Self-Guided Historic Walking Tour

Delve into New Cumberland Borough history and support the New Cumberland Public Library when you purchase a copy of “A Walking Tour of Historic Downtown New Cumberland.” The pamphlet lists 48 places, all within the original 1831 Borough limits, and includes a numbered map in the center. It was produced with a generous grant from the Cumberland County Historical Society and sells for $5. Copies can be purchased at the New Cumberland Public Library or at History on High in Carlisle.

About New Cumberland Borough

We are bounded by the shoreline of the mighty Susquehanna River at its confluence with the colorfully named Yellow Breeches Creek. We’ve been called many names from Shawneetown after the Native Americans who inhabited the Cumberland Valley to Chartier’s Landing in the 1700’s then to Haldeman’s Town and ultimately New Cumberland in 1827 just four years before we were incorporated into a borough of the Commonwealth.

From our first days we were both a place connected and a place apart. We were the center of trade and travel with early sawmills and granaries and a turnpike that served nearby York and Harrisburg and the growing cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore. We grew as a close-knit community with shops, restaurants, churches, schools, a theatre, and a library all centered mere steps from our lush green neighborhoods.

Today we are a Borough connected to our neighbors yet distinct in character. We are a collection of parks and playgrounds, diverse neighborhoods, and a walkable downtown. There is a sublime feeling here of comfort coupled with a fresh energy for the future. We are close to everything but far from ordinary.

We look to the future with fresh ideas. We are rediscovering our access to our river, creek, and parks. We are curating an artistic destination for the visual and performing arts. We are fostering unique shops, restaurants, and services that combine the energy of entrepreneurs with hometown service. We are both a welcoming community to newcomers and a place where generations still live.

We welcome you to explore this place, stroll our streets, discover our parks, take in the views, and share our common goal and uncommon vitality.

We are New Cumberland Borough, PA: Old town. New energy.