The Columbia Historic Preservation Society works to protect and promote the rich history of Columbia, and you can help support the organization's mission by attending events happening this month. Columbia Railroad Day will be held on Saturday, June 10, and a Juneteenth Dinner will be held on Saturday, June 17, followed by a presentation at Zion Hill Cemetery on Sunday, June 18.

"We are going to have events at three different locations during Railroad Day," said Chris Vera, president of the Historic Preservation Society. "You'll be able to hop on the trolley and go to each place." Events will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., two Civil War re-enactment units will be demonstrating, along with a World War II transportation group. Lectures on the railroad's importance in Columbia will also be offered. People can ride the trolley to Columbia Historic Preservation Society, 21 N. Second St., where visitors can take in a 2,500-square-foot model railroad display upstairs and check out a smaller display on the ground floor. Next, people can travel by trolley to the Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., where a variety of nonprofits and railroad organizations will have displays. "You'll also be able to get something to eat at the Market House," Vera said, noting that a variety of food vendors offer international cuisine.

The Juneteenth Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. on June 24 at the Columbia Market House and will feature a speaker talking about the Zion Hill Cemetery in town, where African American veterans and other residents of the Tow Hill neighborhood are buried. "We are also going to have Nelson Polite Jr. as our special speaker, and he'll be giving a talk about African American history," Vera said, adding that Polite is the president of the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania. A meal will be served by South Lime restaurant, located in the market house. "They're going to be preparing food from West Africa," Vera noted.

Proceeds from the Railroad Day and the dinner will benefit ongoing restoration work at Zion Hill Cemetery. "I have just had eight interpretative panels made, and they are going to tell people about the Tow Hill people who are buried at the cemetery," Vera shared. The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the cemetery, 553 N. Fifth St. "We'll be talking about what our future plans are as well as unveiling the panels and a memorial wall," he remarked. "The wall is going to be made using floor bricks from the Market House."

Vera encourages everyone to come to the events and help support the Columbia Historic Preservation Society. "You can learn all about the history of Columbia and get out and enjoy a relaxing day in town," he stated. "It's a great opportunity to learn about African-American history and railroad history in Columbia."

To make a reservation for the dinner, call 717-572-7149. For more information, follow the Columbia Historic Preservation Society or Zion Hill Cemetery on Facebook.