Downtown Carlisle has always been a place where history, community, and creativity intersect. Thanks to a $27,221 Tourism Product Development Grant from the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC), the Downtown Carlisle Association (DCA) recently completed a series of beautification projects that are transforming the borough’s business district into a livelier and more inviting destination for residents and visitors alike.
Enhancing Carlisle Through Art and Design
One of the most notable updates is the new Molly Pitcher mural at 49 W. High Street. The black and white mural, originally installed in 2001 for Carlisle’s 250th anniversary, needed a major refresh. Local artist Wayne Fettro, who created the original, was commissioned once again to reimagine the design in full color. Using advanced AlumiGraphic panels, the mural now stands one-third larger than the original, honoring iconic figures important to the town’s history, including Molly Pitcher, Benjamin Rush, and Jim Thorpe. The project even brought a serendipitous connection. Jim Thorpe’s descendants visited Carlisle during the installation and expressed their gratitude for the tribute.
Building Connections and Improving the Visitor Experience
The grant also supported the installation of two informational kiosks. A larger, three-sided kiosk, strategically placed near the Old Courthouse, and a smaller one on West High Street near the ClothesVine, provide visitors with easy access to maps, event information, and community notices, creating a more connected and navigable downtown. The kiosks show how small, but impactful, infrastructure investments can enrich the visitor experience and help local businesses thrive.
Another creative feature supported by the grant was a public street mural at the intersection of Pomfret and Pitt Streets. Planned initially as painted crosswalks, DCA pivoted to a four-corner design after discovering safety restrictions. With help from the Carlisle Borough and a generous donation from Two Dudes Painting, the colorful installation now serves as an artistic focal point that complements the town’s creative energy, particularly along the artsy Pomfret Street corridor.
Beautification that Builds Community Pride
The DCA also used grant funding to restore and enhance green spaces throughout downtown, including 26 new planters (plus rose bushes and boxwood plants) for the town square and Pomfret Street, as well as plants and mulch for 140 tree well gardens in the downtown district. These touches of greenery not only brighten the streetscape but also foster community pride and encourage visitors to linger longer and explore more.
“Beautification has always been our main initiative,” says Stacey Gould, DCA’s Main Street Manager. “This grant allowed us to complete all the projects we envisioned. The improvements contribute to a thriving downtown that’s inviting to both locals and visitors.”
Partnerships That Power Progress
For DCA, these projects represent more than cosmetic upgrades. They symbolize collaboration, resilience, and shared purpose. CAEDC’s Tourism Product Development Grant program enabled DCA to turn its vision into reality, boosting the vibrancy of Carlisle’s downtown while reinforcing its reputation as a welcoming and creative community.
CAEDC’s investment in these projects shows the organization’s commitment to enhancing the region’s appeal. By helping local partners rethink their spaces, CAEDC supports communities like Carlisle in creating destinations that people want to visit, explore, and return to again and again.
Lasting Impact
The beautification of downtown Carlisle will have lasting effects: driving tourism, supporting local businesses, and fostering civic pride. Clean, attractive, and walkable downtowns encourage people to stay longer, spend more, and engage with their surroundings. Through CAEDC’s support, the Downtown Carlisle Association has helped ensure that the borough remains a place where visitors feel inspired and residents feel at home.
