As the country marks its semiquincentennial this year, the Winters Heritage House Museum is taking an active role in the celebration. The museum, located at 47 E. High St., Elizabethtown, is a nonprofit affiliate of America250PA, explained director Teresa St. Angelo, and it will host a speaker series, a unique walking tour and more this spring.

"America250PA is a valuable opportunity to join museums and other historical sites across Pennsylvania to promote the history of our nation in a variety of ways that engage people from all communities," St. Angelo explained. "As a result of being a nonprofit affiliate, we can follow and share with our community the programs and events that are being held across Pennsylvania to celebrate this momentous occasion. We can also share our programs, exhibits and events as we welcome not only the local community but folks from across our nation to join us for fun and informative events."

The museum's speaker series, called "A Spot of Tea and History," kicked off in April and will run on Wednesday afternoons through July 1. Programs will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the H.U. Coble House, an 1877 Victorian home located at 33 E. High St., Elizabethtown.

Each week will feature a different speaker presenting engaging and informative topics spanning 250 years of American history. Programs will explore Pennsylvania's early beginnings, cultural influences and significant historical events.

"We are so excited about the variety of speakers, from Philadelphia to Gettysburg to local educators, and the array of historical topics we have been able to give to the community," St. Angelo said. "This series offers a unique opportunity for the community to connect with the stories, people and events that shaped Pennsylvania and the nation. We invite everyone to join us for an engaging and enlightening experience in a welcoming historic setting."

Featured presentations include the life and legacy of Thaddeus Stevens by re-enactor and president of the Thaddeus Stevens Society in Gettysburg, Ross Hetrick. He will speak at 1 and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, portraying Stevens and his fight for freedom and equality.

Talks on Wednesday, May 13, and Wednesday, June 10, will feature Nelson Polite, president of the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, May 27, Debbie Saylor, the curator of the Blue Rock Heritage Center, will discuss "What the Ancient Ones Left Behind." On Wednesday, June 3, Roy E. Goodman will present "The All-Encompassing Benjamin Franklin," and on Wednesday, June 17, author Michael Harris will present "Forts Mercer and Mifflin, the Battle of Whitemarsh and the Road to Valley Forge." On Wednesday, June 24, Elizabethtown mayor Phil Clark will discuss "Life in Elizabethtown," and the series will wrap up on Wednesday, July 1, with a presentation by St. Angelo on "From Valley Forge to the Battle of Monmouth, the March From Suffering to Strength."

America250PA festivities will also feature an Architectural Walking Tour, presented by the museum's history preservation specialist Caitlin Obetz. Tours will begin at 3 p.m. and will run on Saturdays through May 30. Reservations are required for the tours.

"Dr. Caitlin Obetz has developed an informative, fun walking tour, mixing historical facts with architectural features that make Elizabethtown the beloved town it is," St. Angelo remarked. "The tour lasts approximately one hour and covers a half mile. Participants will start at the Winters Heritage House Museum, walk the route and finish at the H.U. Coble House, where they can enjoy original photographs of Elizabethtown architecture, the 'Elizabethtown Road to Liberty' exhibit and refreshments on the porch."

She encouraged people to sign up for the walking tour, adding, "If you want to hear the story behind Elizabethtown, you will learn to read the signs in the carvings and design details in the buildings and structures. You will see the history in the stone, steel and glass."

Additional events to celebrate America250PA include a History Trivia Luncheon with the Elizabethtown Historical Society on Sunday, June 28, at 2 p.m.

"Celebrating 250 years of American independence allows the Winters Heritage House Museum an exciting opportunity to showcase their two original 1760s log cabins," St. Angelo said. "We get the chance to unveil the role that Elizabethtown taverns, churches and families played in the fight for independence, and we get to bring the story of the people, places and events from the original 13 colonies behind the birth of this nation to our community in fun and engaging ways."

She said she's especially excited to invite people in for the America250PA activities.

"Making history come alive through the programs, exhibits and events is something I love to do," she said. "Sharing the stories of our founding fathers, the spies, the battles, the hardships, as well as the good times, with our community is something I find both meaningful and rewarding."

More event details, the full speaker lineup and event registration may be found at http://www.wintersheritagehouse.org.