Connect to the Civil War in a whole new way

The Pennsylvania Civil War Trails are a living, breathing discovery of our great struggle. From battlefields and museums to Story Stops and living history artists, this is not merely a deeper look at Lincoln, Lee, and Meade, but a journey to the margins as well. Here the small towns and families who endured our most personal war are the heroes, and you’re right in their midst.

We’ve developed two road trips through the south central portion of our state to guide your exploration of the momentous events of June 22nd to July 4th, 1863.

The first – The Road to Harrisburg – tells the experience of different towns as they tried to resist the advance of Confederate forces. The second – The Road to Gettysburg – looks at how, why, and when Union troops were sent in to defend the area, which eventually culminated in the Battle of Gettysburg.

These two vantage points are brought to life along the way through numerous Story Stop points of interest, each of which is connected to a nearby attraction, restaurant, or retail property in historic towns like Chambersburg, York, Carlisle, and Columbia.
 

Earn stuff with your passport, learn stuff through your quest

Be sure to download your Passport to History as well, to earn commemorative trail prizes after you have it stamped at a certain number of Story Stops. The more you see, the better prizes you’ll receive.

Make your Civil War Trails experience even more vivid with some of the Quest for Freedom stories about the Underground Railroad and different African-American patriots throughout the area.
 

Avis and Amtrak make it easy to hit the trails

Now it’s simpler than ever to take a road trip along these scenic trails, thanks to an alliance between Avis, Amtrak, and the Dutch Country Roads region.

Just visit Amtrak – the principle national transportation carrier for the Civil War Trails – to make your rail reservations for Lancaster, Pa., the eastern gateway to the trails area.

Then use the special reservation code AWD#G727100 at Avis – the official rental car for the program – and you’ll have a car waiting at the Lancaster railway station, complete with printed trail information, maps, and a Passport.  You can also get a pre-programmed GPS unit of trail stops for a nominal add-on cost. (This same Avis service may be added to the Harrisburg Amtrak station in the near future.)


If you’d like to receive a complimentary copy of the trails brochure and map through the mail, please fill out the short form here.

So get a jump start on your Civil War Trails road trip adventure today, and go from zero to 150 years per hour in an instant!
 

Honor. Glory. Remembrance

U.S. Colored Troops - Grand Review Commemoration
November 1 - 19, 2010

In May of 1865 the Union's armies were invited to a Grand Review of the U.S. Troops and an honor's all at the nation's capital but despite their valiant service, U.S. Colored Troops were not invited to participate. In the fall of that same year, African American women, members of the national "William Garnett Society", helped to organize a U.S. Colored Troops Grand Review and Ball in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A procession was staged from the Soldier's Grove opposite today's Capitol Complex to the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion for the official review of the troops.

Join us in November of this year to celebrate this historic event and consider participating in workshops, wreath-laying ceremonies, a grand ball (in conjunction with the City of Harrisburg's 150th Anniversary), symposiums, luncheons and of course, the signature event - the U.S. Colored Troops Grand Review Commemoration!  Additionally, a massive effort is underway to restore the muster rolls from the civil war troops and assist families with their genealogy to trace their involvement with a U.S. Colored Troop.

Please visit  this page again over the upcoming months to learn more specific and updated details such as dates, locations, how to register, etc. We look forward to welcoming you to Harrisburg and sharing our stories with you!