Just north of the Mason Dixon Line, close to the midpoint of the Great Appalachian Valley, is Franklin County PA. It is home to history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. With four-seasons of family-fun and outdoor recreation, Franklin County getaways refresh and energize.
Chambersburg is the largest community and county seat. Founded in the 1730s, it offers plenty of early American and Civil War history. From the tradition of Rose Rent Churches to the 1864 Confederate firing of the town to Italian POWs at Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg has plenty of history to explore. The square is the crossroads of two major transportation routes—the north-south Route 11, also called the Molly Pitcher Highway, and the east-west Route 30, also known as the Lincoln Highway.
Be sure to begin your visit on the square at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center, housed in a restored, 1865 bank. The visitors center is easy to spot because it sits next to the church with a 187-ft spire. The folks at the visitor’s center are happy to help you plan your visit.
Spring 2020
Entire Month of April – Spring into History at the 11/30 Visitors Center with exhibits, bus tours, walking tours, speakers, genealogy workshop, Barn Quilt Trail, and month-long scavenger hunt.
ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com
April 25-26 — Cumberland Valley Antique Engine & Machinery Spring Fling showcases the ingenious designs of the past that brought us to the technology of the present. Daily tractor parade, tractor pulls, toy show, operating blacksmith shop and saw mill, plus indoor/outdoor flea market. Museum is open; kitchen opens at 7 AM. Lots of great homemade foods. Camping nearby at Twin Bridge Campground. Free admission and parking.
cvantiqueengine.org
1501 Criders Church Road, Chambersburg PA 17202
April 25 — Earth Celebration Day and Festival of Art 2020, 11 AM-4PM plus 15th Recycle/Reuse Yard Sale, 9 AM to 3 PM. Held at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro, it is a day of discovery, music, and art with environmental exhibits, spring plants, traditional drum circle. All activities are on the 100-acre German farmstead. Museum house tours. Walking trails. Free admission and parking.
instituteatrenfrew.org
renfrewmuseum.org
1010 East Main Street, Waynesboro PA 17268
May 2 — Blues Brews & Barbecue, 1 PM-7PM, at the 1927 Capitol Theatre in downtown Chambersburg.
Pair up blue grass bands and craft brews (and wine) with finger-licking favorite foods. Kick back and enjoy spring! Tickets: $15
thecapitoltheatre.org
159 S. Main Street, Chambersburg PA 17201
May 9 — Mercersburg Springfest is an old-fashioned street festival in the boyhood home of James Buchanan with authentic late 18th and early 19th century buildings as the backdrop. Free admission & Parking
mercersburgspringfest.com
May 31 — Happy Birthday Totem Pole Playhouse! Always Patsy Cline kicks off 70th season. Theatre in pines of Caledonia State Park. Tickets vary.
totempoleplayhouse.org
Fayetteville, PA 17222
Franklin County is an easy drive from DC and Philadelphia. Plan a visit at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or contact 866.646.8060.