Franklin County played an important role in the Underground Railroad. It’s location on the Mason-Dixon Line signaled escaping slaves entry through the north, and the mountainous terrain afforded numerous hiding places in caves and wooded areas.

“Over the years I've heard research historians refer to South Central Pennsylvania as ground zero of the Underground Railroad. Over the years I've heard research historians refer to South Central Pennsylvania as ground zero of the Underground Railroad, “said Janet Pollard, Executive Director of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.

John Brown was an abolitionist who participated in the Underground Railroad and helped to protect escaped slaves from slave catchers.

“In aiding those enslaved individuals well we had of course this area Chambersburg was the northern headquarters of John Brown when he planned his raid for Harper's Ferry so he launched from the Kennedy farm but in Chambersburg is where he housed he housed some of his men that were part of his provincial government because he'd had a plan to establish different government secretaries of state secretaries of war he had different people that he had placed here and they were living in Chambersburg in the spring and even into the fall of 1859.”

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