HARRISBURG, PA (Aug. 27, 2009) - Officials from the PA Tourism Office and nine county tourism bureaus within Pennsylvania's Dutch Country Roads Region today announced a new Civil War Trails Passport to History program that rewards travelers with commemorative Civil War gifts after visiting a variety of attractions along the recently developed PA Civil War Trails (CWT).

 

 

Civil War logoThe free Passport to History program provides travelers along Pennsylvania's CWT with an opportunity to collect "passport stamps" at 24 participating attractions, earning them points toward commemorative Civil War  gifts including: Civil War Trails Pin (4 stamps); Civil War Trails Pennant (8 stamps); Civil War Kepi cap (12 stamps).

Passports with 12 or more stamps qualify for the grand prize, a getaway vacation package that includes overnight lodging for two; discount coupons; gift bag; two dine around coupons; museum admission for two; and a trail guide. Rules require the winner must be 18 years old to be eligible for the grand prizes to be drawn on Nov. 19, 2009 and July 5, 2010.

"This new promotion adds a great incentive for those coming to this area to experience the PA Civil War Trails," said Chris Barrett, Chairman of the Dutch Country Roads Regional Committee. "The passport book identifies four attractions in each county along the trail, giving a traveler a clear path to experience some of the finest museums, unique attractions and historic places within Pennsylvania's Dutch Country Roads Region."

The new incentive program was initiated by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office in partnership with the following regional tourism bureaus:

Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau

Franklin County Visitors Bureau

Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau

PA Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau

York County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Greater Reading Visitors Center

Lebanon County Visitors Center

Redeem Prizes

Prizes can be redeemed at official visitor center locations in Carlisle, Chambersburg, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading, and York.  Travelers can find the specific addresses for each visitor centers in a downloadable copy of the passport book at DutchCountryRoads.com/

Passport books can be picked up at the following locations

  • Visitor Centers in Participating Counties (Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York)
  • PennDOT Welcome Centers
  • 24 Participating Sites (see below)

Regional attractions featured in the passport booklet

Shriver House Museum

David Wills House

American Civil War Museum

Rupp House/Friends of Gettysburg

Chambersburg Heritage Center

John Brown House/Mary Ritner's Boarding House

Allison-Antrim Museum

Renfrew Museum

Cumberland County Historical Society

Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse

Mechanicsburg Museum Association

Civil War and More

PA National Fire House Museum

The State Museum of Pennsylvania

The National Civil War Museum

John Harris - Simon Cameron House

Strasburg Rail Road

President James Buchanan's Wheatland

Christiana Underground Railroad Center at Historic Zercher's Hotel & UGRR Museum

National Watch & Clock Museum

John Wright Warehouse

York County Heritage Trust

Agricultural & Industrial Museum

Hanover Junction Train Station

 

About the PA Civil War Trails

Two distinct trails were developed in a partnership among the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission:

The Road to Gettysburg: Defending the Commonwealth tells of the Union effort to hold off approaching Confederate forces from overtaking the northern state.

The Road to Harrisburg: The Pennsylvania Breadbasket looks at the Civil War from the Confederate side, detailing General Lee's strategy and attempt to capture Pennsylvania's capital city and the detour that led both sides to meet at Gettysburg.

About Pennsylvania's Dutch Country Roads Region

Welcome to Pennsylvania's No. 1 tourist region, Dutch Country Roads! The nine counties comprising the DCR region - Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York - offer visitors an inviting mix of urban chic and rural beauty, as well as a convenient central location for your Pennsylvania getaway. For more information, visit www.dutchcountryroads.com.