Chambersburg: Discover history, enjoy the outdoors

There are different ways to discover Chambersburg: Old Jail and the Chambersburg Heritage Center explore the history of the town and Franklin County. If you prefer spending time outdoors, the Chambersburg section of the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail offers a range of ways to get active; Memorial Park is characterized by mature trees and shaded areas. This raises a practical question when planning your trip: should your stay focus mainly on historical insights, or would you like to set aside time for outdoor activities?

History at Old Jail and the Heritage Center

Old Jail was built in 1818 and survived the burning of Chambersburg by Confederate troops in 1864. Today, several rooms in Old Jail and part of the newer cell block form a museum. Historical artifacts from Franklin County are on display there. Old Jail can only be visited as part of a guided tour, so a tour is required if you want to include this site in your itinerary. The visit brings together the historic building and exhibits from the county, without offering a self-guided tour of Old Jail.

The format is different at the Chambersburg Heritage Center: this self-guided interpretive center explains five areas of historical significance in Chambersburg and Franklin County through exhibits. You can explore the topics through the exhibits and decide for yourself how to engage with them. The center is located on Memorial Square in Chambersburg, in the National Historic District. It is housed in a renovated marble building dating from 1915, which was previously the Valley National Bank. Chambersburg therefore offers two different ways to explore its history: a guided tour at Old Jail and an independent exploration of several topics at the Heritage Center.

An annual festival of remembrance

ChambersFest is an annual festival commemorating Chambersburg’s rebirth after the town was burned on July 30, 1864, during the Civil War. The event gives the town’s history a place in the community’s life today. If you’re interested in local history and traditions, ChambersFest is another way to get to know Chambersburg. The festival commemorates a specific event and its significance to the town; the year refers to the burning, not to a particular festival date.

Exploring the Rail Trail and Memorial Park

The Chambersburg section of the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail is a 1.6-mile linear park. Activities there range from walking and jogging to cycling. Dog walking, skateboarding and inline skating are also among the options mentioned. This makes it easy to spend time outdoors in the way you prefer: on foot, running, cycling or skating. The 1.6-mile distance refers to the Chambersburg section of the trail and can help you plan your visit.

Chambersburg Memorial Park offers a different kind of outdoor experience. The park covers 37 acres and has numerous mature trees and many shaded areas. While the Rail Trail is associated with a range of active pursuits, the trees and shaded areas define the character of the park. If you’re deciding between a longer activity and spending time in a tree-filled park, these offer two different ways to enjoy your stay in Chambersburg.

Which side of Chambersburg suits your trip?

When choosing a vacation rental in Chambersburg, you can start by thinking about which of these sides will shape your stay. The history surrounding Old Jail, the Heritage Center and ChambersFest offers opportunities to learn about the town and Franklin County. The Rail Trail and Memorial Park, meanwhile, appeal to different interests in outdoor activity and spending time outside. If you’re traveling with others, you can weigh these preferences together when planning, without everyone having to choose the same activities. Chambersburg is especially worth considering as a destination if you’d like to include historical topics and a variety of outdoor activities in your plans.

For more ideas, you can also explore Shady Grove and Rouzerville.

For the broader travel overview: Franklin.