The Franklin County Visitors Bureau celebrates Spring into History Month and invites the public to explore Franklin County.
April is Spring into History Month at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center. Buds are popping and days are sunny and warm. It is a good time to travel one of Franklin County’s many trails. Pick up the Stitches in Time Barn Quilt Trail to discover acre after acres of farmland, beautiful vistas, and amazing examples of the Cumberland Valley bank barn. Meander across Franklin County and step back to early American forts and settlements on the Frontier Franklin County Driving Tour. Explore military history from the pre-Revolutionary period to present day on the Franklin County Military Trail of History Self- Guided Tour.
For the more active explorer, Franklin County communities offer downtown walking tours of the five communities of Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Each community’s downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other active opportunities include a Biking Tour of French & Indian War Sites in Southwest Franklin County or The South Mountain Road to Freedom Hike on a piece of the Appalachian Trail. Download these walks, hikes, and biking routes here. https://www.explorefranklincountypa.com/home/fcvb-publications/
Historic sites throughout Franklin County offer a variety of programs during April. Explore more at one of these upcoming events:
Conococheague Institute offers free programs every Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Easter Games on April 8, Earth Day conservation on April 22, and Arrowheads and Archery hunting techniques on April 29.
Allison-Antrim Museum welcomes Bonnie Shockey to present “The UGRR and the Anderson Family of Antrim Township” at 7 pm in the German Bank Barn of the museum grounds.
Fort Loudoun is having a Tree Planting Day on April 15, 8 AM to 2 PM.
Franklin County Historical Society presents certified genealogist Pam Anderson presenting “Researching Franklin County House Histories” at the Grove Family Library.
All our free events. View more events in April here.
Guest speaker is Susan Lyons from Shippensburg, PA.
Ms. Lyons is a retired public school teacher, a docent at the Franklin County Historical Society, and serves as mentor and judge with the National History Day.
The program will be “Frances Perkins, Architect of the New Deal.”
Frances Perkins was the first female presidential cabinet secretary and the central architect of the New Deal.
She designed Social Security and public works programs.
Her work resulted in the construction of hospitals, public schools, and related infrastructure.
A social worker by training, Perkins also implemented workplace regulations that are standard to this day.
The Franklin County Historical Society will hold a book signing with John Brown in Chambersburg (3rd Edition) author Virginia Stake at the Old Jail, 175 East King Street, Chambersburg.
The 3rd edition of the book features additional chapters with new information on the Ritner family.
Mary Ritner owned the boarding house where John Brown stayed in 1859 while planning his raid on Harper’s Ferry.
The book will be available for purchase for $23.00, tax included.
The Old Jail will also be open for tours from 10:00am – 4:00pm for a nominal fee.
The Franklin County Historical Society is excited to announce a new workshop, “Researching Franklin County House Histories: Examining Records to Help Determine the History of a House.”
The workshop will analyze different types of records, resources, and structural elements that can help date old houses.
Presenters are Pam Anderson, certified genealogist and owner of Anderson CoGen, Heather Wade, Franklin County Archivist, and Kara Shindle, Franklin County GIS Director.
The cost of the workshop is $45.00 per person and includes lunch.
For more information and to register, please email Pam Anderson at Pam@AndersonCogen.com.
The Franklin County Historical Society is excited to announce a new workshop, “Researching Franklin County House Histories: Examining Records to Help Determine the History of a House.” Sponsored by FCHS and the Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB), the workshop will take place on Monday, June 27 from 8:00am-6:00pm at the FCVB, 15 South Main Street, Chambersburg.
The workshop will analyze different types of records, resources, and structural elements that can help date old houses. Presenters are Pam Anderson, certified genealogist and owner of Anderson CoGen, Heather Wade, Franklin County Archivist, and Kara Shindle, Franklin County GIS Director.
The cost of the workshop is $45.00 per person and includes lunch.
For more information and to register, please email Pam Anderson at Pam@AndersonCogen.com.
