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).
The 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
David Wills House
Rupp House/Friends of Gettysburg
Chambersburg Heritage Center
John Brown House/Mary Ritner's Boarding House
Cumberland County Historical Society
Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse
Mechanicsburg Museum Association
The State Museum of Pennsylvania
John Harris - Simon Cameron House
President James Buchanan's Wheatland
Christiana Underground Railroad Center at Historic Zercher's Hotel & UGRR Museum
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.
