Franklin County Historical Society-Kittochtinny

09/03/2026

It's newsletter day! On a regular basis we send out our Crossed Keys Newsletter to our members. Typically it features a spotlight on ongoing volunteer work, recent acquisitions, new members, an older news segment, recaps of a recent event, plus updates on our upcoming events! Newsletters are received either digitally or physically to our members' preferences. Shandra, our Operations Manager puts the format together every issue and is assisted by our amazing volunteers to help fold and prep our physicals copies to be mailed out. We also have kept a copy of every single newsletter the historic society has ever produced - which are available for viewing in our genealogy library. If your interested in receiving a copy yourself, sign up to be a member today!

09/01/2026

Our tea with Founding Mother Betsy Ross will be September 19 at the Franklin County Visitor's Bureau, starting 2:00pm. Tickets are $45. Join us for this historic encounter!

Click this link to get your ticket and sign up: https://franklinctyhistoricalsociety.company.site/Betsy-Ross-Tea-2026-p853674409?fbclid=IwY2xjawToUm1wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWxWMnJzSXVGTUpuVXlYblVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeUZFY4pXYXZHiLIsHxXfEpMy2rV5mHtXslpmlErH1Kqrgp8SK3yQWVi2NeXQ_aem_HVWQZoelt5XN3fC3w4VcBQ

08/29/2026

We are just around 3 weeks out from our Tea with Betsy Ross! Get your tickets now to secure your spot!

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 […]

08/25/2026

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.

----
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."

----
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.

----
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.