Cumberland County Historical

What Cumberland County Historical does

Cumberland County Historical Society (CCHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 21 N. Pitt Street in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of Cumberland County. With nine employees, the society operates the Museum of Cumberland County History, the Gardner Library and Archives, the History on High Museum Shop (online and at 33 W High Street), and historic venue rental properties including Two Mile House, Todd Hall, and the Cumberland Room. Its product surface spans permanent and rotating exhibitions, online exhibits, a digital archival catalog at cumberland.catalogaccess.com, classroom and homeschool outreach, summer camps, National History Day programming, genealogy research services, and a calendar of paid and free community events.

Revenue is generated through a diversified set of small streams: pay-what-you-can museum admissions, annual membership dues, event ticket sales and corporate sponsorships (e.g., the McLain Bash with $600-$3,500 sponsorship tiers), retail sales via the Square-powered History on High shop, venue rentals for weddings and private events, $5 non-member library user fees, speaking fees ($50 per event or $65 per hour), and donations across multiple designated funds. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight, relying on a WordPress website, Square e-commerce, calendar integrations (Google, iCalendar, Outlook), and a third-party catalog system rather than proprietary platforms.

CCHS serves primarily Cumberland County residents and visitors, with secondary audiences of regional schools, homeschool families, local businesses, and academic researchers. Its go-to-market is event-driven and direct-to-consumer, with community partnerships (Bosler Library, Mt Tabor Preservation Project, West Shore Historical Society, multiple colleges) extending reach. The society also oversees the County Register of Historic Places, lending quasi-official standing in local preservation matters, and participates in the national America250 programming through its CCHS 250 Exhibit series.

Name

Cumberland County Historical

Legal name

Cumberland County Historical Society

Website

https://historicalsociety.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cumberland County Historical Society is a Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a county history museum, research library, gift shop, and event venues, serving local residents, schools, researchers, and visitors with exhibitions, educational programs, and historic preservation services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historical Society and Museum Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (71212), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

History Museums (THAJADAB), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Historical society services
• Museum exhibits
• Archival research library
• Educational history programs
• Historic venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlisle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission: Pay-what-you-can admission model for museum visits, allowing universal access while generating voluntary contributions
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership program providing benefits and supporting operations
3. Event Tickets and Sponsorships: Revenue from McLain Bash ($20,100+ raised in 2025), Red White & Blue BBQ ($65-$85 tickets), speaking fees, and corporate sponsorships ranging $600-$3,500
4. Retail Sales: History on High Museum Shop sells merchandise; online shop at history-on-high.square.site
5. Venue Rentals: Two Mile House, Todd Hall, and Cumberland Room available for weddings and events rental
6. Donations and Endowments: General donations, annual appeal, and multiple designated funds including Two Mile House Fund, Museum Collections Care Fund, Archives and Library Collections Care Fund, Scholarships and Awards Fund, Endowment Fund
7. Research Services: $5 non-member user fee for library access; photo ordering services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cumberland County Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the Museum of Cumberland County History featuring permanent galleries and rotating exhibits (including the CCHS 250 series for America250), the Gardner Library and Archives for genealogical and historical research, the History on High Museum Shop (retail and online), historic venue rentals at Two Mile House and Todd Hall, and educational programs including classroom outreach, homeschool series, summer camps, and National History Day support. The society preserves and shares Cumberland County's heritage through exhibits, archival collections, community events, fundraisers such as the McLain Bash, and corporate sponsorship packages.

Product overview

Cumberland County Historical Society operates as a multi-faceted historical organization offering a unified portfolio of museum, educational, and research services. The core offerings center on the Museum of Cumberland County History featuring permanent and rotating exhibitions (including the CCHS 250 Exhibit series for America250), the Gardner Library and Archives for genealogical and historical research, and the History on High Museum Shop for merchandise sales. Supporting services include educational programming (Classroom Outreach, Homeschool Series, Summer Camps, National History Day), venue rentals (Two Mile House, Todd Hall, Cumberland Room), membership and donation programs, and historic preservation initiatives. The society also maintains an online presence with virtual exhibits and an e-commerce shop powered by Square. The organization serves as the regional cultural anchor for Cumberland County through its combined museum-visitor center-librarian-educator model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• History on High – The Shop: The museum shop operated by CCHS located at 33 W High St, Carlisle, PA, featuring historical items and the G.B. Stuart History Workshop.
• Museum of Cumberland County History
• Two Mile House & Garden
• Todd Hall/Pocket Park
• Gardner Library
• Cumberland Valley Visitor's Center

