Zion Hill Cemetery - Columbia, Pa

05/19/2026

Just completed our yearly cemetery refresh. Thank you to whoever thoughtfully replaced the flags throughout the cemetery. Small acts like this help honor and remember those who came before us and ensure their legacy is never forgotten.

05/19/2026

Underground Railroad History being preserved in Columbia.
The National Park Service has recognized the historic Wright Home in Columbia, Pennsylvania with designation as a site on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. This important recognition is the result of the dedicated research and hard work of Lancaster historian Randolph Harris and others committed to preserving and sharing this history.
Mark Stewart, current owner of the home and Secretary of the Underground Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, continues to steward and interpret this important site for future generations.
The Wright Home stands as a powerful reminder of Columbia’s significant role in the Underground Railroad and the ongoing efforts to preserve these stories of courage, resistance, and freedom. Click the picture below to see an interview of Mark Stewart and Dr Leroy Hopkins, President of The Underground Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

The house operated as a safehouse for people escaping slavery for more than 40 years.

05/08/2026

03/03/2026

Born February 1, 1854 Annie (Rockaway) Alexander was the daughter of William Rockaway and Catherine Wilson. She was a life long member of Mt Zion AME Church. She married Jared Alexander in 1881 and together they raised five children: Mary, William, James, Ella and Jerry. Annie passed away on July 9 1925 at the Lancaster County Hospital.

01/14/2026

📍 This Sunday | January 18, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM
📌 Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology – Grisom Education Center
📍 1100 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Join us for our Monthly Meeting!

Mount Pisgah Cemetery – An African American Cemetery in Wrightsville

Presented by Tina Charles, Becky Anstine, and Maxine Cook, this program explores the rich and often overlooked history of Mount Pisgah Cemetery.

We’ll explore:
• When and why Mount Pisgah was formed
• Why there are so many Lancaster County connections
• Who the oldest person buried in the cemetery is
• And the remarkable story of a woman who helped freedom seekers, fought Native Americans, knew General Custer, and was in Wrightsville when the Confederates attacked the town

✨ Come learn the answers this Sunday and help us honor these powerful stories and legacies. All are welcome.

01/13/2026

We invite you to be part of this historic reading. Save the date, and contact Bernice if you would like to participate.

01/10/2026

Charles and Henry Watson were born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, to Ceasar and Phoebe Watson. Their father, Ceasar, had been enslaved by Dr. John Houston in Columbia. After gaining his freedom, Ceasar traveled to Franklin County, Pennsylvania where he established his family. He and Phoebe had nine children, and sometime between 1830 and 1840, the family relocated to Columbia.
Both Charles and Henry served during the Civil War with the United States Colored Troops, 32nd Regiment. Charles enlisted in Company I, while Henry served in Company H. The brothers fought together at the Battle of Honey Hill. Henry was wounded during the engagement and later died on December 16, 1884, in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Charles returned to Columbia, where he lived until his death on April 30, 1883. He was married twice—first to Rebecca Johnson and later to Sarah Pleasants—and was the father of seven children. Charles was initially buried in the “Colored Cemetery” at Mount Bethel; his remains were later reinterred at Zion Hill Cemetery.

12/14/2025

Today we honored our military by placing wreaths at each headstones and cenotaph.

Zion Hill Cemetery would like to thank Nina Evans, Lancaster County Young Marines and Boy Scout Troops 37, 39, 64 and 125 for all the work they do throughout the year in order to make Wreaths Across America a special day.

11/13/2025

🎄✨ The 2025 Annual Festival of Trees is coming to the William C Goodridge Freedom Center & Underground Railroad Museum! Join us for the Exhibit Opening on First Friday, December 5th from 4PM–8PM, and experience the magic of holiday creativity surrounded by history and culture. Celebrate York’s holiday spirit while honoring the legacy of William C Goodridge—entrepreneur, abolitionist, and community leader.

📍 Location: 123 E. Philadelphia St., York, PA
🗓️ Additional Exhibit Dates: Dec. 6, 10, 13, 17, & 20 | 11AM–4PM
🎁 Tours do not need to be scheduled.

11/11/2025

Today, Veteran's Day, we honor all that served. Zion Hill Cemetery has 3 actual burials of soldiers , several reinterred soldiers from Columbia's original Potters Field and several cenotaphs. These brave men served in the Civil War and World War I. Join us in honoring Sgt John Wesley Cooper, Sgt Isaac Sweeney, Cpl George Sweeney, Pvt Jared Alexander, Pvt John Anderson, Pvt Franklin Brown, Pvt James Davis, Pvt William Edgerly, Pvt John Edmond, Pvt Charles Elder, Pvt Madison Gibson, Pvt Benjamin Loney, Pvt Robert Loney, Pvt Harvey Makle, Pvt Stephen Miller, Pvt James Moore, Pvt Samuel Pleasant, Pvt George Prosser, Pvt Warner Ryan, Pvt John Turner, Pvt Charles Watson and Pvt John Wesley. Also at the cemetery, with Hometown Hero Banner recognition we honor Sgt James W Loney (a USCT and a Buffalo Soldier) and Mess Sgt Albert Randolph, WWI (a Harlem Hellfighter).