Gettysburg

Gettysburg National Military Park

Podcast tours: Little Round Top and Pickett's Charge
   One of the best-known and most studied battlefields in the world is visited by well more than a million people a year, so expect crowds and traffic in the peak season. Many believe the three-day battle here July 1–3, 1863, decided the outcome of the war. This beautiful park offers a driving tour that covers some of the best-known areas of the battlefield including Little Round Top, Cemetery Ridge, Pickett's Charge and Culp's Hill. Abraham Lincoln dedicated the National Cemetery here.

Museum and Visitor Center
1195 Baltimore Pike
(between Baltimore Pike and Taneytown Road)
717-334-1124 extension 8023, 866-889-1243, www.nps.gov/gett
    The new $103-million visitor center and museum has opened a short distance east of the old facility, which is now closed. The museum features 12 exhibit galleries that tell the story of the war and the July 1863 battle through quality story-telling artifacts, maps, high-tech interactive displays and other material. Also featured in the new center are a 22-minute film, bookstore, restaurant, certified guide service and NPS ranger help.
    The famous Gettysburg Cyclorama is undergoing restoration in the new center and will open Sept. 26, 2008.
    Hours are 8 am–5 pm winter, 8 am–6 pm spring and fall, and 8 am–7 pm during the summer season. Admission to the visitor center and museum is free. There is an $8/adult charge to see the film. Ticket and certified guide reservations may be made thorough www.gettysburgfoundation.org.

Gettysburg, the Town

www.gettysburg.travel
    This small town, subject of such terror and turmoil in 1863, has become part museum and part amusement park, thanks to its history. Some of the attractions the town are of high quality, some are not. All suit someone's taste. Many are geared for kids. A good Gettysburg Civil War Walking Tour brochure, produced by Main Street Gettysburg Inc, is available.
    Walking tours of the town, covering the civilian experience during the street battle, are available. The tours, offered 10 am-4 pm, begin at the Gettysburg Hotel, 1 Lincoln Square, April-November. Cost is $10/adult. Call 717-339-6161 for more information.
    Tours of the battlefield by licensed guides are available from the park visitor center. See www.gettysburgfoundation.org for reservation information.

The Rupp House History Center
451 Baltimore St, Gettysburg PA 17325
717-334-0772
 Road map 
    Excellent exhibits connect the fighting in town and the civilian experience with the battlefield. Creative displays highlight each day of the battle and the aftermath. A short audio-visual presentation sets the stage followed by examples of the sights and even the smells of the time. The 1868 home was built on the foundation of the war-time residence of John and Caroline Rupp. The Center is the home base of the Friends of the Parks at Gettysburg. Free, donations welcome. Open mid-May through November, Friday–Sunday.

Schriver House
309 Baltimore St, Gettysburg PA 17325
717-337-2800
 Road map 
    Tours offered on the half hour of the restored 1860 home of George and Henrietta Schriver. The story of how the family and their neighbors survived the battle is told during the tours. Highlight is a Confederate sniper nest in the attic. The house is open for 30-minute guided tours April–October, Monday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Sunday noon–5 pm. The house is open November, February and March weekends noon–5 pm. $7.25/adult.

The Gettysburg Railroad Station
35 Carlisle St.,
Gettysburg PA 17325
717-337-8233
Road map
    Abraham Lincoln arrived at this 1859 station about 6 pm, Nov. 18. 1863 — the day before he delivered his famous address. Exhibits in the station tell that story and describe the station’s role during and following the battle. The building was among the first hospitals and was a busy place serving the wounded (transporting nearly 15,000) and the town when rail service was restored a week after the fighting ended. Open daily 10 am–4 pm. Free (donations welcome).

Website links to places listed here: Pennsylvania Links