Mount Gretna Historical Society joins Lebanon Valley wooden token history trail

The Mount Gretna Historical Society is one of the stops on Lebanon County’s wooden token trail, where visitors can collect the pretzel token. While the site does not open until Memorial Day weekend, the token is also available at a few other locations. Regardless, the historical society offers visitors a chance to explore some of Mount Gretna’s most fascinating stories.A look at Mount Gretna’s pastOne of the highlights at the historical society is an organ dating back to 1926. Ralph Zimmerman said the organ was once part of the carousel at Gretna Park, one of two amusement parks that once made Mount Gretna a destination that rivaled Hersheypark.Zimmerman said Mount Gretna also once had three hotels and a narrow-gauge railroad that transported both National Guard members and visitors around town.Military and community historyFor 50 years, the Pennsylvania National Guard called Mount Gretna home before relocating to Indiantown Gap. That history remains an important part of the community’s identity and is one of the many stories visitors can learn about at the site.Why the society joined the trailZimmerman said the Mount Gretna Historical Society wanted to be part of the wooden token trail to support Lebanon County’s participation in America’s 250th anniversary celebration. He also noted that the local Chautauqua community recently marked 125 years of history, adding another layer of significance to the site.For visitors interested in local history, the Mount Gretna Historical Society offers much more than a token stop — it provides a deeper look at the people, places and attractions that shaped the area.

MOUNT GRETNA, Pa. —

The Mount Gretna Historical Society is one of the stops on Lebanon County’s wooden token trail, where visitors can collect the pretzel token.

While the site does not open until Memorial Day weekend, the token is also available at a few other locations.

Regardless, the historical society offers visitors a chance to explore some of Mount Gretna’s most fascinating stories.

A look at Mount Gretna’s pastOne of the highlights at the historical society is an organ dating back to 1926. Ralph Zimmerman said the organ was once part of the carousel at Gretna Park, one of two amusement parks that once made Mount Gretna a destination that rivaled Hersheypark.Zimmerman said Mount Gretna also once had three hotels and a narrow-gauge railroad that transported both National Guard members and visitors around town.Military and community history

For 50 years, the Pennsylvania National Guard called Mount Gretna home before relocating to Indiantown Gap.

That history remains an important part of the community’s identity and is one of the many stories visitors can learn about at the site.

Why the society joined the trail

Zimmerman said the Mount Gretna Historical Society wanted to be part of the wooden token trail to support Lebanon County’s participation in America’s 250th anniversary celebration. He also noted that the local Chautauqua community recently marked 125 years of history, adding another layer of significance to the site.

For visitors interested in local history, the Mount Gretna Historical Society offers much more than a token stop — it provides a deeper look at the people, places and attractions that shaped the area.