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The Revolutionary War Hospital at Ephrata

  • October 6, 2026 6:30 PM

  • Historic Rock Ford

    881 Rockford Road
    Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602
Ticket Price $5.72-$11.54 Register Now
Description

Historic Rock Ford's Untold Stories of the Revolution Lecture Series welcomes Bradley Smith as he presents “The Revolutionary War Hospital at Ephrata."  In 1732, German pietists established a semi-monastic community that we know today as the Ephrata Cloister, a historic site operated by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Life for this community of pacifists was forever changed when, in December 1777, the Continental Army requisitioned Cloister buildings to establish a military hospital that provided care to nearly 260 soldiers.  In this presentation, Bradley Smith will discuss the intriguing story of Ephrata’s Revolutionary War hospital, with a special emphasis on new discoveries that are expanding our understanding of its history

This presentation will begin at 6:30 PM in the Langmuir Education Room located on the first floor of the Rock Ford Barn. Admission is for the lecture only and does not include the Snyder Gallery or Hand Mansion.  

About the Presenter: Bradley Smith is the Site Administrator at the Historic Ephrata Cloister. Prior to his arrival at Ephrata, he worked for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles with the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.  Bradley also worked for six years with the Berks History Center as a curator, archivist, and assistant director.  An adjunct professor of history for 20 years at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania, he is a frequent speaker for museums, libraries, and historical societies.   He has also taught Pennsylvania Dutch language classes for several organizations.

Date & Time

Tue, Oct 6, 2026 6:30 PM

Venue Details

Historic Rock Ford

881 Rockford Road
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602 Historic Rock Ford
Rock Ford Foundation

Historic Rock Ford is comprised of the circa 1794 General Edward Hand Mansion and the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts. Our historic site is situated on 33 acres of gardens, woods and grounds surrounded by Lancaster County Central Park located in the southeast corner of Lancaster City.  This remarkable estate offers visitors the opportunity to encounter the outstanding original late-Georgian style architecture of the Hand Mansion, to experience its rooms furnished in exquisite period style while, in the Snyder Gallery, to explore a nationally recognized collection of Lancaster County decorative arts dating from circa 1760 to 1820 including furniture, portraiture, long rifles, tall case clocks, silver, and much more. 


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