Lincoln Highway Conference 2026: Full Schedule

Quick Links: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

Saturday, June 20

Pre-Conference event at Lincoln Highway Experience in Latrobe, PA
Details for Lincoln Highway Experience Bonus!

Monday, June 22

More detail here
12 p.m. or later: Register and check in at the Yorktowne Hotel

12 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Free time to explore York, PA
- Pop-Up Bookstore & Resource Room, Open from noon to 4 PM on Monday, The Yorktowne Hotel in the Pullo Room
- Lincoln Highway Art Exhibit, Open from noon to 4 PM, York College Community Engagement Center
- Bite to Eat, Visit the Davidson Lobby Restaurant at the Yorktowne Hotel, Other places nearby around Continental Square
- Artist Bingo Scavenger Hunt, Pick up a bingo card to explore the artwork in the Yorktowne Hotel and complete during conference to win a prize.
- A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway, PBS Documentary shown at 3:00 PM at the York College Community Engagement Center.
- Virtual Augmented Reality LH Spots, Find out more at 2:00 PM workshop, York College Community Engagement Center

6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Opening Reception, Valencia Ballroom
- Light food fare provided.
- Music by the Unforgettable Big Band.
- Historic ballroom for dancing.
- Cash bar available.
- Welcome from our event sponsor Explore York and York County Officials.

Tuesday, June 23

More details here.
Bus tours. Select from:
- Gettysburg Battlefield Tour
  - Bus Guide: Scott Mingus, Sr., Civil War Historian
  - Morning battlefield tour with Licensed Guides
  - Buffet Lunch at the Barn Resort in Gettysburg
  - Self guided tour of the Visitor Center, Gettysburg Foundation Museum & Cyclorama Painting
  - Dinner at the Altland House Restaurant in Abbottstown
  - Chambersburg Tour
    - Bus Guide: Mindy Gulden Crawford, Preservation Pennsylvania
    - Guided tour of the World War II Experience Museum
    - Picnic Lunch at Caledonia State Park with visit to Thaddeus Stevens Blacksmith Shop
    - Downtown Chambersburg reception and guided walking tours
    - John Brown’s House and Franklin County Historical Society
    - Visit Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium
    - Dinner at the historic Cashtown Inn
  - Columbia and Lancaster Tour
    - Bus guide: Benton Webber, Lancaster County historian and Tom Davidson, Lincoln Highway Association State Director
    - Haines Shoe House guided tour
    - Columbia activities include downtown guided walking tour, Turkey Hill Experience or National Clock and Watch Museum
    - Picnic lunch at Susquehanna Discovery Center
    - Lancaster activities include Central Market, Stevens & Smith Center for Freedom & Democracy or downtown guided walking tour
    - Dinner at Miller’s Smorgasbord Restaurant
    - Quick visit at Dutch Haven roadside attraction

Wednesday, June 24

More details here.
Morning: Lincoln Highway Association Annual Meeting with a buffet breakfast and buffet lunch served at our host Hotel Yorktowne.
- Following the meeting these presentations about 20th century Lincoln Highway transportation history will be shared.
- Brian Butko from the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh will share about his recent research on the Boy Scouts partnership with Lincoln Highway Association to locate and install the 1928 Lincoln Highway concrete markers. With the centennial of the markers right around the corner in 2028, he will give a preview of his upcoming book on the subject.
- Rick Sebak of WQED in Pittsburgh will talk about his Lincoln Highway adventures and roadside attraction features. Thirty years after his landmark documentary, A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway, he has lots of film clips and stories to share about his travels along the Lincoln Highway across Pennsylvania.
Afternoon: Explore Downtown York. Shuttle buses will be available for conference participants to visit the following locations throughout the city.
- Guided walking tour of Royal Square District from Yorktowne Hotel
- York County History Center Museum – USA Today Best New Museum in 2024 – Self guided tour
- William C. Goodridge Freedom Center – Underground Railroad
- Guided tour of the Colonial Courthouse and Gates House
- Visit the historic Friends Meeting House
- Self Guided Tour of Agricultural and Industrial Museum – See recently restored Lee’s Diner and Modernaire Motel neon signs from along the Lincoln Highway
- Tour historic automobile showroom at Susan Byrnes Health Education Center
- Tour Crispus Attuck History and Culture and Center – new in 2025!
- Visit Lincoln Highway themed art exhibit at York College Center for Community Engagement
- Explore York City using the Vision Solutions AR app
- Visit downtown shops for unique gifts
Evening: Special events (extra fee) or explore on your own:
- Special events (extra fee)
  - Wine tasting at Lavender Acres followed by Susquehanna River boat ride on the historic Chief Uncas.
  - Chartered bus tour with craft beer tastings around York.
  - Prohibition Party at King George Speakeasy in York City.
- Additional “On Your Own” Dinner Options Available in York City (Reservations are strongly recommended)
  - Davidson Lobby Bar & Restaurant at The Yorktowne Hotel
  - Hamir’s Indian Fusion (South George Street)
  - Levant Mediterranean Cuisine (South Duke Street)
  - The Iron Horse (Continental Square)
  - The Fig & Barrell Pub (West Market Street)
  - The Handsome Cab (North George Street)
  - Tutoni’s Restaurant (Italian & Wine Bar on North George Street)
  - Rockfish Public House (North George Street)
  - Bloom Kitchen & Bar (North George Street)
  - White Rose Bar & Grill (North Beaver Street)
8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Lifetime Member Private Gathering, Yorktowne Hotel Private Dining Room off Main Lobby
- Lincoln Highway Association Lifetime Members are invited to gather for this free event. The gathering will be hosted for friends to come together and share ideas about the future of the Lincoln Highway. LHA Lifetime Membership is a one time donation of $1,000 to show your on-going support of the work of the Lincoln Highway Association. Sign up at https://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/support/join/

