Cumberland County Kick Off to 250

At the Old Courthouse, on the corner of Hanover & High Street in Carlisle, a historical marker notes that the County was formed on January 27, 1750.  What better way to mark the beginning of America250PA’s celebration than on the 276th anniversary of the county’s founding? Spend the day in Carlisle, established as the county seat in 1751, and voted #4 in USA Today’s 10 Best Historic Small Towns. Today, the town is noted for its historic architecture, tree-lined streets, diverse restaurants, and welcoming storefronts.

Signature Event @ 7 pm: Free Concert & Lecture

Head to Carlisle Theatre for a short 30-minute concert of patriotic music by the Carlisle Town Band, followed by a presentation by Dr. Kate LeMay about the U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center, focusing on their two most recent exhibits: This We'll Defend: Celebrating 250 Years of Army History and From Powder to Purpose: Carlisle Barracks from Revolution to Today.

Kate C. Lemay is the Director of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. As the Army War College's public center for research, USAHEC includes archives, a library, and a museum dedicated to the soldier experience in the U.S. Army. Dr. Lemay is a Fulbright Scholar, a Presidential Counselor to the National WWII Museum, and an Advisor to the National Women’s Suffrage Monument Association. Prior to joining the Army War College, Dr. Lemay served as a historian and curator at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

Dr. Lemay has held the positions of assistant professor of art history at Auburn University Montgomery and visiting assistant professor of the history of modern and contemporary art at Brigham Young University. She earned a dual PhD in American art history and American studies from Indiana University (Bloomington), where she completed an MA in art history. She holds a BA in French and art history from Syracuse University, from which she graduated with the Award of Excellence in French, magna cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa.

This event is free. No registration is required. Seating is first-come, first served.

Other Highlighted Activities

1. Cumberland County Historical Society, 21 N. Pitt Street. The award-winning museum features 16 galleries that tell the stories of local history spanning 250 years. Noteworthy are the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, folk art, and decorative arts galleries. Open 10 am to 4 pm.
2. Carlisle History Walk. Explore Carlisle's rich heritage with our Historic Wayside Markers! These informative displays guide you through the town's history, showcasing key events, notable figures, and important landmarks. Each marker offers a glimpse into the past, inviting you to connect with the stories that shaped our community. Sign up for the free mobile passport.
3. Old Public Graveyard, S. Bedford & E. South Streets. One of the seven original public graveyards in colonial Pennsylvania, this site is the burial place of Mary Hays McCauly, also known as Molly Pitcher, as well as several Revolutionary War leaders.
4. Self-Guided Walking Tour of 18th-Century PA Architecture. Step back in time and explore the charming streets of Carlisle, where centuries-old buildings whisper stories of patriotism, resilience, and everyday life. From stately stone houses to Revolutionary War-era taverns, these landmarks aren't just architectural gems—they're tangible connections to a rich and riveting past. The tour includes sidewalk views only. The buildings are not open to the public.
5. Visit the Cumberland County Liberty Bell at Veterans Memorial Courtyard on the Square.

Today, we suggest exploring the Shippensburg and West Shore areas, followed by this evening’s signature event. There’s plenty to see and do for history lovers and casual visitors alike.

Signature Event @ 7 pm: Free Movie & Lecture

The West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland hosts a showing of From Sea to Shining Sea: Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of America the Beautiful. This film explores the life of poet, professor, and social reformer Katharine Lee Bates, author of AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL. Inspired by the sweeping vistas of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains she saw from Colorado’s Pike’s Peak in 1893, Bates penned lyrics that reflect both a love for her country and a desire for reform, while honoring generations of Americans striving toward its most compelling ideals. The 40-minute film will be followed by a lecture from Matthew March, Education Director at the Cumberland County Historical Society, who will discuss life in Cumberland County during the Revolutionary War era.

This event is free. No registration is required. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Other Highlighted Activities

Shippensburg Area

Start your day with the launch party for the 2026 Cumberland Valley Coffee & Chocolate Trail at King & Saint Cafe, 512 W. King Street. Stop by with your friends anytime between 9 am and 10 am and enjoy a free coffee and pastry when you sign up for the mobile-exclusive passport trail during the launch. Then head out to explore events at these locations.

