Chambersburg’s 1864 Burning and Rebirth Portrayed in Living History Event

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau is staging its annual "1864 Ransoming, Burning & Rebirth of Chambersburg" living history portrayal on Saturday, July 18. The event aims to bring to life the town's dramatic past, focusing on the events of July 30, 1864, when Confederate forces ransomed and burned the town, and the subsequent resilience of its citizens.

The day begins at 9 a.m. with Old Market Day, a street festival featuring local arts, crafts, food, and music. Throughout the day, visitors can explore historical sites like the Masonic Temple, one of the few downtown buildings to survive the 1864 fire, and the Broad Street Fire Museum.

Evening activities commence at 5:30 p.m. with free horse and wagon rides. At 6 p.m., an interpretation titled "A Conversation with John Brown" will explore his time in Franklin County. Later, the finals of the A Cappella & Unplugged singing competition will take place.

The main event, starting at 9 p.m. in Memorial Square, uses lights, sound, and atmospheric effects to vividly depict the Confederate raid, the ransom demand, and the burning of Chambersburg. The portrayal concludes with the town's symbolic rebirth, highlighting the community spirit that rebuilt the area.