Cumberland County Historical Society
and the 
Hamilton Library Association
21 North Pitt Street 
P.O.Box 626 
Carlisle, PA 17013 
(717) 249-7610 or 249-6931 
FAX (717) 258-9332 

Two Mile House
1189 Walnut Bottom Road 
(717) 243-3437 
 

See our "E-mail Us" for specific routing electronic mail addresses. 

General inquiries only, E-mail to info@historicalsociety.com


Index

Mission
The Purpose of the Cumberland County Historical Society is : 
"To collect, preserve, interpret and promote research of the history of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, from the first Native Americans to the present". 
 

Hours
 
CCHS Museum and Library Hours
  Monday                                          4:00pm - 8:00pm  
  Tuesday through Friday                   10:00am - 4:00pm
  Saturday                                         10:00am - 2:00pm
  Office Hours : Monday - Friday       8:00am-  4:00pm
  Groups by appointment 
 
 
 
 
 
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS



 Monday, May 31, 2010
 Monday, July 5, 2010

 

During winter months, CCHS will observe the 
same delayed opening schedule as the Carlisle School District. 
Closings are dictated by the severity of the weather. 
If in doubt, call 717-249-7610 for closing information. 
 
 

Two Mile House
  Open Wednesdays 1:00pm - 4:00pm and by special appointment May through December.

Directions

  • Maps / Parking Information

  •  

     
     






    Parking Information
    The map below shows CCHS with its free but limited parking behind the facility as well as metered parking nearby at the U.S. Post Office. Other parking is available at the Pomfret Street Parking Garage.
     

    For an even more detailed map sketching of 
    downtown Carlisle, click here.



  • Directions to the Cumberland County Historical Society :
    • From I-76 (Turnpike):

    • Take Exit 52 South to Carlisle. 
      Make a right at bottom of exit ramp. 
      At 7th traffic light turn right on High Street. 
      Go one block and turn right on North Pitt Street - 
      red brick building on right hand side. To park, 
      go beyond building to alley, make a right and then 
      a right into lot behind building. 
       
    • From I-81 Northbound reflecting new Interstate exit numbers:

    • Take Exit 47 W (Hanover Street) north to Carlisle. 
      At 5th traffic light turn left on High Street. 
      Go one block and turn right on North Pitt Street - 
      red brick building on right hand side. To park, 
      go beyond building to alley, make a right and then 
      a right into lot behind building. 
       
    • From I-81 Southbound:

    • Take Exit 49 - High Street. 
      Stay to right at bottom of exit ramp. 
      At 7th traffic light turn right on North Pitt 
      Street - red brick building on right hand side.
      To park, go beyond building to alley, make a right 
      and then a right into lot behind building. 
       
    • From Rt. 34 Southbound (from Perry County):

    • After passing Masland Carpets on the right and 
      crossing the railroad tracks and staying towards 
      the right onto North Hanover Street, 
      At third traffic light, turn right on West High 
      Street, 
      Take next right on North Pitt Street - red brick 
      building on right hand side. To park, go beyond 
      building to alley, make a right and then a right 
      into lot behind building. 
       
    • From Rt. 34 Northbound (from Mt. Holly,

    • Gettysburg, York Springs): 
      After going under the I-81 overpass, at the 5th 
      traffic light turn left on West High Street. 
      Take the next right to North Pitt Street - red 
      brick building on right hand side. To park, go 
      beyond building to alley, make a right and then a 
      right into lot behind building. 
       
    • From Rt. 641 (Newville Road):

    • Make a right under the railroad overpass. 
      Make a left at light to West High Street. 
      At 5th traffic light make a left on North Pitt 
      Street - red brick building on right hand side. 
      To park, go beyond building to alley, make a right 
      and then a right into lot behind building. 
       
    • From Rt. 11 Eastbound - Shippensburg, Chambersburg

    • (Carlisle or Ritner Pike or Molly Pitcher Highway): 
      After passing where Rt. 641 comes into Rt. 11, 
      Proceed on West High Street and at 5th traffic 
      light. 
      Make a left on North Pitt Street - red brick 
      building on right hand side. To park, go beyond 
      building to alley, make a right and then a right 
      into lot behind building. 
       
    • From Rt. 641 Westbound (from Mechanicsburg):

    • After going under the I-81 overpass, 
      At 7th traffic light turn right on North Pitt 
      Street - red brick building on right hand side. To 
      park, go beyond building to alley, make a right 
      and then a right into lot behind building. 
       
    • From Rt. 74 (Boiling Springs and Allenberry):

    • Take Forge Road or Rt. 74 North towards Carlisle. 
      After going under the I-81 overpass you are on 
      Old York Rd. 
      Continue to light at "T" and make a left to East 
      High Street. 
      At 6th traffic light make a right on North Pitt 
      Street - red brick building on right hand side. 
      To park, go beyond building to alley, make a right 
      and then a right into lot behind building. 
       
    • From Rt. 74 Southbound (Waggoners' Gap):

    • At "T" in road make a right. 
      Continue to West High Street, make a left. 
      At 2nd traffic light turn left on North Pitt 
      Street - red brick building on right hand side. 
      To park, go beyond building to alley, make a right 
      and then a right into lot behind building.
  • To the Two Mile House : 

  • Easy access from Route 81 
    If heading South on Route 81 take exit 45, turn left; if heading North take exit 45 and turn right. 
    Proceed on the Walnut Bottom Road.
Admission
CCHS
  • Members of CCHS are admitted free 
  • $5.00 library user fee (non-members) 
  • Students are admitted free 
  • Museum and special exhibits free to the public 
  • A docent is required for Museum touring
  • Please call for group tour arrangements 
The Two Mile House
  • Free to the public 
  • We welcome group tours, please call for appointment and fee schedule. 

