PCN Features Franklin County Courthouse
Chambersburg, PA (PRWEB) August 15, 2014 -- The historic and beautiful 1865 Franklin County Courthouse is featured in an August edition of Pennsylvania’s Historic Courthouses, a Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) series about the landmark county courthouses of Pennsylvania. The segment, slated to air on Thursday, August 28, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 30, at 2 p.m., is narrated by long-standing Franklin County Commissioner Bob Thomas and the first female judge of Franklin County, Carol Van Horn. The thirty-minute segment shares the history of the classic Greek revival courthouse, the county's founding story, and segments of American history that played out within steps of the 1865 seat of justice--most notably the 1864 Confederate burning of the existing Franklin County courthouse. Inside the courthouse, PCN shows the simple beauty of the courthouse--the rich wooden staircase with its elegant curvature, the expansive hallway on the main floor, the inner-workings of the clock tower, and the magnificence of Courtroom 1.
The Franklin County Commissioners are hosting a special airing of the PCN segment and a public open house of Courtroom 1 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on August 22. Franklin County Commissioner Chairman David Keller said, "I hope the public will join us on August 22 to see first-hand why the Franklin County courthouse is a Pennsylvania landmark. On its own, the building commands attention and respect. Those entering it realize it is not ordinary and the work done therein is not ordinary. The Franklin County Courthouse inspires respect."
The 1865 Franklin County Courthouse was built to replace the previous 1842 courthouse, which was burnt by the Confederate troops of General John McCausland when Chambersburg, PA could not pay a ransom demand of $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in Yankee currency. The courthouse is a two-and-one-half story, brick structure erected on the footprint of its predecessor. In its construction, the builders recycled the unburned columns of the 1842 courthouse and the useable bricks and fixtures. A prominent element of the Franklin County courthouse is the statue of Benjamin Franklin, for whom the county is named, on top of the clock cupola. The original Franklin from the courthouse cupola is 8-feet tall, weighs more than 250 lbs., and is gold-leafed; it resides in the Chambersburg Heritage Center across the street from the courthouse. The Benjamin Franklin atop the courthouse is a fiberglass casting of the original and is weather-worthy.
Pennsylvania’s Historic Courthouses is a joint-effort of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) and PCN to portray the history, architecture, and many stories of the Commonwealth's county courthouses. Franklin County was selected through a competitive process earlier this year, and the segment taped in May 2014. "We are proud of our Franklin County Courthouse and excited to highlight its beauty and heritage with friends and neighbors throughout Pennsylvania," said Commissioner Keller.
For additional information on the courthouse and the PCN segment, visit DoDineStayFranklinCountyPA.com/Courthouse..
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau connects people to great moments in Franklin County by sharing its history, recreation, relaxation, entertainment, dining, and hospitality.
Janet Pollard, Franklin County Visitors Bureau, http://www.ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com, +1 717-552-2977 Ext: 103, [email protected]
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