Conservation Society of York County

07/27/2026

"Conservation News of the Past".
For more than fifty years our parent organization, the Conservation Society of York County, published a newsletter, Conservation News.
From time to time we'll be featuring posts from vintage issues. Today's post, from the Winter/Spring 1956 issue, is about Mt. Johnson Island, the world's first Bald Eagle sanctuary. Located on the Susquehanna between the Holtwood and Conowingo Dams, the island was declared a sanctuary by the National Audubon Society in 1935. Herbert Beck, author of the article, was in 1956 its official custodian. After describing the island, its designation, and its occupants, and its occupants' demise, Mr. Beck laments his role, saying that, "by 2050 people will have to look on the backs of dollar bills to see a Bald Eagle, the figure of a mythical bird, which like the Dodo, is gone."
Those of us who frequent the river happily recognize the Bald Eagles' success story. Eagles flying above Indian steps Museum are now a common sight!

07/13/2026

Join us on Sept. 26th & 27th for the 44th Annual Native American Festival at Indian Steps Museum.

04/30/2026

Reminder that Give Local York starts today, Thursday at 7PM and ends Friday at 7PM.
Go to link: https://www.givelocalyork.org

04/29/2026

Please donate to Indian Steps Museum during the Give Local York 2026 campaign. Indian Steps Museum is owned and operated by the Conservation Society of York County.
We rely on contributions from people like you to survive.
Please give generously
Go to https://www.givelocalyork.org

04/28/2026

04/28/2026

Indian Steps Museum is owned and operated by the Conservation Society of York County.
We have expanded our museum hours to:
Friday through Monday from 11AM to 4PM.

04/26/2026

For more than eighty years, Indian Steps Museum has been a place of friendship between people of all nations and colors. The museum is an iconic presence in York County. Thousands of York Countians share fond memories of their first visit to the museum on an elementary school field trip. Thousands more share memories of its Fall Native American Festival, first held in 1983 and continuing on to this day. Indian Steps isn’t operated by the County or State. It’s owned and managed by the Conservation Society of York County, and it relies on contributions from people like you to survive.

Please Donate to:

Our big day of giving goes live at 7 PM on Thursday, April 30. You can take the time today to look through our participating nonprofits to find your favorite cause and plan your giving. By donating during the event, you're helping your favorite organization win extra prizes and funds!

04/25/2026

We are proud to introduce the new Director of Indian Steps Museum, Paul Nevin. Nevin will serve a dual role as museum director and Executive Director of the Conservation Society of York County, owners of Indian Steps Museum, Ulmer-Root-Haines Memorial Park, Bonham Wake Robin Wildlife Sanctuary, and Wills One-room Schoolhouse.

A seventh generation York County native, Nevin previously served as Director of the Zimmerman Center for Heritage at Long Level. He is also well-known for his research and education efforts for the Safe Harbor Petroglyphs, located a few miles up-river from Indian Steps. “I first visited Indian Steps on a second-grade field trip. I still have the notebook I made, including a drawing of the totem pole that stands outside the museum”, Nevin muses. “As a grand “old lady”, the museum, as well as the other structures and the grounds need a lot of tender loving care. As much as we love it, we need support to care for it. I want to carry John Vandersloot’s vision of a lasting memorial to this area’s Native American legacy into the future and return his Indian Steps Cabin to its former glory.”

We invite you to meet Paul this Saturday during our Opening Day festivities.

04/23/2026

The Circle Legacy Center (CLC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering Native Americans. Through a variety of cultural events and community projects,
We invite you to explore the rich cultural traditions of Native Americans by visiting us at Opening Day of Indian Steps Museum on April 25th, Saturday from 11-4.
Offering a native food sampling of the following:

Circle Legacy Center at
Indian Steps Museum Opening Day
Indigenous Food Tasting Menu:
Venison, Sunchoke & Onion Casserole
Baked Beans
Pumpkin Mash
Squash Bread
Indigenous Fruits & Salads
Assorted Indigenous Teas (Hibiscus, Strawberry, Sassafras)

04/22/2026

The Valley Forge Black Pots invite you to a "taste of the past" during Opening Day April 25th, Saturday 11-4 at Indian Steps Museum. Stop in for Dutch Oven Cooking 101 demos to see firsthand how to get started cooking outdoors using charcoal and cast-iron camp ovens. Mingle with our cooks to get their tips and a tasty sample of what's in our pots! Please join us! (Rain or Shine)