Accessibility

   The Historical Society and the Two Mile House are accessible to 
handicapped visitors. 
Parking is also available at both sites. 
 

History of the Cumberland County Historical Society

When James Hamilton, Jr., died in 1873, he left no heirs but he did leave a legacy that has benefited historians and residents of Cumberland County for more than a century. In his will he bequeathed a sum of $2,000 and a sixty-foot square lot in downtown Carlisle for the establishment of a library. 

James Hamilton, Jr., graduated from Dickinson College in 1812. Following in his father's footsteps, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1816. He was described as "a respected lawyer and a person of affluent circumstances who preferred living a quiet and retired life". 

In writing the constitution of the Library, Hamilton's executors interpreted his wishes. They were explicit that the Library was for "the advancement of literature and the elucidation and preservation of the history of Cumberland County. Accordingly on April 17, 1874, a "Hamilton Library and Historical Association of Cumberland County" was proposed, making the Society one of the first county historical societies established in Pennsylvania. 

After the first fund raiser, a well publicized, "Grand Concert" held in the local Opera House, the building "a very pretty and suitable structure of brick and two-storied", was underway by the late spring of 1881. 

For about 75 years the Society's primary efforts were directed toward the development of the research library and the reading of historical papers. During these years, however, the Society also acquired items, through gifts, that were displayed in the reading room and in available space on the second floor. The areas eventually evolved into gallery space. 

After World War II development of a more effective museum became a priority. Building expansions provided additional space. Efforts to build the museum collections received generous support from the community. In the 1970s exhibits were developed, modern record keeping and conservation practices led the way for an active exhibition program. 

During the 1980s the Society's financial base was enhanced by an endowment campaign to hire professional staff. The endowment continues to grow today under the guidance of an active Board of Directors. 

Growth in activities has also resulted from the educational partnership with the county's school districts established in 1989. The Society was designated as the official Historical Society for the county by the County Commissioners. In 1992 The Two Mile House was bequeathed to the Society by Mary Wheeler King. 

Increased visitation, membership and volunteers as well as increases to the Society's collections during the last three decades caused a need for more space. The Society completed a three-year capital campaign in 1996 to expand its building on Pitt Street. In 1997 the new addition was opened and doubled the size of the Society's home. 


 
 


Cumberland County Historical Society
Group Museum Tours

A typical visit to the Historical Society lasts about 1½ hours.   Once the bus arrives, the visiting group enters and is welcomed (about 15 minutes). Next, a docent will guide your group through Cumberland County history for approximately 45 minutes.  Following that, visitors can take a half-hour on their own to visit changing exhibits or go next door to our museum shop, History on High.

Tours can be customized for length and content.  Please contact the museum curator at 717-249-7610 to arrange tours.

2009 group fees for bus groups of 15 or more are $ 5 per person.

The Historical Society’s hours are:
 
Monday  3 - 9 p.m.
Tue. – Fri.  10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday  10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

 

History on High – The Shop is open:
 
Mon. – Wed.  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thurs. – Fri.  10 a.m. – 7 p.m
Saturday  10 a.m. -  3 p.m.

Please note:

  • A two-week advance registration is required.
  • Tour fees are paid at the front desk upon arrival.
  • Checks are payable to CCHS.
  • No photography is allowed in the museum.
  • Food and drink are not allowed in the museum.
  • To reserve street parking, please call ahead.
  • Please call at least 24 hours ahead for cancellations.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Group Tour Reservation Form


Date of Tour: Date Reservation Taken:
Time of Tour: Date Form Mailed:
Organization: Phone:                                                        Cell:
Contact Person: Email:
Address:  City:
State: Zip: 
Maximum number anticipated for tour: Length of time on site (based upon maximum number anticipated):
Tour Fee:  Docents available:
Group Information:
Type of Group (circle appropriate) :  Adults     Seniors     Children     Family     Other
Special Requirements (circle appropriate):  Wheel Chair     Difficulty in Walking     Hearing      ImpairedVisually      Impaired     Other
Transportation (circle appropriate):  Bus   Van    Auto    How many vehicles?
Remember: 
  • Include everyone who will be taking a tour.
  • Arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time.
  • Your group will be divided by site staff upon arrival.
  • Accommodating late arrival is at the discretion of site staff. 
  • Arriving more than 30 minutes late may forfeit your reservation.
  • To reserve street parking, please arrange prior to day of tour.


If you feel that you are not going to arrive on time, the tour number changes, or if you need to cancel your reservation, please call (717) 249-7610.

My signature indicates I have read and agree to the terms and conditions of the tour reservation.  I understand CCHS staff may revoke this reservation if the terms and conditions are violated, including arrival on site 30 minutes or more past the stated arrival time.

Signature: __________________________________________________ 

Date: ____________________________________________________
 

Complete, sign and return a copy of this form to:

CCHS
PO Box 626
Carlisle, PA  17013. 

We look forward to your visit to the Cumberland County Historical Society.