Franklin County Visitors Bureau Set For Transformative 2018

As 2017 slips into the past, Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) looks ahead to a transformative 2018. In 2017, FCVB celebrated the tenth anniversary of ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com and the Franklin County Visitors Guide, the two cornerstones of promoting what to see and do, where to dine, and where to stay in Franklin County PA. In 2018, promotion will take another step forward as FCVB begins renovations of the 1865 bank building at 15 South Main Street. The building, formerly the National Bank of Chambersburg and later the National Valley Bank and Trust Company, is the next cornerstone in the FCVB mission to make the public aware of Franklin County as a destination. FCVB purchased the bank building in December 2016, developed the reuse plans throughout 2017, and will open the 11/30 Welcome Center and new home of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau in fall 2018.

The 11/30 Center derives its names from the intersection of Route 11, one of the oldest north-south arteries, and Route 30-the oldest east-west American road. The 11/30 Center's location, on the southwest quadrant of the Chambersburg diamond, gives a fertile vantage point of centuries of history, culture, and commerce. The 11/30 Center along with the Franklin County Courthouse, Memorial Square, Memorial Fountain, and the Chambersburg Heritage Center are at the heart of the Chambersburg Historic District.

With the opening of FCVB's 11/30 Center, FCVB will continue telling stories of history and humanity and the sharing the county's bounty of healthy fresh foods, outdoor recreation and inspiring art and architecture. The opening exhibits of the 11/30 Center will feature:

• Franklin County Bridges, including both wooden-trussed, covered bridges and stone arch bridges
• A Tribute to World War I, using the letters and local story of a Chambersburg solder
• Franklin Fresh, highlighting Franklin County as a leading producer of apples, vegetables, peaches, and milk in Pennsylvania's breadbasket
• On the Move, showcasing the many ways to enjoy outdoor recreation and beauty across the county with featured destinations for hiking, biking, walking, skiing, golfing, fishing and birding.
• Artisans at Work, spotlighting the inspiration of Franklin County and the prolific multi-media art forms and performances it helps create.

In addition to rotating exhibits, the 11/30 Center will feature a catalog of itineraries for visitors to explore Franklin County. New itineraries will be added each month. Videos to showcase the county's history, beauty, and culture will be shown daily in one of the bank's repurposed vaults. Children will enjoy hands-on activities and interactive technologies as they learn and plan how to explore Franklin County. Each month will also include public presentations and activities and bus tours of Franklin County, the South Mountain region, and adjoining areas, offered at no-to-minimum charge.

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Discover more. Plan a visit soon at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or by contacting 866.646.8060.

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