Franklin County is wrapping up a busy year of remembering 250 years of American history. No recognition of the county’s history would be complete without recalling the events related to John Brown, Frederick Douglass, and the Raid on Harper’s Ferry. The public is invited to join Franklin County Visitors Bureau for a Learn & Explore Weekend: Road to Freedom, October 3-4, where the impact of John Brown and Frederick Douglass takes center stage. Nathan Richardson and Doug Dobbs portray Frederick Douglass and John Brown and bring the era’s history to life.
The weekend begins with “A Freedom Tour of Franklin County,” Saturday, October 3, 9 AM to 3 PM, featuring sites associated with the Underground Railroad, Brown & Douglass, and the USCT. Sunday’s program shifts to Frederick Douglass with “Tea & Talk” in the Great Room of the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center, 2 PM-4 PM. Inspired by Frederick Douglass’ European Tour of 1845-47, the conversation will cover the breadth of his life.
But, this is not just any history event because the Learn & Explore Weekend: Road to Freedom launches the fundraising effort for the John Brown and Frederick Douglass Statue in Chambersburg as well as the Franklin County Road to Freedom Trail, spanning the 1847 Abolition of Slavery Act of Pennsylvania to ratification of the 15th Amendment in 1870. All proceeds will be used to fund the statue; estimated cost is $200,000.
“During the 250th anniversary year, the freedom story highlighted a colonial journey to freedom. As we near the end of 2026, it is important to continue the theme of freedom in this essential year of history with another chapter of freedom,” said Janet Pollard, executive director of Franklin County Visitors Bureau. The October 3-4 Learn & Explore Weekend will transport visitors back to the volatile autumn of 1859, a time when Chambersburg–a small town of just over 5000–was the covert staging ground for the raid on Harpers Ferry. October 3 is a Freedom Bus Tour with stops at Mary Ritner Boarding House, capture site of John Cook, home of bounty hunter Daniel Logan, Wertz Farm and USCT cemeteries. October 4 is a Tea & Talk with Frederick Douglass—a reflective conversation covering the seven decades of his life. Watch preview here.
For more details and information on ticketing, visit Eventbrite here. Options are available at a fixed price or by donation so all who want to learn and explore are able to participate. Please contact 717.552.2977 or 866.646.8060 for questions about this event, and the Road to Freedom Trail.
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods, and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro.
Underground Railroad
