America250PA is kicking off the 250th bash in every county across Pennsylvania, and Franklin County takes center stage on January 22, 3 PM to 5 PM. Join the festivities at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center! Local legislators, county commissioners, characters of history, and friends from America250PA, plus an amazing fiddlist and a tasty assortment of Franklin County food and beverages. January 22 is a memorable event for a memorable occasion; join us. Sign up here or RSVP by contacting 717.552.2977.
Franklin County holds more than 70 county sites recognized by the Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission and connections to famous American like John Brown, Frederick Douglass, Martin Delaney, Harriet Lane, and Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes—Franklin County represents centuries of Pennsylvanian and American history.
Established on September 9, 1784, Franklin County is the 14th Pennsylvania county. It is acres of farmland and forests with frontier forts and settlements and stories of America’s history tucked between rolling hills. When established, the population approximated 12,500. Today, 160,000 Pennsylvanians live in Franklin County. Visitors number four times the county population and enjoy many of the same pleasures the residents do–stopping along the way at an old-fashioned ice cream shop; a bakery with shoo-fly pies, sticky buns, and whoopie pies; or exploring meandering mountain trails. Franklin County remains a respite from the hectic pace where people are pleased by:
· Beautiful valley vistas and views of the Blue Mountain and South Mountain;
· Charming downtowns like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro;
· Little hamlets tucked around the bend like Lemasters, Fort Loudon, Blue Ridge Summit, Rouzerville, Quincy, Mont Alto, and Fayetteville;
· Legacy lands that hold Pennsylvania’s cradle of conservation;
· Close to 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail;
· Cool, clear limestone streams with wild rainbow, brown, and Brook trout;
· State Parks of Mont Alto, Caledonia, Cowans Gap, and James Buchanan’s Birthplace;
· Fresh food at more than four dozen farmers markets, farm stands, farm stores, creameries, and honey spots;
· Summer theatre at Totem Pole Playhouse and year-round music and entertainment at the Luhrs Center, Capitol Theatre, and Star Theatre;
· Countless artisans and artists that fill galleries and boutique shops and contribute to more than 50 year-round festivals and holiday events.
Make a lasting memory and join the celebration on January 22, 2026. Then plan to explore more of Franklin County PA as America celebrates 250 years.
Underground Railroad
