated! Additionally, Soldiers’ Circle is a federally owned site given to America after the Civil War. It serves as the final resting place for 162 soldiers, some of which died of wounds from the Battle of Gettysburg. The tour also explores Victorian-era architecture and symbolism that can also be found throughout York City. The Foundation and cemetery host several ceremonies throughout the year that honor service to our country and community. Our annual Court of Valor and Safekeepers Shrine ceremony, with York’s observance of the anniversary of 9/11 is held at Prospect Hill Cemetery! The Community Mausoleum is also featured on this tour. It’s arguably the only place in York you can find two handcrafted sphinxes! This building tells the story of cultural shifts on a national level, like pop culture and burial practices that are still emerging today.
Private tours are offered to groups of fifteen or more people. You may also register for private tours at www.prospecthill.com/historic-tours. Private tours feature the same Sunday Tour at a time more convenient for the group (i.e. VFW posts, service clubs, and community center groups). Join Jack Sommer and the Historic Prospect Hill Cemetery Heritage Foundation for a fun, historic tour like no other!
COVID-19 Warning – Although this is an outdoor event, we recommend that attendees wear a mask, even if they have been vaccinated, as there is no opportunity for social distancing once passengers have boarded the History Tram.
- Welcome to Prospect Hill Cemetery, chartered in 1849 by the local Reformed Church. Today, more than 90,000 interments have taken place on the 175 acre property.
- The Prospect Hill History Tram transports guests on a 1.5 hour tour the 175-acre cemetery property.
- The former Groundskeeper’s Home, designed by Reinhart Dempwolf in 1904, following a fire that completely destroyed the original structure, now serves at the Main Office at Prospect Hill Cemetery.
- Private Mausoleums are located throughout the property and are the final resting places for many well-known York families.
- Originally constructed in 1914 and dedicated in 1915, the Community Mausoleum is the final resting place for many of York’s most prominent citizens. The Foundation restored the mausoleum to its original glory in 2009.
- Philip Livingston, signor of the Declaration of Independence is interred at Prospect Hill Cemetery.
- John Henry Denig, one of several Medal of Honor recipients interred at Prospect Hill.
- Samuel P. Glatfelter
- George Washington Pflatsgraff
- Thomas Shipley
- The Fallen Heroes Monument honors the men and women we have lost during the Global War on Terror.
- The Fallen Heroes Memorial Banners honor the York County heroes who made the Supreme Sacrifice in duty since 9/11/2001.
- More than 300 Pennsylvania Flags, each bearing the name of a PA soldier who gave their life in service of their country are placed on the property each Spring.
- The Court of Valor Monument, dedicated in 2009, honors more than 400 York County veterans.
- The SafeKeepers Shrine honors the York County Police, Fire and EMS heroes who have given their lives in the Line of Duty. More than 40 names have been added since its dedication.