Franklin County Historical Society-Kittochtinny

08/25/2026

Henry Fletcher was born in Greencastle in 1873 but seldom stayed in Franklin County for very long. Fletcher served eight presidents during the course of his life, from Theodore Roosevelt to Harry Truman. His many notable achievements include joining Roosevelt's Rough Riders during the Spanish American War and serving as Ambassador to Chile, Mexico, Belgium, and Italy. In 1934 Fletcher also became the chairman of the Republican National Committee.

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Interested in learning more about local history? Schedule a tour at the Old Jail or the John Brown House by calling 717-246-1667. We also offer genealogy resources both on our website and in person. We are open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

08/24/2026

Due to the renovation of our archives and collections spaces, we are NOT currently accepting donations at this time, thank you.

08/21/2026

Spooky season is near and we're looking for volunteers to assist with the Haunted Jail! Interested individuals or groups should contact Neil at [email protected]

There is an informational meeting Wednesday September 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM at THE OLD JAIL 175 E. King St.

08/19/2026

This past Wednesday - August 12, 2026 FCHS hosted Revolutionary Music Bingo Hidden Key Brewing Co. Special thanks to them and Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center for providing prize items. Thank you to Deb M. for organizing the event!

08/18/2026

Lavinia Dock (1858-1956) was the sister of Mira Dock, the first female staff member at the Pennsylvania State Forestry Academy. Lavinia's calling was nursing to Mira's environmentalism, having graduated from the Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in 1886 and offering aid in the aftermath of the Johnstown Flood. In addition to writing multiple medical textbooks, Lavinia was also an avid suffragette and picketed for both the Triangle Shirtwaist Strike and the National Women's Party. In retirement she lived with her four sisters in a house in Fayetteville nicknamed "Little Graeffenburg."

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Interested in learning more about local history? Schedule a tour at the Old Jail or the John Brown House by calling 717-246-1667. We also offer genealogy resources both on our website and in person. We are open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

08/12/2026

https://fcfreepresspa.com/franklin-county-historical-society-presents-tea-with-founding-mother-betsy-ross/

Join us for tea with Betsy Ross!

The Franklin County Historical Society Kittochtinny invites the community to enjoy an afternoon of history and tea with Founding Mother: Betsy Ross on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the […]

08/11/2026

Patrick Gass was a resident of Franklin County whose involvement in national affairs spanned nearly a century. Born in Falling Spring in 1771, he worked as a carpenter's apprentice until the turn of the century and helped to build the home of James Buchanan, Sr. in Mercersburg (father of future president James Buchanan). He was a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition (and published his journal of his travels 1807) and fought in the War of 1812 just years later. At age 90, he tried to enlist in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Gass died in Wellsburg, WV in 1870 at age 99. He was the last surviving member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery - a term coined by Gass.

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Interested in learning more about local history? Schedule a tour at the Old Jail or the John Brown House by calling 717-246-1667. We also offer genealogy resources both on our website and in person. We are open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

08/08/2026

Confederate Lt. Col. Benjamin Carter stayed at the house of Jeremiah George in New Franklin after being badly wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg. Union soldiers later took Carter and other wounded Confederates to Chambersburg, where he died on July 21, 1863, at the Academy Hospital on King Street.

Carter had requested a Christian burial shortly before he died, which was granted to him by the Methodist Church at 2nd and Washington. However, in 1896 the church sold the burial lots to expand their building and the bodies interred were transferred to Cedar Grove Cemetery. The Sons of Confederate Veterans and United Daughters of the Confederacy hosted a headstone dedication and memorial service for Carter at Cedar Grove on April 10, 2010 (below).

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Interested in learning more about local history? Schedule a tour at the Old Jail or the John Brown House by calling 717-246-1667. We also offer genealogy resources both on our website and in person. We are open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

08/06/2026

FCHS is pleased to present tea with Founding Mother Betsy Ross on September 19, 2026!

The event will be at 2:00pm at the Franklin County Visitors Bureau. Tickets are $45. Click this link to sign up: https://franklinctyhistoricalsociety.company.site/Betsy-Ross-Tea-2026-p853674409

08/01/2026

Located in Cove Gap, is the once named Trout Run, today this same body of water is referred to as Buck Run. This run fed into the Cove Gap water well and pump that was located in the center of town. You can explore parts of Buck Run in the Buchanan's Birthplace State Park where it runs parallel to Stoney Batter Road.

These specific images are known as Stereographs developed, first in the 1850s, they are two almost identical images placed side-by-side. When viewed using a Stereoscope, they show as one singular 3-D image. Stereographs became popular souvenirs for tourists during their travels.

To read up more on Stereographs you can visit the Library of Congress' site at https://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/stereo/background.html

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Interested in learning more about local history? Schedule a tour at the Old Jail or the John Brown House by calling 717-246-1667. We also offer genealogy resources both on our website and in person. We are open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.