Chambersburg Remembers & Rebuilds: 1864 Commemoration Celebrates Spirit

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites the public to commemorate the remarkable history of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and honor the resilient citizens of 1864 at the 1864 Ransoming, Burning, and Rebirth of Chambersburg event on July 20, 2024.

This commemoration celebrates the community spirit and the remarkable recovery of Chambersburg from the ashes of destruction. Despite appearing as an ordinary town with tree-lined streets and historic architecture, Chambersburg’s history of July 30, 1864, sets it apart.

On a hot day in 1864, Confederate General John McCausland and his officers arrived in Chambersburg, demanding a ransom of $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in Yankee dollars to spare the town from burning. Unable to raise the ransom, nearly twelve blocks of Chambersburg were set ablaze, leaving over 2,000 citizens homeless and destroying over 500 structures. This year marks the 160th anniversary of that fateful day.

Event Highlights:

• 9 AM – 4 PM: Old Market Day fills the streets with over 100 stalls featuring art, crafts, festival food, and sidewalk sales. Entertainment is available at Courthouse Plaza.
• 10 AM – 4 PM: The Franklin County Historical Society celebrates Louisa Brand, an 1864 resident who defied Confederate soldiers by wrapping herself in the American flag. Her flag is displayed in the Burning of Chambersburg exhibit.
• 9 AM – 8 PM: The Franklin County Visitors Bureau offers a children’s area with crafts, a ball pit, and a video vault airing recent FCVB-TV episodes. Participate in a selfie station and enter to win a local gift basket.
• 4 PM – 9 PM: The Chambersburg Volunteer Fireman’s Museum is open for free tours, showcasing the 1850 hose cart from the Friendship Fire Company.
• 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Evening horse and wagon tours highlight historical properties from 1864. Free rides are available, with donations accepted for Homeless Matters and Habitat for Humanity.
• 5:30 PM – 8 PM: Enjoy food vendors including Copper Fox Coffee, Boost Burger, and more. Dine at local eateries along Main Street.
• 6 PM – 8:30 PM: Celebrate the 10th anniversary of A Cappella & Unplugged with the 2024 Finals competition. Audience members vote for their favorite performance, with the winner receiving $500.
• 8:45 PM: Watch the historical re-enactment and light show depicting the 1864 Ransoming, Burning, and Rebirth of Chambersburg on the steps of the 1865 Franklin County Courthouse. Bring a lawn or stadium chair; the event is rain or shine.

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau encourages everyone to explore the rich history, arts, architecture, and natural beauty of Franklin County, PA. Conveniently located just north of the Mason-Dixon Line, it is an easy drive from Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.