While researching the Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce archives for this article, I discovered so many ways the organization has changed and grown over the past 87 years while still keeping its core purpose of supporting members and connecting local businesses, civic organizations, and the community.
This message comes from an undated Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce brochure, however it reflects a truth that has carried through our town’s 175-year history.
“Perhaps no other place in America combines such inspiring beauty, so great a record of history, so vast a resource of nature and is the home of such gifted, hard-working people as is the town of Mount Joy and its surrounding area.
Here in the fertile, rolling hills of Penn’s Woodlands, scattered with immaculate, prosperous farms, woven with sparkling streams, lies one of the very few ‘lands of opportunity for development.’
Here in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, is the ideal place for you, and your employees to work, live and enjoy life at its richest.”
In 1939, that belief in community and opportunity took shape with the founding of the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce—built to support the very people and businesses described in these words.
On April 17 of that year, a Mount Joy Board of Trade meeting was held. Mr. C. H. Hunt of the PA State Chamber of Commerce shared the difference between a Board of Trade and a Chamber of Commerce. Dr. E. W. Garber moved to disband the Board of Trade and form a Chamber in its place, with Clarence Schock seconding the motion. At that time, the treasurer was Reuben Fellenbaum and Roy B. Sheetz was the temporary Secretary. (Do these names sound familiar?) An Organization Committee of 15 was named, and 61 people were recorded as present—showing early on the strong interest in building something together.
In the weeks that followed, that momentum continued. By-laws were developed, and membership dues were set at $5.
By June 19, 101 applications for membership had been submitted, a clear sign of the support for the new civic organization. Just days later, on June 23, the first Board was elected and committees were established, including Membership, Program, Industrial, Merchants, Transportation and Highways, Agriculture, Fire and Waste, Publicity, Finance, Youth Activity, and Town Planning—laying the groundwork for the Chamber’s role in supporting and connecting the local businesses and community.
Now, 87 years later, it’s fun to look back and wonder—what would we have been doing as Chamber members in those early days?
The answer: a lot of things that still feel familiar.
At the June 23, 1939 meeting, Simon P. Nissley was named director of the Publicity Committee — charged with spreading the word about Mount Joy and its businesses. Today, that role has a decidedly more whimsical successor. Mount Joy Minnie, the Chamber’s beloved groundhog ambassador, carries on that tradition through videos celebrating the town’s businesses, organizations, and events — racking up tens of thousands of views across the Chamber’s social media channels. It’s an audience Simon P. Nissley, in a world without television in the living room, could never have imagined.
At the same meeting, Clyde Gerberich was named as the director of the Youth Activity Committee. Reading through old meeting minutes, the Chamber frequently supported the local playground and school activities, along with the 4-H club. That support continues today with the scholarships that are awarded to students in the Donegal School District and The Janus School. We also host the annual Spooktacular that takes place the fourth Friday of October. This is a popular community event that lets children safely trick-or-treat on Main Street with local businesses and community organizations handing out candy and providing fun activities.
On October 30, 1939, the Christmas Decorating Committee proposed a contest for best decorated home and business in Mount Joy. The prizes, $10.00 for first place, $5.00 for second place, and $2.50 for third place, seem quaint, but adjusting for inflation those prizes today would be $233.00, $116.50 and $58.25. The Chamber continues bringing Christmas cheer to the community with the annual Visit with Santa which is held at the Milanof-Schock Library.
At the December 11, 1939 meeting, “a delightful and splendid dinner” was served by caterer Eli Hostetter. Connecting during meals is just as important today as it was 87 years ago. Eli was then the owner of Hostetter’s Banquet Facility, which became The Gathering Place when Jim and Joanne Pinkerton purchased the venue in 1986. The Chamber still meets there monthly for our Luncheons.
In 1940, approval was given to have 300 rosters printed containing “members, committees, directors, etc.” This year, Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. will print more than 10,000 copies of the Business Directory that will be distributed in the Merchandiser and also available at the Chamber office and Chamber events. The members at the time probably never imagined that 86 years later this directory would also be available on the internet. Computers at the time were massive, room-sized machines powered by thousands of vacuum tubes, not something you could put in your pocket.
At the January 13, 1942 meeting, The Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce president Paul Grubb was present and cooperation between the two chambers on a project was discussed. That partnership continues today with the chambers co-hosting Mixers for Chamber members and a Community & Business Expo. This year’s Expo will be held on Thursday, September 17, at Melhorn Manor, which is another Mount Joy Chamber member with a long history – the property dates back to 1750, and has been in the Melhorn family since 1919.
During the June 21, 1943 meeting, “Mr. Thos. J.B. Brown moved we sponsor a Band Concert as suggested by Mr. Baughy, Director of the Mount Joy High School Band, during this summer.” The concert would be held on July 30. Several organizations have hosted music in the town through the years. Music in Memorial Park, now hosted by the Chamber, is a well-attended summer tradition giving residents a chance to enjoy free music and food in a beautiful setting. This year will feature three Sundays of bands with a Mount Joy connection to honor the town’s anniversary.
While some things have changed through the years, the heart of the Chamber hasn’t. What the archives make clear is that the Chamber has never really been about the Chamber — it’s been about the people and making connections. In Mount Joy’s 175th year, that’s still exactly what it’s about. Visit mountjoychamber.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be part of the story in 2026 and beyond.
