Franklin County Visitors Bureau Celebrate African American History, Women’s History, American History at Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center
History is front and center at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center in downtown Chambersburg. Step into the African American History Is American History selfie installation. Add your selfie to the exhibit. Discover distinctive people, like Royal Christian, Joseph Winters, and Zelda Barbour. Share a favorite quote or story. Take a moment and read about Franklin County’s USCT (U.S. Colored Troops) from Dum Spiro, Spero: Chambersburg’s Black Civil War Soldiers and Sailors or read the oral history of Bernard Ruffin’s Voices of Chambersburg. Exhibit open from February to May 1. Come in person or join virtually by snapping a selfie with your own backdrop and emailing to jpollard@explorefranklincountypa.com.
March brings Women’s History to the 11/30 Visitors Center with Vision, Voices, and the VOTE, a second self-building installation to encourage public participation. Learn about some of the first women of Franklin County, including revolutionary veteran Margaret Cochran Corbin and Franklin County’s first female judge, Carol Van Horn. Snap a selfie in person or join virtually by taking a picture of influential women in your life. Share the words of women, who inspired you. Exhibit open March 1 to May 1.
Inspired by the Martin Luther King quote: “The time is always right to do what is right,” Franklin County Visitors Bureau is sponsoring an essay contest. The contest is open to young and old. Doing the right thing shaped African American history, women’s history, and all of American history. Answer the question: What is your right thing? Submit the essay to Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center, 15 South Main Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201. For prizes and further details, visit https://www.explorefranklincountypa.com/home/black-history-month-essay-contest/
Throughout April, Franklin County Visitors Bureau focuses on 300 years of American history in the county. The 2021 celebration will use cuisine as a connector of culture and history by hosting a series of four-cooking demonstrations—from the Pennsylvania German cooking of early immigrants through more current connections to Latin American flavors. Food connects people to home and family, to tradition and society, and brings people together. To top off the three-month celebration on May 1, Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center will host Franklin County Flavor–300 Years of Food, a special multi-course, multi-cuisine food event. With more than 10,000 square feet of space and using two seatings, the 11/30 Visitors Center will safely be able to host up to 150 for this one-of-a-kind taste of history. Ticket sales open March 22.
Famous Women of Franklin County
From the Revolutionary era to the 20th century, women of Franklin County contributed to a young America, helped shape a strong foundation of Franklin County, and contributed to the well-being of community. Join the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at the 11/30 Visitors Center on the square in Chambersburg for Famous Women of Franklin County, 1 PM to 3 PM. The event showcases women of Franklin County with a display, videos, and panel discussion. Panel participants include Bonnie Shockey of Allison-Antrim Museum, Joan McCulloh of Mercersburg Historical Society, Amy Ensley, Director of Hankey Center at Wilson College and Maxine Beck on behalf of Renfrew Museum.
Learn about Margaret Cochran Corbin and her heroism during the Revolutionary War, First Lady Harriet Lane, Dolly Harris and her feat of patriotism as Confederate soldiers marched through Greencastle, and the financial support of Sarah Wilson to give generations of women access to higher education. Fast forward to the 20th century and discover the stories of women like Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes, Emma Nicodemus, Margaret Disert, and Lois Martin. These women are solid examples of conviction, hard work, patriotism, dedication to family, and a strong belief in giving and growing community.
Women often consider the right to vote as a significant step forward for the gender. Yet, year after year, women continue to make important advances by working toward outcomes they valued. Famous Women of Franklin County will highlight some of these women and their stories. Participants—male and female— are invited to share their thoughts about pivotal issues that impact, support, and shape women and their community efforts.
The event is free and open to the public and is one in an series with a lens on history, civics, community and culture.
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. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Plan a visit at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com, contacting 866.646.8060, or stopping by the new Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center in downtown Chambersburg.
Franklin Country Visitors Bureau Showcases Harriet Lane For March’s Women’s History Month
Franklin County Visitors Bureau is showcasing the accomplishments of Harriet Lane to commemorate Women’s History Month during March 2017. Born in 1830 in Mercersburg PA, the first nine years of Harriet life was secure and stable. At age nine, her mother died and at ten, her father. When orphaned, Harriet asked to live with her mother’s brother, James Buchanan.
James Buchanan became Harriet’s legal guardian and in doing so, exposed her to a world few mid-19th century women experienced. Her life co-mingled with James Buchanan, Harriet Lane experienced the male world of politics and power. Touched by the death of siblings and parents, she understood life on a different level at an early age and though a fun-loving young lady, she possessed an early mental maturity and excelled in studies. She was well-prepared for the tasks she would assume throughout her uncle’s political career.
When she became James Buchanan’s ward, he was a U.S. Senator. Later, he would be the Secretary of State and the Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and finally the fifteenth U.S. President. Throughout all Buchanan’s political service, Harriet Lane served as hostess for her uncle. She was his confidante and advisor.
Two years before James Buchanan’s death, Harriet Lane married Henry Elliott Johnston; they had two sons. Both boys died, one year apart, of rheumatic fever. The loss of her sons steeled her focus on providing for the healthcare and well-being of children.
Harriet Lane lived a dynamic seventy-three years. Her dedication and generosity continues in the present. In her will, she provided for what is now the John Hopkins Children’s Center, gave funds to begin the St. Albans Boys School, and bequeathed her lifelong art collection to a national art gallery. Today, the art is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. As well, her will provided for two memorials to honor her uncle. Read more about Harriet Lane’s life and contributions. Download “Harriet Lane Johnston” by Joan C. McCulloh, or contact the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 866.646.8060 for a complimentary copy.
Experience the life of Harriet Lane and James Buchanan with a trip to Mercersburg PA. See the Lane Family Home, a 2.5 story brick home in the Federal style, located at 14 North Main Street and the boyhood home of James Buchanan, 15 North Main Street. Four miles north of Mercersburg is Cove Gap, where James Buchanan was born. Today, it is a Pennsylvania State Park and houses the 600 ton, stone-pyramid, an impressive tribute from Harriet Lane to her uncle James Buchanan.