Kauffman, Irvin, Reichard Announce $100,000 Grant for Franklin County Historical Society

June 5, 2025

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) today approved a $100,000 grant for the Franklin County Historical Society – Kittochtinny, announced state Reps. Rob Kauffman (R-Chambersburg), Rich Irvin (R-Shippensburg) and Chad Reichard (R-Waynesboro), who each advocated for the grant.

The funding will be used for three core tasks: protecting fragile artifacts; preserving a historic structure, including writings and artwork etched in the walls; and creating a more visitor-friendly exhibit space. Specifically, a climate control system will be installed in the 1881 cellblock at Chambersburg’s Old Jail, stabilizing temperature and humidity to preserve the building and historic collections maintained by the historical society.

The historical society is housed in the Old Jail on King Street in Chambersburg. The society offers tours of the Old Jail and John Brown House Museums, as well as access to the extensive Franklin County Genealogy Library.

“We each support the efforts of the Franklin County Historical Society to preserve these important buildings and artifacts,” said Kauffman, Irvin and Reichard. “The Old Jail and the John Brown House are both significant to the rich history of Franklin County. We are pleased this grant has been approved and these treasures will be further protected for future generations to learn from and enjoy.”

The funding was awarded under the PHMC’s Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grant program, which supports projects that rehabilitate, restore or preserve historic resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. 

You can learn more about the Franklin County Historical Society – Kittochtinny at franklinhistorical.org.


Representative Rob Kauffman
89th District
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840, tlehman@pahousegop.com

Representative Chad Reichard
90th Legislative District
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374, ggross@pahousegop.com

Representative Rich Irvin
81st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepIrvin.com / Facebook.com/RepIrvin