1. Shippensburg History Center, 52 W. King Street. Enjoy refreshments, displays, and living history demonstrations from 11 am to 5 pm.
2. Widow Piper’s Tavern, 352 E. King Street. Before the Carlisle Courthouse was built, the Widow Piper's Tavern was used for Cumberland County court sessions from 1750 to 1751. It was built around 1735 by Samuel Perry and is believed to be among the earliest west of the Susquehanna River. The building was being used as a tavern by Widow Piper by 1740 and was probably Shippensburg's earliest public house. Enjoy free tours from 2 pm to 5 pm. NOTE: Visitors will need to climb stairs to reach the second floor.
3. Fashion Archives & Museum Sneak Peek, 501 N. Earl Street. Museum Director Karin Bohlecke shares what is involved with putting an exhibit together and provides a sneak peek at some of the clothing, accessories, and other objects that will be featured in the upcoming exhibit, Happy Birthday! America’s Milestone Celebrations from Lafayette to Today. Visit from 10:30 am to 4 pm.

West Shore Area (Eastern Part of the County)

1. West Shore Historical Society, 939 Kranzel Drive, Camp Hill: The official historical society for the townships of Lower Allen, Fairview, Silver Spring, and Hampden and the Boroughs of Lemoyne, New Cumberland, and Wormleysburg, WSHS is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the heritage, landmarks, and artifacts relevant to these municipalities. Open 11 am to 3 pm.
2. Historic Peace Church, corner of Trindle and St. John’s Church Roads, Camp Hill. Erected in 1798 by a Reformed congregation. It has been kept in its original form and is used for special events and services throughout the year. During the Civil War, the church was used as by the Confederates as an artillery position on June 28 & 29, 1863, in the days leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg. Tour the church from 11 am to 3 pm and see the wine-glass pulpit that rises over 9 feet off the floor and the 200-year-old Conrad Doll organ.
3. The Fred Korematsu Story @ Messiah University: The J. Sherwood McGinnis, Jr. War, Peace, and Justice Project presents The Fred Korematsu Story as part of "We the People: An American Experience Through the Lens of the US Constitution." Fred Korematsu was probably never more American than when he resisted, and then challenged in court, the forced incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Korematsu lost his landmark Supreme Court case in 1944, but never his indignation and resolve. Of Civil Wrongs and Rights is the story of how he was vindicated decades later on proof that the government lied to the Court, turning a civil injustice into a civil rights victory. This Emmy-award winning documentary will be followed by discussion with guest panelists.

Today we are back in Carlisle for the final events of our three-day celebration.

Signature Event, 1 pm to 3 pm: Rally-style Gathering with America250PA

Join us at the Old Courthouse for the official kick-off celebration with America250PA, featuring a presentation from the Washingtonburg Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard, opening remarks from American250PA, speeches by local dignitaries, and more (details to come).

Stop by the Old Courthouse in Carlisle beginning at 1 pm, check out the Cumberland County Liberty Bell in the courtyard, enjoy complimentary appetizers and snacks, and then head upstairs to the courtroom for the ceremony, beginning at 1:30 pm. 

Other Highlighted Activities

1. If you didn’t have a chance to explore Carlisle on Tuesday, now is the time to check out the Cumberland County Historical Society, Old Public Graveyard, the Carlisle History Walk, or the self-guided architectural tour. (See details above.)
2. Enola Miller House and Historical Society of East Pennsboro, 51 Miller Street, Enola. Originally built in 1841 and on Cumberland County’s Register of Historic Places, the building was relocated to the corner of Miller and First Streets in April 2021 and is now owned by the Historical Society of East Pennsboro. Tour the mountain stone house, which was the birthplace of Enola Miller, a namesake of the community. Be sure to visit the small museum adjacent to the house to see artifacts that preserve East Pennsboro Township’s history.
3. The Fred Korematsu Story @ Shippensburg University: The J. Sherwood McGinnis, Jr. War, Peace, and Justice Project presents The Fred Korematsu Story as part of "We the People: An American Experience Through the Lens of the US Constitution." Fred Korematsu was probably never more American than when he resisted, and then challenged in court, the forced incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Korematsu lost his landmark Supreme Court case in 1944, but never his indignation and resolve. Of Civil Wrongs and Rights is the story of how he was vindicated decades later on proof that the government lied to the Court, turning a civil injustice into a civil rights victory. This Emmy-award-winning documentary will be followed by a discussion with guest panelists. 7 pm to 9 pm.