A New Chapter in Lancaster’s History
W
hen many people think of Lancaster City, they think of a quaint little city in the middle of Pennsylvania Dutch country. If they grew up within 50 miles of Route 30, they probably think of the outlets, the smorgasbords, and family-friendly entertainment to be found at the local theatres. They might not consider the African American contribution to the culture and history of the city we see today. Dr. Leroy Hopkins, Lancaster resident and local historian traced his African American ancestry back to the 1700s. Now he is devoting his time to telling the stories left out of the history books. One of the best parts about speaking with Professor Hopkins is the lack of pretension in his manner. The retired German Professor and former President of the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania can quote a famous British historian and a nursery rhyme in the same conversation. He is an intellectual with an expansive vocabulary, which one would expect from a retired language professor, but he also has a dry wit and engaging demeanor that invites conversation. Professor Hopkins was born in 1942 in what is now Lancaster’s Southeast, and his memory is firmly rooted in geography. Although he has pleasant recollections of walking familiar streets, 46
Sarah McCall Peaco (Leroy’s maternal great-grandmother)F
E Elizabeth Warner Stumpf (Leroy’s maternal great-grandmother)
I did not have my mother’s courage then, but I have acquired a modicum of it over time.” buying penny candy, going to work, or seeing old flicks at the Hamilton, he also has memories of the places he couldn’t go. “I was aware that for me there were two areas: ‘The Ward’ and ‘The Hill’... ‘The Hill’ was forbidden territory for people who looked like me... From its inception until well into my early adult life, Lancaster [was] a segregated society.”