Celebrate America250PA in
Cumberland Valley

Brief History

In the 1730s, English, German, and Scots-Irish immigrants settled in the area of South Central Pennsylvania known as Cumberland County, also referred to as the Cumberland Valley, devoting their lives to farming the region's rich soil. The Widow Piper’s Tavern in Shippensburg was originally used as the courthouse until the Cumberland County Courthouse was built and the county seat was established in Carlisle. Named for Cumberland, England, and founded on January 27, 1750, Cumberland County now spans 555 square miles, featuring a mixture of urban communities and rich farmland.

Within a two-hour drive or less of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., Cumberland Valley is the perfect home base for you to join us as we celebrate Pennsylvania's leading role in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

Interesting Facts

• In 1753, Benjamin Franklin successfully negotiated a treaty with several Native American tribes in the Carlisle area.
• The Carlisle Barracks was established in 1757. It is the second oldest military post in the United States and is currently home to the U.S. Army War College.
• George Washington used Carlisle in 1794 as the site to muster troops for a march to western Pennsylvania as he attempted to quell the Whiskey Rebellion.
• Revolutionary War Generals William Thompson, William Irving, and John Armstrong called Cumberland County their home, and the legendary Revolutionary War heroine Mary Hays, better known as Molly Pitcher, lived and is buried in Carlisle. 
• The Cumberland County Courthouse, built in 1846, is a brick structure with sandstone columns and an impressive bell-and-clock tower. On July 1, 1863, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart demanded that Union General William Smith surrender, and he replied, "Shell and be damned." One of the columns bears the mark of the artillery barrage that followed before General Robert E. Lee ordered the Confederate cavalry unit to the Battle of Gettysburg.
• The Underground Railroad extended through Cumberland County, utilizing two main routes for fugitive slaves. One route passed through Pine Grove, Mt. Holly Springs, Boiling Springs, Mechanicsburg, and Harrisburg before heading north. The second route followed Walnut Bottom and Old York Roads before entering Boiling Springs and continuing to Harrisburg.

Things to Do

Events

Search for events throughout Cumberland Valley that celebrate history and America's semiquincentennial. Please view our online calendar for a complete list of events.

If you are interested in adding an America250PA event to our online calendar, click the button below.

Places to Visit

From historical sites and cemeteries to self-guided tours, fully immerse yourself in historical explorations at museums, historical sites, and more that provide an insightful glimpse into the past.

Explore More

Dive deeper into Cumberland County's history and historical attractions with these suggestions.

Lodging

Rest easy in our Cumberland Valley hotels, where you'll never grow tired of our hospitality! Search our hotels for something that fits your style and your budget.