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HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
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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 |
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Open Wednesdays 1:00pm - 4:00pm and by special appointment May through
December. |
Directions
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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.
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Directions to the Cumberland County Historical Society :
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Members of CCHS are admitted free
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$5.00 library user fee (non-members)
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Students are admitted free
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Museum and special exhibits free to the public
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A docent is required for Museum touring
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Please call for group tour arrangements
The Two Mile House
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Free to the public
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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:
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A two-week advance registration is required.
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Tour fees are paid at the front desk upon arrival.
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Checks are payable to CCHS.
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No photography is allowed in the museum.
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Food and drink are not allowed in the museum.
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To reserve street parking, please call ahead.
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Please call at least 24 hours ahead for cancellations.
