Fairy Tea Tasting at Hip Gypsy Emporium
Sunday March 26th, 2023 * 2:00 PM
You’re invited to visit a fairy world and enjoy samples of new teas for Spring and other tasty morsels, as we frolic with fairy fun and fellowship!
Pre-purchase tickets: $8 per person.
Stop by or call 717.860.1324 to get your tickets now
Franklin County Sweets: An Evening of Dessert at 11/30 Visitors Bureau
February 10, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites the public to celebrate Valentine’s Day with friends, family, or a special someone at Franklin County Sweets: An Evening of Dessert
This sweet event serves dessert as the main course and is held at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center on the second floor, overlooking the square and downtown Chambersburg.
The evening opens with complimentary beverages, cheese, and starters in the lobby of the 11/30 Visitors Center to give participants a chance to meet other dessert lovers.
The “main course” of this event is dessert and includes a variety of cookies, carrot cake, cheesecake, pecan pie, chocolate cake with chocolate icing, and panna cotta with fresh fruit topping.
Desserts are served with a choice of coffee or tea and finally espresso and dark chocolate.
Throughout the evening, the Franklin County Visitors Bureau will highlight the Sweet Trails of Franklin County, in particular ice cream, pie, and candy; share the sweetest Franklin County spots for selfie-taking, and hand out retro Valentine cards.
Franklin County Sweets: An Evening of Dessert concludes with Sweet Bingo—guaranteed to be both fun and tasty.
Eating sweets creates a neurochemical response that makes feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and pleasure.
So, it makes sense to give a sweet treat to someone special—share Franklin County Sweets: An Evening of Dessert with your special someone(s).
Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased online here.
Franklin County Historical Society, Tea Party Fundraiser
Saturday, September 3rd, 2022 * 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The Old Jail East Courtyard
The event will feature tea, food, and entertainment and is open to both Society members and the public.
Guests may wear hats if they choose. There will be a contest with prizes for Most Authentic, Most “Royal”, and Most Creative.
Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased at 175 East King Street, Chambersburg, by calling 717-264-1667, or online at franklinhistorical.org by August 15th, 2022.
The event benefits the nonprofit Society.
Harriet Lane Tea & Talk
Enjoy an afternoon of tea and talk about Harriet Rebecca Lane, First Lady of Franklin County and the United States. Author Bob O’Connor will speak about Harriet Lane, sharing excerpts of his book, “Harriet Lane: The Original First Lady of Washington.” Emily Martin, a local thespian, will bring a young Miss Lane to life as she mixes and mingles with her visitors.
Event begins a 1 PM and runs until 3 PM and is being held in the 1865 lobby of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 15 South Main Street in Chambersburg. The 10,000 sq. ft. building served as a bank from 1865 to 2015.
A Little About Harriet
Harriet was born in Mercersburg, Franklin County, PA on May 9, 1830 to Elliott Tole Lane and Jane Buchanan Lane. Her grandfather was a merchant, who came from Donegal County in Ireland and established a good foundation for his family. Harriet’s father was a merchant, and her mother was the younger sister of James Buchanan. It was a family of ample means.
Even with a level of wealth, her life was not easy. At age nine, her mother died and two years later, her father. Her favorite uncle, James Buchanan, adopted Harriet. She would serve as his confidante and consultant, traveling to Great Britain when Buchanan served as Minister to England. She was a favorite of Queen Victoria and the royal court. When James Buchanan became president, she served as “First Lady” and was an accomplished hostess.
She chose to hold off marrying until she was 35 years old. Within three years, she would have two sons and a happy family life. Tragedy returned in 1881, 1882, and 1884 when she lost both sons to rheumatic fever and her husband died unexpectedly.
Harriet Lane came to understand the fleetingness of life, the value of family, and the importance of keeping a purpose. She gave generously to the research of children’s disease, endowed a school for boys, and planted the seed of a national art gallery.
The Perspective of a Celtic Blessing
“May God give you, for every storm, a rainbow, for every tear, a smile, for every care, a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sign a sweet song, and an answer for each prayer.”