Lancaster Heritage Center Museum

The Lancaster Heritage Center Museum (5 W. King St., 717/299-6440, www.lancasterheritage.com [1], Mon.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., free) is just across the walkways from Central Market [2]. The compact three-story museum is committed to preserving local history with a permanent collection, annual exhibitions, and rotating exhibits.

The 1st floor explains aspects of the Pennsylvania Dutch history and culture in a way that makes it simple to understand, with a few interactive displays for kids. Don’t miss the Masonic Hall ceiling mural on the 2nd floor in a room containing an array of decorative arts and antiques; it was painted in 1933 by G. L. Zambon of Philadelphia [3] and has been restored.

The Heritage Center also operates the nearby Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum (37 Market St., 717/299-6440, Mon.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and first Fridays 5–9 p.m., $6 adult, $4 student, free 17 and under). A collection of Lancaster County Amish quilts from the 18th century to the present makes up the majority of the permanent exhibition.