Thursday, June 25

More details here.
Half Day Bus Tour Options. Each LHA conference participant may choose one charter bus tour as part of the conference fee. Select from:
- East York and Wrightsville
  - Bus Guides: Tom Davidson, LHA State Director & Mindy Crawford, Preservation Pennsylvania
  - Haines Shoe House Guided Tour
  - Mifflin House Underground Railroad Tour
  - Lunch at John Wright Restaurant overlooking Susquehanna River
  - Visit Flinchbaugh Orchard & Farm Market
- Downtown Gettysburg Tour
  - Bus Guide: Randy Drais, Civil War historian
  - Downtown Gettysburg guided walking tours
  - Visit Wills House Museum on the Square
  - Buffet lunch at Dobbin House Tavern
  - President Abraham Lincoln re-enactor
  - Time to shop and explore downtown
- Susquehanna Trail & Northern Central Railroad
  - Bus guide: Stephen Smith, Local Historian
  - Train guide: Scott Mingus, Sr., Civil War Historian
  - Train Excursion Ride from New Freedom
  - Visit Hanover Junction
  - Picnic Lunch at Brown’s Orchard & Farm Market
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. A special reception for conference artists, authors and presenters will be held in the Graham Rooftop Bar and Lounge at the Yorktowne Hotel. Since this is a special event it is not included in the conference registration fee. Purchase individual tickets at $75 each on the registration form.
7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. The Lincoln Highway Association Awards Banquet is included with conference registration. The dinner will be held in the Wellspan Ballroom in the Yorktowne Hotel. Additional individual tickets for the event may be purchased for $60 each on the registration form.

Friday, June 26

Individuals may participant in an optional charter bus tour (additional fee/registration) for the day in Philadelphia or presentations at the York College Center for Community Engagement in York, Pennsylvania. More details here.

Explore Philadelphia
- Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation
- Boxed Breakfast & Coffee provided by The Yorktowne Hotel
- Krouse Travel Escorts
- Admission to Museum of the American Revolution (self guided)
- Guided 2-hour walking tour highlighting Independence Hall (exterior), Old City & Congress, and Liberty Bell (interior)
- “Rocky” Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Driver Gratuity and Guide Gratuity
- Lunch on your own at Reading Terminal Market
Presentations at York College Center for Community Engagement – The Road to Independence
- The main entrance is across Market Street from the Yorktowne Hotel. Accessible entrance with elevator is available around the corner along South Duke Street. Ring buzzer at door for entry.
- Lincoln Highway themed art exhibit available for viewing throughout the morning on Friday, June 26, 2026.
- 8 AM to 9 AM Continental Breakfast Available for Participants
- 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM
  - 18th Century – The Great Wagon Road, The Road that Changed America with James Dodson
  - 19th Century – Chasing the Gettysburg Address with Eric Dusenberry
  - 20th Century – The Lincoln Highway Experience and Future Plans of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor – with Kimberly Cady
- 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
  - 18th Century – Camp Security Revolutionary War Prisoner of War Camp with Jonathon Stayer and Ben Werkley
  - 19th Century – Dr. Brian Black – Ike’s Road Trip: How Eisenhower’s 1919 Convoy Paved the Way for the Roads We Travel
  - 20th Century – Cece Otto – An American Songline
- Noon – Conclusion of Conference

Consider extra day suggested itineraries to continue our nation’s 250th anniversary celebration across Pennsylvania. Safe travels home.