Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville townlively.com
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Bringing history to life in Columbia
BY CAT SHANNON
BY CAT SHANNON
the museum will start on Friday, Feb. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. The festivities will continue on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16, from 1 to 4 p.m., and on Monday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday’s events will have a special focus for young artists and historians who will be on Presidents Day break, with creative activities to complement that tour. “This exhibit is a completely u n iq ue t a ke on lo c a l h i s tory,” shared Jeremy Young, See Museum pg 4
Stephen Smith
McAllister noted that Mt. Zion holds the deed for the Stephen Smith CDMC. “ We are ver y proud to be able to open this historic building not only to honor
“Together, we can create a positive, safe and compassionate space for our children, youth and seniors.” Stephen Smith but also to benefit the Borough of Columbia and surrounding areas,” she said. Despite owning the building, the church needs help to make the center a reality. In August, it received a $200,000 grant from the L ancaster County
Redevelopment Authority, and the funds will be used to secure the building and begin complete rehabilitation. “This historic building, though structurally sound, is in disrepair and needs total renovation,” McAllister said. “It will take at least one to two years to secure the building and another two years, at least, to fully rehabilitate it before it is opened.” McAllister envisions The Stephen Smith CDMC as a neighborhood hub for people from Columbia and surrounding areas. “The purpose of The Stephen Smith Community Development and Multicultural Center is to provide programs that will address the immediate needs in the community,” she said. Plans include after-school programs with a focus on tutoring,
Art depicting scenes from the area will be displayed in the museum’s newest exhibit.
NeurAbilities supports those with autism BY JEFF FALK
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects how some people conduct themselves, gain knowledge, speak and listen and relate to others. It’s a disorder that we continue to learn about and one that might be more prevalent than first realized. NeurAbilities Healthcare of Lancaster approaches autism from both clinical and behavioral perspectives. Two of the
See History pg 3
organization’s main goals are to enhance the lives of people and families affected by the disorder and to integrate those individuals into society. “People are often coming to us because they are struggling to support their family members,” said Adriana Neumann, NeurAbilities’ senior director for applied behavior analysis clinical services. “There’s something they’re struggling to manage. They want their child to learn, to make progress, to navigate the world. Every family is different. See Autism pg 8
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Museum will reopen with new exhibit For the past two months, Historic Wrightsville Inc.’s museum has been temporarily closed. Inside the space, located at 309 Locust St., Wrightsville, big changes have been taking place, and now you’re invited inside. A new exhibit, “Art and History: A Perfect Pairing,” will debut this month, featuring some of Wrightsville’s artists and art related to Wrightsville. A grand opening weekend for
T
he Rev. Stephen Smith may not be a household name, but the Rev. Dr. Patricia S. McAllister believes that will soon change. McAllister, who is the pastor of Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church at 222 S. Fifth St., Columbia, is working on bringing The Stephen Smith Community Development and Multicultural Center (CDMC) to life. Born a slave, Smith bought his freedom and became an influential philanthropist, preacher, businessman and abolitionist. “Smith was brought to Columbia from Dauphin County at the age of 5 years old and was sold to Thomas Boude, who owned a lumber yard in Columbia,” McAllister shared. “He learned about the lumber business from Thomas Boude, and when he became old enough, he purchased his freedom for $50. He would later become the owner of the lumber business.” As Smith gained financial leverage, he became a major figure in the Underground Railroad. “In the early 1830s, he was ordained in the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbia,” McAllister said, explaining that the building that will house The Stephen Smith CDMC, located next door to Mt. Zion AME at 230 S. Fifth St., was built first as a church because the previous church was destroyed by fire. “Later, it became the first school in Columbia for African American children. Then, it was retrieved by a member of Mt. Zion, Mrs. Ada Johnson, from the Columbia School District and used as the American Legion for Negro Soldiers.”
VOL LXV • NO 50