In York County, generational stories of resilience and innovation shape our collective identity. Some of these are well-known and visibly woven into our culture and the built environment that surrounds us today, from the founding of successful businesses and the formation of institutions to the achievements of celebrated figures. Other vital stories—namely those of African American individuals and families—have been unjustly relegated to the footnotes and even physically removed or paved over.
Samantha Dorm is reshaping the narrative, unearthing African American stories, and bringing to light the lives, legacies, and contributions of extraordinary people who helped shape our community, including many within her own family lineage. Her efforts to amplify these lesser-heard voices from the past include the Paved Over Prominence Project™ Walking Tour and cemetery preservation across the county through which Samantha is uncovering a crucial piece of our shared history that’s long been buried—both figuratively and literally.
Her work reminds us that York County’s culture is more than colorful murals or museum exhibits—it’s the stories, struggles, and triumphs of the people who came before us. It also captures our #CultureHappensHere spirit in so many ways.
We recently checked in with Samantha to see what she’s currently working on and excited about in the ongoing effort to share and promote York’s African American heritage, including some locally sourced and groundbreaking augmented reality tech that allows users to be interactively immersed in the hidden history around us—right from the phones in their pockets.
This Isn’t Just Cultural Preservation. It’s a Mission to Tell African American Stories.
As a lifelong supporter of the arts and culture locally, Samantha has always been connected to York’s cultural landscape. Her family’s roots in York run deep (as illuminated in a recent Downtown York PA magazine profile), and she credits her mother and other influential family members for ensuring that she had access to myriad arts and performance experiences growing up. For example, she often had the opportunity to travel to New York City and Philadelphia for shows and participated in community cultural groups, like a youth advisory panel at the Strand Theatre (part of what’s now known as the Appell Center for the Performing Arts) here at home.
It was also a family connection that ignited her passion for historic preservation in 2019. She relates that during a graveside funeral service for her great aunt, educator Marilee Keenheel Jones, Samantha looked around and realized the landmark Lebanon Cemetery, an African American burial ground in North York Borough, could use some care. This historic and hallowed ground was established in 1872 and holds the final resting places of Civil War veterans, educators, Underground Railroad conductors, and other key figures whose stories enrich York’s history. Unfortunately, it is threatened by the natural degradation of time, worsening weather impacts, and encroachment from development.
A month after her great aunt’s funeral, Samantha found herself physically rolling up her sleeves to do gravesite cleanup alongside a few fellow volunteers and ultimately launching a movement. The Friends of Lebanon Cemetery (FoLC) nonprofit group was officially organized later that year and has grown to advocate for other African American cemeteries throughout York County, provide walking tours, and continue to lovingly care for Lebanon Cemetery—all in service to sharing stories of those who have gone before.
Samantha shares that through hands-on restoration efforts, FoLC has carefully excavated, cleaned, and reset over 800 grave markers and utilized tools like ground-penetrating radar to map and document the site. However, the group’s work extends far beyond the physical. For Samantha, this isn’t just about cleaning headstones; it’s about uncovering stories and connecting them to the present.
“Most people don’t come out just because of preservation,” she explains. “They come because of the stories—stories that connect them to their ancestors, their community, and their history.”
Introducing Greater Context into the Cultural Preservation Conversation
Samantha’s storytelling work has grown outward from her preservation efforts at Lebanon Cemetery into all corners of York City and beyond. And her influence is significant, having been profiled in numerous publications and by media outlets regionally and nationally. A lifelong advocate for cultural inclusion and current board member of the York County History Center, she challenges York’s artistic and cultural institutions to consider the stories behind the spaces they occupy in the present day and find new ways to spotlight those stories moving forward.
For instance, in reflecting on the vibrant murals of the Royal Square District, she asks a compelling question: “Would the vision of the artists have been different if they had known the rich African American history of the neighborhood they were painting in?”
This thought-provoking perspective has fueled conversations about how public art can honor history while fostering inclusivity. For Samantha, it’s not about erasing art but adding depth and context, ensuring that cultural spaces reflect the communities they inhabit. While beautiful, the murals in Royal Square have been created on a canvas steeped in African American heritage—a neighborhood historically home to Black-owned businesses and cultural leaders. By engaging with organizations like ours here at the Cultural Alliance, Samantha has sparked vital conversations about how public art can honor history and foster inclusivity.
“This is about ensuring that cultural spaces reflect the communities they serve,” she says. “Art is powerful, but its impact is amplified when paired with the stories of the people who lived, worked, and thrived there.” Her perspective invites artists and institutions to rethink their approaches, not to rewrite history but to illuminate it for all who encounter their work.
What’s Next? Embracing New Technology to Amplify Stories
Samantha’s mission to preserve African American history is as forward-looking as it is reflective. In collaboration with Explore York and York-based tech company Vision Solutions AR, she has worked to integrate augmented reality (AR) technology into tours of Lebanon Cemetery as part of the larger AR trail project, which allows visitors to use a free app to access immersive experiences, including narrated stories about the cemetery’s notable figures. This technology brings history to life in a way that resonates with all generations, ensuring the lessons of the past remain accessible and engaging.
“This technology bridges generations,” Samantha notes. “It allows us to preserve the physical integrity of the cemetery and other sites while sharing stories in a way that’s modern and interactive.” Looking ahead, Samantha hopes to expand the use of AR technology to even more historical sites across York, reinforcing the region’s rich cultural tapestry. She shares, “York’s history is alive. It’s in the murals, the cemeteries, and the stories of those who came before us. It’s our job to honor it and assure it’s never forgotten.”
Through her efforts, Samantha is preserving history and inspiring others to see York’s cultural heritage as a living, evolving narrative that deserves care and attention. Her message is clear: by understanding our past, we enrich our future.
#CultureHappensHere – Get Inspired and Join the Conversation.
Looking for ways to experience and celebrate our history, heritage, and the stories of our shared connections? Want to volunteer with an organization to promote arts and culture in York County? You’re in the right place.
Check out the York365 event calendar for upcoming performances, events, and so much more! And don’t forget to explore more about some of Samantha Dorm’s favorite local cultural organizations, locations, and experiences:
York County History Center
Friends of Lebanon Cemetery
Paved Over Prominence Walking Tour
Explore York
Visions Solutions AR
