York City Police Department K-9 Unit.
This is a late 1960s photo of the York City, Pennsylvania Police Department K-9 unit taken at the York Fair grounds. The officers, accompanied by their dogs, are in their training uniforms. The officers are, from left to right: Ron Heist, Earl Frey, Fred Gibson, Steve Gibbs, Charlie Morrow, Bill Farrell, and Nevin Barley.
West York Police Department.
This 1950's era photograph shows three members of the West York Borough, Pennsylvania Police Department and their patrol vehicles, two motorcycles and a Ford patrol car. The officers and their vehicles are on the driveway of the Reliance fire house, then located in the 1400 block of West Market Street in West York Borough.
Officer Ed Myers, Red Lion Police Department.
Pictured in 1924 is Red Lion Police Officer Ed Myers astride his sidecar equipped police Harley Davidson motorcycle. The sidecar was a common accessory for police motorcycles of that era. The officer is carrying a semi-automatic pistol, carried in an open top cross draw style holster. The semi-auto pistol was unusual, as most officers of this era were carrying revolvers.

February 27, 2022 Update

Posted by Webmaster

By the end of 2020, we vacated the location at 20 West King Street. The owners of the property had asked us to leave, as they had other intentions for the space. Fortunately, we had not gotten very far with the work in that space.

Our museum board of directors continues to look for a new location so we can once again share the history of law enforcement.

May 17, 2019 Update

Posted by Webmaster

On May 3, 2019, the Police Heritage Museum participated in Give Local York, a twenty-four hour day of giving to benefit several hundred non-profit organizations in York County.

During our Give Local York campaign, we announced that we have secured space at 20 West King Street in downtown York to establish the new office of the Police Heritage Museum. Although much smaller than our previous home, this space is our current bast option to get reopened to the public.

Our museum volunteers continue to work on the space on West King Street so we can once again share the history of law enforcement.

April 2018 update

Posted by Webmaster

We have found that the facility at 237 West Market Street was unable to meet our needs as a museum site. We have since moved the entire collection to an off-site storage facility, while we continue to work on securing a home for the Police Heritage Museum. Rest assured, we are not going away. This is merely another stumbling block on the road to the future. There are still things in the works, so keep checking in here or follow us on Facebook for any updates.

April 2016 update

Posted by Webmaster

The museum's collection and fixtures have all been moved to 237 West Market Street, where they are protected by fire and burglar alarm systems, and are in an environmentally controlled area. We will continue to work over the next several months to ready the space to be used as a museum. We are no where near ready to open to the public. When we are completed, approved and ready to open, we will make an announcement. The actual footprint is smaller than our previous home, so adjustments will need to be made. The number of items on display will need to be reduced, so more items will remain in storage.

How You Can Help

Now, more than ever, we need support from our friends. We are now renting space, which will place a larger financial burden on the musuem. The new space comes with heat, air conditioning and bathrooms, which means added utility costs. So for those that are able to help financially, now is the time to do so. The Police Heritage Museum is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, and contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

In addition, preparing the new location will be quite labor intensive. We are in great need of volunteers with strong backs to assist with preparing the space and arranging the fixtures, stocking the display cases, etc. If you are interested in volunteering at the museum, please contact us.

We will continue to provide updates as work progresses.

December 31, 2015 update

Posted by Webmaster

It is now December 31st, and we have removed all of the collection and fixtures from 54 West Market Street. We no longer occupy the space that has served us so well all of these years.

So, what's next?

The museum's collection and fixtures have all been moved to a safe location, where they are protected by fire and burglar alarm systems, and are in an environmentally controlled area. The museum has acquired a temporary home for the museum. We will need to work over the next several months to ready the space to be used as a museum. The actual footprint is smaller than our previous home, so adjustments will need to be made. The board of directors will make an announcement once the new space is better prepared for the public.

What is happening with the Police Heritage Museum?

Posted by Webmaster

Probably the most common question we are encountering at the museum is what is happening with the museum, and the building.

First, and foremost, the Police Heritage Museum is not closing. We are not going out of business.

When the Police Heritage Museum acquired the property at 54 West Market Street, our goal was to replace a vacant downtown storefront with a history museum that would educate the public about the history of law enforcement, crime and punishment. We originally leased the building, and made extensive renovations to the interior of the building in order to open the doors. After a few years, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of the building, and after purchasing the building replaced the aging roof system to provide better protection to the artifacts contained within it. The Police Heritage Museum was able to revitalize one vacant downtown building.

Immediately to the east of our building, sits the former Woolworth's store, which for years has been vacant and the subject of many potential redevelopment plans, none of which ever came to fruition. Immediately to the west of our building, is a former jewelry store which went out of business in January of 2007. Weinbrom Jewelers were great neighbors, and their closing was a loss to the neighborhood.

Several years ago, we were made aware that developers were once again looking at the Woolworth's building, as well as the Weinbrom building, as potential redevelopment projects. The Board of Directors were approached about the availability of our building should a developer wish to purchase it for a larger redevelopment project. The Board of Directors have listened to several proposals, some of which were unrealistic. And then, we were approached by representatives from the Royal Square Development group, who were looking to renovate all three buildings on West Market Street. They were very open with what they were looking to do, and provided us with several options.

The Police Heritage Museum believes in downtown York, which is why we located there and invested in the building at 54 West Market Street. We wanted to be a part in downtown's revitalization, and we did our part by occupying one vacant storefront. We did that on a modest budget with an all volunteer staff. We have no paid employees. Every cent we raise goes to the museum's goals.

So, the Board of Directors decided to once again be a part of the revitalization of downtown York, and opted to sell the building at 54 West Market Street to the group that will be redeveloping West Market Street. We remain in the building as tenants through the end of the year, at which time we must move out so construction work can begin. So 2015 will be the end of the Polcie Heritage Museum at 54 West Market Street.

Where is the Police Heritage Museum moving?

The Board of Directors continues to work on finding a new home for the museum. Finding the right location with the budget we have is a difficult process. The Board of Directors will make an announcement once a decision is made and details are finalized.

When is the Police Heritage Museum closing?

The museum is typically open through the end of October, and then open for special events only until the next April. Museum volunteers have been busy preparing for our move, by packing the large number of artifacts that are in our storage area in the back of the museum. As this work continues, we need to start the process with the artifacts and fixtures that are on display in the main gallery in the front of the building.

As a result, the museum's last day to be open for tours will be Saturday, October 3, 2015. After that, we will be closed to continue to prepare for our move. We apologize if this inconveniences anyone.

Where can I find information on the Police Heritage Museum's move?

The Board of Directors will strive to keep the public and our members up to date on our relocation. You can follow us on Facebook, where any information will be posted. Or, you can check back on our web site here for additional information as it becomes available.

The Police Heritage Museum, Inc.

Address: P.O. Box 1582
  York, PA 17405
Phone: (717) 845-COPS
E-mail: Contact Form

About Us

The Police Heritage Museum, Inc. is entirely run by volunteers - there is no paid staff working for the museum.

We ask for your patience when contacting the Police Heritage Museum, as there is no full-time staff to immediately respond to any inquiries.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Police Heritage Museum, Inc. does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.

The Police Heritage Museum, Inc. is an equal opportunity organization. It shall not discriminate in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination from its Board of Directors, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and providing of services.

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