Indian Steps Museum

The story of Indian Steps Cabin begins over ten thousand years ago. The area gets its name from the “steps” carved in the nearby Susquehanna River’s rocks by early people of the region who used the footholds while gathering food along the river. The arrows, spear heads, stone axes and other relics embedded in the building were the belongings of the first residents of York County. At the beginning of the twentieth century John Edward Vandersloot, a York, PA attorney enjoyed hunting, fishing and discovering ancient artifacts along the Susquehanna River area locally known as Indian Steps.  Attorney Vandersloot acquired the property and developed it as a personal retreat.  As John enjoyed the natural wonders of Indian Steps his collection of Native American artifacts continued to grow.  As Vandersloot’s collection increased in size he began to have difficulty housing all of the artifacts.  In 1907 John then decided that the best way to preserve his collection was to construct a building to display his antiquities.  The Indian Steps Cabin was completed in 1912.