CARLISLE, PA (December 13, 2010) - Soon visitors to the Cumberland Valley PA area will know exactly where to find things to do, maps of the area and a vast assortment of tools to help enjoy and explore the Valley.

The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau (CVVB) will be opening a visitors center for the county at History on High - The Shop in downtown Carlisle, located at 33 W. High Street. The shop currently features a wide variety of collectible books and photographs about the area as well as paintings, jewelry, food items, clothing and other gifts from Cumberland County craftsmen.

The History on High shop is operated by the Cumberland County Historical Society (CCHS).  The CVVB and CCHS will be training volunteers to become familiar with the Cumberland Valley and be ready to answer questions and make recommendations. "This beautiful store is already a great asset to visitors and acts as the gift shop for Cumberland Valley. We are very excited about this partnership with the Cumberland County Historical Society," said CVVB Director of Tourism Shireen Farr.

The CVVB will be using a newly renovated section of the shop to offer visitors guides, local attraction information, maps and useful volunteers to assist visitors and offer suggestions of places to eat, shop and things to see and do. "The Historical Society, already a destination for thousands of out-of-town visitors, is pleased to partner with the CVVB on this exciting project. The transition is underway with new signage, expanded space, Internet, visitor information and handicapped accessibility," said CCHS Executive Director Linda Witmer.

The two organizations are working details of this unique lease operator arrangement. CCHS volunteers will operate the visitors center.  The CVVB and CCHS will be offering training in January for volunteers interested in helping in the new visitors center. Call 717-249-7610 for information about volunteering.

Look for the new Cumberland Valley Visitors Center in January 2011!

The mission of the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau is to promote Cumberland Valley as a tourist destination, attract visitors to the area, enhance the visitor's experience, and to encourage and promote overnight stays.

The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau is also part of Pennsylvania's Dutch Country Roads region, the number one visited region in PA, a true vacation destination where country meets city and the past lives side-by-side with the present.