Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy — Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy
The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy, a new history museum in an adaptive reuse of Stevens' law office/home and the former Kleiss Tavern in Lancaster, PA, opened May 1–2, 2026; exhibit design by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, architecture by Centerbrook Architects, fabrication by Art Guild, Inc., accessibility consulting by Prime Access Consulting.
| Venue | Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy |
|---|---|
| Project type | New Building |
| Status | Completed |
| Year completed | 2026 |
| Technologies | tactile QR codes |
Credits
| Firm | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ralph Appelbaum Associates | Exhibit Design | |
| centerbrook-architects | Architecture | Restoration and new construction |
| Art Guild, Inc. | Fabrication | |
| Prime Access Consulting | Accessibility / Inclusive Design Consulting | Ramps, font sizes, tactile QR codes, and Braille lettering |
Sources
- https://visitlancastercity.com/blog/hope-courage-and-perseverance-the-thaddeus-stevens-lydia-hamilton-smith-center-for-history-and-democracy-debuts-in-may-2026/
- https://lancasteronline.com/
- https://oneunitedlancaster.com/nonprofits/progress-update-on-stevens-smith-history-center/
- https://raai.com/project/thaddeus-stevens-and-lydia-hamilton-smith-center-for-history-and-democracy/