CARLISLE, PA (December 23, 2009) - Several leading county and national entities have joined together to launch an official Cumberland County 150th U.S. Civil War Commemoration Committeeto plan, promote and coordinate county-wide events in Cumberland County as part of the upcoming Civil War Sesquicentennial period, which will be commemorated nationally in 2011-2015. 

The Cumberland County 150th U.S. Civil War Commemoration Steering Committee consists of historical societies, museums, libraries, schools and colleges, government, cultural organizations and members from the business community. The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center and Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau are partnering to harness the tremendous assets and resources available in Cumberland County.  

 "We are structuring the planning committee to accommodate two essential missions," Chairman Jack Giblin said today. "One is to coordinate various community interests and events throughout the 150th celebration period; and the second is to provide a platform for local communities to explore the rich historic and cultural aspects of the area's contribution to this most formative period of American history."  Mr. Giblin is Visitors and Education Services Director, U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA.

 Shireen Farr, Tourism Director, Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, will be coordinating with state and regional visitor, tourism and hospitality organizations through the commemoration period. "We will coordinate our activities and events with neighboring counties and statewide organizations," Ms. Farr said, "to assure that we are working together to welcome and host visitors as they travel throughout the region during the Sesquicentennial period."

 "The 150th commemoration provides a great opportunity for local communities across Cumberland County to reinvigorate their historical roots," Bob Philbin, a Cumberland County resident and marketing strategist who serves on the Board of Directors of The National Civil War Museum, added.

 "This is an excellent opportunity not only for economic development throughout the county, but also to educate and inform citizens and visitors about the important role central Pennsylvania played in one of the defining periods in American history."  The National Civil War Museum, Harrisburg, PA, is serving as the regional planning hub for central PA counties, Philbin said.

 The Cumberland County 150th Civil War Steering Committee will coordinate county activities over the 2011-2015 period as part of the Pennsylvania Civil War 150, a statewide partnership of major history organizations to serve as the Commonwealth's official planning committee for the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.  

 The next steering committee meeting is scheduled for January 13th at 6 p.m. at the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau. County residents or organizations that are interested in participating in this multi-year and regional effort should contact Shireen Farr at 717-240-7196.

 Also visit the following web sites for more information. Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, http://www.visitcumberlandvalley.com, PA Civil War 150, www.pacivilwar150.com