The former grounds of the Carlisle Indian School are located on what is now the United States Army War College. While the landscape has changed over the years, a number of school spaces, including the gymnasium, the band stand, the superintendent’s house, and the cemetery, still exist. Visitors may access the Army War College through its Visitor’s Center. Tours of the grounds are self-guided. Walking tour booklets with histories of each of the buildings from the Carlisle Indian school era are available for purchase at the Cumberland County Historical Society’s shop, History on High.
Before making a visit to Carlisle, it is important to review the information below.
Army War College Visitor’s Center
Visitors may access the former Indian School grounds at the Army War College, also known as the Carlisle Barracks or The Post, through its Visitor’s Center. For security purposes, guests will need to submit a clearance background check form and show photo identification to obtain a visitor’s pass, unless they already hold one of several approved forms of identification. Instructions and clearance applications are available through the Visitor’s Center of the Army War College at https://www.armywarcollege.edu/visitorcenter/. Clearance forms may be submitted up to 30 days in advance or on-site at the time of the visit. Please allow time for this process when planning a visit.
The Army War College Visitor’s Center is located at:
870 Jim Thorpe Road
Carlisle Barracks, PA
https://www.armywarcollege.edu/visitorcenter/
Cumberland County Historical Society
The Historical Society holds a rich collection of documents and photographs from the Carlisle Indian School. The Society’s museum includes an exhibit space featuring the history of the school. The museum can be visited during any open hours, but those interested in doing research in the library and archives need to make an appointment in order to ensure that knowledgeable staff are available to assist. The Historical Society is located at:
21 N. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
https://historicalsociety.com/
History on High
Sponsored by the Cumberland County Historical Society, this shop offers illustrated self-guided walking tour booklets of the Carlisle Indian School grounds for purchase, along with other items related to the school. The shop is located at:
33 West High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
https://www.historicalsociety.com/explore/history-on-high-the-shop/
Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections
Dickinson College’s Archives and Special Collections department holds a small collection of items related to the Indian School, including school publications and photographs, and also maintains a small exhibit. Special Collections is also the home of the Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center project. Special Collections is open Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm, and is located on the lower level of the college’s Waidner-Spahr Library. Those wishing to do research are encouraged to contact the staff in advance to ensure that knowledgeable staff are available to assist.
333 West High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
http://archives.dickinson.edu/
Cumberland Valley Visitors Center
The Visitors Center offers information about the local area, including lodging, restaurants, and area attractions. The Visitors Center is located at:
33 West High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
https://www.visitcumberlandvalley.com/listing/cumberland-valley-visitors-center/2029/