Living History: The U.S. Constitution in the words of Frederick Douglass
Saturday April 30th, 2022 * 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
FREE to attend!!
Register on Eventbrite
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau welcomes the public to a special portrayal of Frederick Douglass at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center.
The event recalls the public talk Frederick Douglass gave in August 1859, just before meeting with John Brown to discuss Brown’s plans to raid the arsenal at Harpers Ferry.
Author and storyteller Nathan M. Richardson will portray Frederick Douglass and talk about the U.S. Constitution.
The presentation culminates the Franklin County Visitors Bureau’s April celebration Spring into History and is presented at no charge
Learn & Explore Weekend, Featuring Narrative of Life of Frederick Douglass
Friday February 25th & Saturday February 26th, 2022
African American History is American History
Featuring Narrative of Life of Frederick Douglass and tour of related historic sites in Franklin County.
Speeches by Frederick Douglass
Douglass’ speeches give a glimpse of his life and accomplishments as well as his dedication to liberty, civil rights, and equality of all human beings.
Frederick Douglass wrote several autobiographies, advised politicians and presidents, and worked for the rights of African Americans, equal treatment of women, and other minority groups.
James Daly, editor of Great Speeches by Frederick Douglass, points out his many accomplishments but notes his success as an orator.
Douglass’ speeches span more than half a century and show today’s reader an original source perspective of Frederick Douglass’ challenges as well as America’s.
Friday 25th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Delve into Great Speeches by Frederick Douglass – including The Church and Prejudice (1841)
My Slave Experience in Maryland (1848)
We Have Decided to Stay (1848)
John Brown (1881).
$35 /person
$50 /2-person rate
Saturday 26th, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Focus on Frederick Douglass in Chambersburg.
Includes a tour of then and now sites connected to Frederick Douglass.
Event includes a lunch or dinner, representing food of the mid-1800’s.
Event concludes with a visit to Mount Vernon Cemetery on Route 30 West.
Mount Vernon is a National Park Service Network to Freedom site, where USCT are interred.
To Learn more and to sign up for the learn & explore weekend, Click Here
New Civil War Trail Sign Unveiled in Downtown Chambersburg
Franklin County joined the Civil War Trails with the unveiling of “Flashpoint of Invasion.” The sign, located outside the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center, is the newest Civil War Trails sign along the Pennsylvania segment of the trail, which came to life with a half-dozen story boards in 2021.
Franklin County’s location, access to rail, and an abundance of crops and livestock made the county a prime target during the Civil War. Even before war, Franklin County’s location played a role. The county held a network of secret passages and many operatives, who helped escaping enslaved move to safety. Again, location played a role in Franklin County’s history when John Brown and his men established a northern headquarters in Chambersburg. With access to the Cumberland Valley Railroad, Brown and his men stockpiled weapons throughout the spring and summer, leading up to the Raid on Harpers Ferry in October 1859.
“Flashpoint of Invasion” serves as a gateway to exploring Chambersburg and Franklin County. More than two dozen Franklin County sites are identified as Civil War Trail stories, as the Franklin County Visitors Bureau works to secure funding to install the signs. The Civil War Trails program is recognized by travelers, particularly those seeking authentic experiences and local history. History travelers are getting younger and these travelers, age 25-34, are the largest growing segment. Many travelers are pairing their interest in history with recreation and locally sourced food and beverages.
The Foundation For Enhancing Communities (TFEC) funded “Flashpoint of Invasion” as part of its 100-year celebration and is funding a second Civil War sign in 2022. TFEC focuses on building strong communities for a lasting impact.
