Robert and Anne Kinsley from the Kinsley Foundation have underwritten the cost of a $1 million renovation of the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital in Gettysburg.
The Spangler Farm
In 1863, the farm was thriving with livestock, crops, orchard, and garden. During the Battle of Gettysburg, the farm housed thousands of soldiers, surgeons, nurses, caregivers, and volunteers, as well as the Spangler family who chose to stay.
On July 1, 1863, the entire property was converted into a field hospital for the 2nd Division of the 11th Union Army Corps and later became the main hospital for all wounded corps. Reportedly, 1,800 Union soldiers and 100 Confederate soldiers were treated at the Spangler property by at least seven Federal surgeons.
“The Kinsley family has a great appreciation for the importance of history and for Gettysburg’s place in preserving America’s democratic experiment,” said Eric B. Schultz, chair for the Gettysburg Foundation Board of Directors. “This beautiful facility will provide new technology and innovative opportunities for education while enhancing the historic preservation efforts we all treasure.”
Scheduled for completion in September 2019, the newly renovated farmhouse will include a state-of-the art classroom for educational programming, work space, visitor amenities and catering facilities. The building will also serve as the new home for the Gettysburg Foundation’s popular leadership education program. The program, In the Footsteps of Leaders®, trains organization leaders based on decisions made and actions taken during the Gettysburg battle.
In addition to its new utility, the building will gain a new name—the Kinsley Leadership Center at the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital.
“The stone farmhouse tells a remarkable story of family, healing and perseverance,” said Gettysburg Foundation president Matthew C. Moen, Ph.D. “By naming this building for the Kinsley family, we honor their lifetime commitment to preservation and education, while passing along the lessons of Gettysburg to future generations of Americans.”
A celebration to unveil the new Kinsley Leadership Center at the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital is planned for October of 2019.
Bob Kinsley is the Chair of Kinsley Construction and Chair Emeritus of the Gettysburg Foundation. At the Foundation, Kinsley’s vision and support led to the creation of the award-winning, LEED-Gold certified Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center which opened in 2008.