Pictures tell stories differently than words. Photos stimulate visualization, which triggers the imagination in a way that provides one with a different perspective on reality.

The America250 exhibit at the New Holland Area Historical Society (NHAHS) uses photos to tell the story of the past.

"Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words in that they almost always illicit conversation if there is more than one person looking at them," said Don Horning, a 16-year member of NHAHS who pulled the exhibit together. "Now, they can talk about it. A picture also has the potential to illicit a thousand words."

NHAHS' "America at 250: Photos From the Past" exhibit is currently on display at the organization's museum, which is located at 207 E. Main St., New Holland. NHAHS is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays, the exhibit is free to view, and everyone is welcome.

"Entertainment and knowledge are part of what a museum does," said Horning. "The photos will engage people just because of their age. We've been here for a while."

NHAHS constructed its "America at 250: Photos From the Past" exhibit to commemorate the United States' milestone birthday and to recognize the role that New Holland played in the country's development. The display consists of more than 50 donated photos - some as old as 125 years - that are now part of NHAHS' artifacts collection.

"The artifacts we have are from people who have donated them and want them preserved," said Horning. "We had (the photos) in our artifacts, tracked them down and decided how to use them."

The photos depict past businesses on Main Street in New Holland, trolleys, churches, barns and agricultural implements, as well as images from neighboring communities and townships.

"Every quarter, all the local historical societies get together," said Horning, "and I think it was the feeling of all of them that something should be done, like, 'What are you doing for America250?' Some towns have a larger effort than others.

"Two hundred and fifty years certainly feels like a long time for us in this country," continued Horning. "It feels like a long time to me until I start thinking my parents were born in the (19)20s and my grandparents were born in the late 1800s. All of a sudden, it doesn't seem so long."

Horning donated hours of his time to erect the photo display.

"It is a process and not a happening," said Horning. "You do have to have some inspiration sometimes. I'm not naturally creative. First, you need a theme, and this theme was ready-made. For myself, I was intrigued, and I always think if I'm intrigued maybe some other people (will be) as well."

During its development, eastern Lancaster County faced many of the same challenges and issues that affected neighboring towns and communities. But there were also issues and factors that made the New Holland area unique.

"The difference between ELANCO and some other communities is that we are agriculturally driven," said Horning. "Then we became industrial in a way, and some of those industries still support agriculture. A lot of what was happening was related to agriculture."

For additional information, go to https://nhhistorical.com.