The York County Planning Commission wants to add more local destinations to its heritage program.

Until June 1, the commission is accepting applications from local sites -- including shops, museums and nature centers -- that highlight the historical, cultural and natural heritage of York County.

The York County Heritage Program encourages local tourism by finding sites that can help the public learn about the county's heritage, said Pam Shellenberger, the commission's chief of long-range planning.

"The idea of it is maybe a lot of people don't know the county's history, but they can learn about it through places that have demonstrations, historical information or items, or have (staff) that dress in authentic clothing," she said.

The places must show how they are interpreting and presenting history, have set hours for receiving visitors and have tour programs in place, Shellenberger said.

The preliminary application deadline is Friday, June 1.

The accepted sites will receive certificates and window clings showing they are designated sites within the York County Heritage Program. The sites also will be listed online at www.yorkcountyheritage.com so that the public will know their locations.

More than 30 places in York County have been accepted into the heritage program, including the Dover Blacksmith Shop, the Police Heritage Museum in York City and the Maple Shade Barn in Dillsburg.

"We're helping them promote their sites, and we want to increase tourism in York County," Shellenberger said. "It's the idea of preserving the county's heritage and presenting it to folks in an entertaining and fun sort of way."

--Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at 505-5438 or emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.