Historic Rock Ford, 881 Rock Ford Road, Lancaster, will hold several upcoming events.

On Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m., Historic Rock Ford will host Matthew Dodd as he presents "Songs and Stories of the American Revolution."

Dressed in Colonial garb, Dodd will take audiences back in time to the days of the American Colonial settlement and the American Revolution. He will use period songs and stories that put the songs into the context of the time to bring to life the days of 1776. A retired teacher and now a full-time musician, Dodd sings and plays the guitar, banjo, and mandolin.

The presentation will be held in the Langmuir Education Room located on the first floor of the Rock Ford barn. Visitors may park in the area located behind the barn. Prior to the lecture, attendees may visit the Snyder Gallery and the 2026 Focus Exhibit.

On Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m., Kenneth Sensenig will present "The American Revolution and Mennonites: A Crisis of Conscience" as part of Historic Rock Ford's Untold Stories of the Revolution Lecture Series.

In 1777, during the defense of Philadelphia, the peaceful Ephrata Cloister became an unlikely battlefield of conscience as wounded soldiers were brought there for nursing. Sensenig will tell the story of John and Anna Baer, Mennonite pacifists who faced an impossible dilemma: how to care for wounded soldiers whose cause contradicted their deepest beliefs. From political tensions to the tragic involvement of their own son in horse trading with the British, the Baers' story is one of unwavering compassion in the face of suspicion. Though they eventually gave their lives to the typhus epidemic while nursing the wounded, their graves remained forgotten for over a century until a chance discovery by a local farmer in 1980 changed everything.

Christa Mylin from Mennonite Life will assist with material artifacts that will be on display at the end of the lecture. There will also be a question-and-answer session.

Sensenig has made a career of education, much of it through the international aid agency known as the Mennonite Central Committee. His perspectives have been shaped by years in Africa as well as by teaching in area schools. Sensenig displays a keen interest in local history and shares this interest in nearby retirement communities. Storytelling activities and projects on his little farm near Akron occupy significant portions of his early retirement time.

This presentation will take place in the Langmuir Education Room. Admission will be for the lecture only and does not include the Snyder Gallery or Hand Mansion.

Historic Rock Ford will present "The Duke's Ball" on Saturday, May 9, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The immersive Regency-era experience is designed to transport guests into the heart of 18th-century high society with visiting nobility Sebastian, the Duke of Broadleigh.

Set within the grounds of the historic estate, the event will feature a game of croquet, opportunities to learn period dances, and a display of Regency-era fashion. The festivities will culminate in a formal ball and will include special guest performers, curated photo opportunities, and Regency-themed surprises.

Regency-inspired costumes or formal attire are highly encouraged.

General admission tickets will include entry to the ball, three complimentary cocktails with non-alcoholic options available, and a selection of heavy hors d'oeuvres. A limited number of VIP tickets will be available and will include all general admission perks plus an exclusive VIP cocktail experience before the main event. VIP guests will also enjoy private photo opportunities, receive take-home handcrafted silhouettes and watercolor portraits, and be addressed as "Lord" or "Lady" throughout the evening.

A cash bar will be available later in the evening. In addition, a limited number of silhouettes and watercolor portraits will be available for purchase by general admission guests.

Tickets for all events may be purchased at http://www.historicrockford.org/special-events.