Topped with a historic slate roof

For more than four months this past autumn, ground-to-roof scaffolding lined the streets surrounding Market, and its beautiful rafters were hidden beneath protective plastic – all in the name of historic restoration.

A dedicated roofing team spent countless hours tearing off worn asphalt and installing fresh slate tiles, returning the roof atop Lancaster Central Market to its original 1889 glory. Its completion marks the end of a journey that began in 2016, when the Central Market Trust kicked off a community campaign to gather funds to Raise the Roof.

To celebrate this new chapter here at Market, we are excited to share with you a bird’s-eye view of one of the coolest roofs you may ever see – or at least we think so. Enjoy!

Aerial photos are courtesy of Midstate Roofing and Real Estate Exposures.

This project would not have been possible without the immense generosity of every single person and organization who supported the Raise the Roof campaign. From the bottom of our Market-loving hearts, thank you. Thank you for helping to ensure Market continues to thrive for the next 100 years as a place where people gather and celebrate the essence of Lancaster.

Browse Additional Blog Posts

Lancaster Central Market Launches After Market Program

Lancaster Central Market Launches After Market Program

Designed to ensure nutritious food ends up on local tables, not in landfills, Market Standholders offer free goods that will expire before the next Market day. The After Market program is a revised iteration of a previous food donation program from Central Market...

Slow Cooker Season – Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

Slow Cooker Season – Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1 pinch of salt 1/2 cup of butter (cut into pieces) 1 cup of chopped walnuts 1/3 cup of white sugar 1 tbsp of cornstarch 1/2 tsp of ground...

Slow Cooker Season – Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Season – Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Ingredients: 1-4 lbs turkey breast 1 head of garlic cut in half horizontally 1 large onion (brown, yellow, or white) unpeeled, cut in half 5 sprigs of fresh thyme Rub: 1-1/2 tsp garlic powder 1-1/2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp paprika 2 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 2 tbsp...

Slow Cooker Season – Vegan Chili

Slow Cooker Season – Vegan Chili

Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups vegetable broth 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa 15 oz black beans (1 can rinsed and drained) 14 oz diced tomatoes (don't drain) or 2 cups fresh diced tomatoes 1/4 cup red bell pepper (chopped) 1/4 cup green bell pepper (chopped) 1 medium carrot (diced)...

Slow Cooker Season – Crock Pot Fresh Green Beans, Potatoes and Ham

Slow Cooker Season – Crock Pot Fresh Green Beans, Potatoes and Ham

Ingredients: 2 lbs fresh green beans rinsed and cut into bite size pieces 4 large thin-skinned potatoes, yellow or red, washed and cut into bite size pieces 5 cups ham cubed 1 ham bone 32 oz chicken broth 1 tablespoon garlic salt 1/4 cup onion diced Instructions: Put...

Slow Cooker Season – Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Season – Beef Stew

Ingredients: 2 lbs Beef chuck 1 Bay leaves 1 Carrot, Large 4 Garlic cloves 2 tsp Thyme, Fresh Leaves 1/2 Yellow onion, Large 2 Yukon gold potatoes 2 cups Beef broth 1/4 cup Tomato paste 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp Black pepper, Coarsely Ground 2...

Slow Cooker Season – Chicken & Butternut Squash Stew

Slow Cooker Season – Chicken & Butternut Squash Stew

Ingredients: 1 bunch of fresh cilantro 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano 1 tsp cumin Salt and pepper to taste 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs 1 tbsp olive oil or as needed 1 large onion chopped 6 cloves garlic, chopped 2 pounds butternut squash chopped into 1-inch cubes...

Mayor’s Tree Lighting

Mayor’s Tree Lighting

Enjoy the Mayor’s Tree Lighting in the Market District This year the Southern Market opened as a market again, reclaiming its roots.  It’s a beautiful space filled with food vendors offering a fabulous array of cuisines from around the world.  Many people mentioned...

Why Give to Central Market Trust?

Why Give to Central Market Trust?

Why Give to Central Market Trust? That is a question you may be asking yourself this giving season. There are so many nonprofits in Lancaster, PA doing amazing work. Why choose to spend some of your generosity on Central Market Trust? There are endless reasons, not...

Autumn Harvest Bounty – Farm Fresh Recipe

Autumn Harvest Bounty – Farm Fresh Recipe

Our faithful Market shopper, Alicia Byler, co-owner of Telltale Dress. Season's Final Bounty: a Farm-Fresh Favorite   The eggplant harvest will take its final bows in October, so now is the time to gather the season’s last bounty of this farm-fresh purple...