Products and services

• Museum of Cumberland County History The main museum facility offering self-guided tours through permanent galleries featuring the Carlisle Indian School, folk art (including Wilhelm Schimmel carvings), military history with Medal of Honor honoree stories, and additional focused exhibitions. Open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a pay-what-you-can admission model. Targeted at general visitors, families, and educational groups interested in Cumberland County history.
• Rotating Exhibits (CCHS 250 Exhibit Series) Temporary special exhibitions displayed throughout the year, including the CCHS 250 Exhibit series (Well Actually… Myths, History & Stories of Cumberland County; Protest & Resistance in Cumberland County; Material Curiosity: Interpreting America at 250) and rotating LGBTQ+ history exhibits. Targeted at museum visitors and community members.
• Permanent Exhibits Long-standing museum exhibitions covering the history of Cumberland County, including permanent galleries on the Carlisle Indian School, folk art, and military history. Targeted at museum visitors and educational groups.
• Gardner Library and Archives Research library and archives providing genealogical research services, highlighted collections access, photo ordering, and online catalog access. Open by appointment on Mondays 3-7PM, Thursdays and Fridays 10AM-4PM, and first Saturday of the month 10AM-2PM. Non-members pay a $5 user fee. Targeted at genealogists, academic researchers, and local historians.
• History on High Museum Shop On-site and online retail shop offering historical merchandise, books, and locally-made crafts. Operates both a physical location at 33 W High St, Carlisle, PA and an online store powered by Square. Targeted at museum visitors, gift purchasers, and online shoppers interested in local history merchandise.
• Two Mile House and Garden Historic venue rental property offering event space for weddings and private gatherings in a restored 18th-century stone house setting. Targeted at couples, wedding planners, and private event organizers.
• Classroom Outreach Educational programs delivered to schools, bringing history lessons directly to students through interactive presentations on topics including Early American Medicine, local history, and Native American history. Targeted at K-12 schools and homeschool families.
• Homeschool Series History education programming designed for homeschool families, covering topics such as Camp Michaux, George Washington, and America 250 celebrations. Free for family members; $10 for non-members. Targeted at homeschool families.
• Summer Camps Seasonal educational camps for children providing hands-on history learning experiences. Targeted at families and children in the Cumberland County region.
• National History Day Program Competition and support program for students participating in National History Day academic competitions. Targeted at K-12 students and teachers.
• Speaker Request Program Arranges talks and presentations by society staff and volunteers on topics related to Cumberland County history. Speaking fees are $50 per event (up to two hours) or $65 per hour depending on the speaker. Targeted at community groups, schools, and organizations.
• Cumberland Valley Visitor's Center Official visitor information center for the Cumberland Valley region, providing tourism resources and local information. Targeted at tourists and visitors to the Cumberland Valley.
• Membership Program Annual membership program providing benefits such as free or discounted access to events, library use, and other society perks. Targeted at individual supporters and families in the Cumberland County region.
• Venue Rentals (Todd Hall/Pocket Park and Cumberland Room) Rental spaces including Todd Hall/Pocket Park and Cumberland Room (alongside Two Mile House) for weddings, events, and private gatherings. Targeted at couples, event organizers, and corporate event hosts.
• Online Exhibits Digital versions of museum exhibitions accessible via the website for remote viewing. Targeted at remote visitors, researchers, and educational users unable to visit in person.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mt Tabor Preservation ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts Juneteenth Program with CCHS to commemorate Civil War veterans buried in Cedar Street Cemetery. Dr. John Bonin provides introduction and plaque unveiling. Partnership has led to National Register of Historic Places listing and Keystone State Marker grant in 2025.
• West Shore Historical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint hosting of Red, White & Blue BBQ event on August 22, 2026 at Peiffer Memorial Arboretum and Nature Preserve. Event supports both societies with catering by Mission BBQ, music by Shea Quinn, and America250 themed libations.
• M&T Charitable FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided support for Juneteenth Program commemorating Civil War veterans. Demonstrates corporate giving relationship supporting community heritage programming.
• Orrstown BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood Sponsor for McLain Bash 2026. Local financial institution supporting cultural events.
• M&Z Carpets and FlooringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBar Sponsor for McLain Bash 2026. Local business supporting whiskey tasting event.
• F&M TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecial Gift Sponsor for McLain Bash 2026. Local trust company supporting fundraising event.
• Bosler LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts Local History Series programs at Bosler Library including Carlisle Through the Years and America 250 presentations. Cross-promotion of educational programming.
• J. Sherwood McGinnis, Jr. War, Peace and Justice ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint events with CCHS including The US Constitution, Virtue, and the Pursuit of the Common Good program featuring tavern talks between George Washington and Patrick Henry moderated by LTG James Dubik.
• Ithaca CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent Katelyn Smith created documentary 'The Rainbow Under the Red Tape' screened at CCHS as part of Freedom to Be LGBTQ+ exhibit. Partnership connects student work with museum programming.
• Elizabethtown CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEric Schubert from Elizabethtown College co-presents W. Miller Barbour, Advocate for Civil Rights event. Academic partnership for historical education.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Senator John Heinz History Center: Western Pennsylvania's largest history museum operated by the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania; serves a similar mission in the same state but at substantially larger scale and urban footprint than CCHS.

Direct peers

• LancasterHistory: Pennsylvania county historical organization operating a museum, library/archives, and historic house properties (Wheatland, Mary Winter Fox) with venues for events — almost identical operating model to CCHS including venue rentals and educational outreach.
• Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Statewide Pennsylvania historical organization operating a research library, archives, and public programs — directly aligned with CCHS's library/archives and educational programming model, though at significantly larger scale.
• Dauphin County Historical Society: Pennsylvania county historical society based in Harrisburg operating the John Harris-Simon Mansion museum and archives with comparable governance, programming, and revenue mix to CCHS.
• Adams County Historical Society: Pennsylvania county-level historical society operating a museum, archives, and educational programs in Gettysburg — directly comparable in scale, mission, and revenue model (admissions, memberships, donations, events) to Cumberland County Historical Society.
• Historical Society of Berks County: Pennsylvania county historical society operating a museum, library/archives, and educational programming — directly comparable to CCHS in operating scope and small-staff nonprofit model.
• York County History Center: Regional Pennsylvania history organization operating multiple historic sites, museums, a library/archives, and educational programs with a comparable mix of admissions, memberships, and venue rentals — a peer in central PA heritage work.

Others

• American Association for State and Local History: National membership association serving state and local historical organizations like CCHS through advocacy, professional development, and accreditation — adjacent rather than competing, but directly enables CCHS's sector standards and grant access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/cumberlandcountyhist
• Facebookfacebook.com/cchscarlislepa
• Instagraminstagram.com/CCHSCarlislePA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cumberland-county-historical

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cumberland County Historical