Welcome to Mercersburg Academy, founded in 1863 and originally chartered as Mercersburg College in 1865. It is an independent preparatory school which has produced Rhodes scholars, Academy Award winners, 3 Medal of Honor recipients, a Nobel laureate, and 54 Olympians (including 12 gold medalists).
The Academy has an open campus and welcomes visitors during daylight hours and evenings when events are scheduled. Non-denominational chapel services are held most Sundays with periodic receitals, concerts, and special events in the cathedral, especially around holidays. The carillon plays Sundays at 3:00 pm. when school is in session. The chapel is open to visitors who first contact campus security. Current hours and a phone number are posted on a small sign at the main entrance to the building. Remember that you are on an academy campus and school events take precedent over your visitation.
For this virtual cache, you will be directed to two noteable historic sites. To get credit for a find, email or message the CO with your answers to questions 1 and 2.
Part 1. (N. 39 49.495 W. 77 53.993)
Possibly the most impressive structure in Franklin Co., PA is the Irvine Chapel, or what is referred to by many as the Mercersburg cathedral. Designed by Ralph Adam Cram and named for Dr. William Mann Irvine, founder and first headmaster of Mercersburg Academy, the building stands a memorial to alumni lost in WW 1. The cornerstone was laid in 1922 and the first dedication was held in 1926. Visitors can view 36 stained glass windows fashioned by craftsmen from multiple countries including the United States. Inside the Gothic tower, a replica of St. Mary's Anglican Church in Oxford, England, resides the 50 bell Swoope Carillon. The bells are played with a keyboard; they don't move. Sound is generated by the moving clapper in a bell. The bells, themselves, range from 10 pounds to 3.5 tons. When they were cast, metal from WW I artillery shells, coins, Old Ironsides, Admiral Nelson's flag ship "Victory", and a sliver from the Liberty Bell were inclluded.
Question for Part 1: To the left of the front doorway is a stone inscribed with the names of two people from whom the entry way was a gift. What are their names. (Over the front door can be read "Put you on the whole armour of God.")
Part 2. (N. 39 49.630 W. 77 53.786)
Mercersburg Academy campus is also the home of the cabin in which President James Buchanan was born. The cabin was moved to the present location from James Buchanan Birthplace State Park about three miles northwest along PA Rt. 16. The original cabin site in the park is marked by a pyramid.
Question for Part 2: Inside the house, what is the object in the corner opposite the stairs?
Photos of you or an object unique to you or your group are appreciated.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.