CARLISLE, PA (November 30, 2010) - The Cumberland County Historical Society in partnership with Michaux State Forest has received a grant from the South Mountain Partnership which will assist with a project to bring recognition and improved access to the Camp Michaux site in Cooke Township.

Recognition will be achieved by erection of official state historical highway markers at the site.  Application will also be made for placement of the site on the National Register of Historic Places.  Work to improve access to the site will be completed next Spring with clearing of trails and significant sites within the former camp.  A walking tour guide available on line will be developed.  The guide will be keyed to numbered posts which will be erected throughout the site.

The Camp Michaux site was originally an early American farm from the late 18th century to the early 20th century.  The farm served the interests of the South Mountain Mining Estate at Pine Grove Furnace.  In 1933 the site was selected to be one of the first two Civilian Conservation Corps camps in Pennsylvania.  The most historically significant era of the site occurred during WWII when the Pine Grove Furnace CCC camp was converted to a top secret Prisoner of War interrogation center, one of only three sites in the country used for this purpose.  Following the war the camp was converted for use as a youth church camp and the name was changed to Camp Michaux.  The camp closed in 1972 and was dismantled in 1975.  The site continues to attract interest to many persons interested in one or more components of the farm/camp's history.  The Historical Society leads twice annual tours at the site. 

The South Mountain Partnership is a tri-county organization administered by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.  The Partnership's mission is to sustain the South Mountain Region's quality of life which is critically reliant on its natural, cultural, and economic assets. 

The Cumberland County Historical Society is an active history center with an award winning museum, library, photo archives, educational center, museum shop and historic Two Mile House. The Historical Society's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret and promote research of Cumberland County history. Anyone interested in local history is invited to become a member. Call 249-7610 or visit our web site www.historicalsociety.com for more information and to see the museum virtual tour. Cumberland County Historical Society is located at 21 North Pitt Street, in Carlisle Pennsylvania. Hours are Monday 4-8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Admission to the museum is free. History on High - The Shop's hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m