AREA HISTORY:  Franklin Lyceum, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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THE FRANKLIN LYCEUM – Page 571

Among the memorable institutions of York was the Franklin Lyceum, originally the Franklin 
Debating Society, a literary association for “mutual improvement,” by means of debates, essays 
and lectures, which held its meetings on the third floor of the York County Academy building.  
This hall was the public lecture room of York at that time, when a church edifice was not used 
for that purpose.  Many of the young men of that day, pupils of the academy and others, derived 
great benefit from its teachings and discussions.  It was formed in December, 1839, and 
continued in active operation until 1845.  In the State House, that stood in the Centre Square, 
which was torn down with the old court house, in 1841, was the York County Library, a large 
collection of standard works, which was removed to the room occupied by the Franklin Lyceum.  
But, in course of time, for want of any library organization, the books were carried off, and 
no doubt grace many private libraries.  Efforts were made from time to time to have this 
library restored, the members of the Lyceum advertising for the missing books, but without 
success.  Among the members of this association, now deceased, were G. Christopher Stair, David 
F. William, D. Spangler Wagner, Joseph Garretson, Charles M. Smyser, William Sayres, David E. 
Small and Erastus H. Weiser.  Among the living, who were members, are Daniel Kirkwood (the 
great astronomer), Rev. Augustus C. Wedikind, D. D.; Rev. John Fritz; Commander William Gibson, 
United States navy; Gen. H. Gates Gibson, United States army; Thomas Franklin, civil engineer; 
W. Henry Welsh, formerly State senator for York County and speaker of the senate, and Henry J. 
Stahle, editor of the Gettysburg Compiler.  After the dissolution of the Lyceum, in 1845, there 
was formed the Franklin Literary Association, with the same object.  This was composed of the 
younger fry and continued in existence until 1848.  The Franklin Lyceum was subsequently 
reorganized in 1849, and continued for several years.