Lancaster: Markets, Theatre and Cultural History

Lancaster between Culture and History

Lancaster’s culture can be explored from several perspectives: through the history of a public market, theatre productions, museums and historic sites. When planning your stay, it is helpful to consider what kind of visit you would like to focus on. Lancaster Central Market combines a long market history with a specific location in the city centre; the Fulton Theatre is known for musicals and plays, while museums and Wheatland offer historical, artistic and natural science perspectives. If you are looking for a hotel in Lancaster, the main focus of your stay can help guide your choice: would you like your trip to centre on a performance, a museum visit or historical themes?

Market History and the Stage

Lancaster Central Market was founded in 1730 and is the oldest continuously operating public market in America. It is located in the centre of Lancaster. Its founding year and continuous history of operation give the market a clear historical perspective; at the same time, as a public market, it offers a different focus for a visit than theatres and museums. This makes it easy to include market history in your plans if you would like to explore Lancaster beyond performances and museums.

The Fulton Theatre combines a distinctive building history with stage productions. It was built on the foundations of Lancaster’s pre-Revolutionary prison. Today, the theatre produces musicals and plays featuring outstanding performers and set designers from Broadway, as well as from the national and local communities. When planning your visit, it is important to distinguish between the historic venue and its current programme: if a particular performance is central to your stay, check the performance dates before your trip.

Wheatland: Landmark and Tours

President James Buchanan’s Wheatland is a National Historic Landmark. Tours of Wheatland begin at the LancasterHistory Museum & Research Center; both institutions are located on the same grounds in Lancaster. Wheatland’s educational and public programming also includes monthly Special Subject Tours. Keep the starting point in mind when planning, and check the latest visitor and programme information before your trip if you are planning a tour.

Museums with Different Focuses

The Demuth Museum of Art on King offers a different focus: it is a small museum in a historic row house. Visitors can tour the museum and see special exhibitions. Visitors spend an average of 30 to 45 minutes there per visit. This provides a specific guideline for planning your day around this museum visit. If a particular special exhibition is a deciding factor for you, check the latest visitor information before your trip.

The North Museum of Nature and Science features live animals. This adds a natural science focus to the historical, artistic and theatrical themes. If you are weighing different interests when planning your trip, this focus is distinct from market history, stage productions and the art-related offerings of the Demuth Museum.

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