The Adams County Historical Society (ACHS) has officially rebranded itself as Gettysburg History, a move designed to unify the organization’s expanding public programs and raise its national profile.
“This new public-facing identity will encompass all of our sites, our programs, our events, and future projects,” said Andrew Dalton, president and CEO of Gettysburg History, in an announcement on the site’s YouTube channel. “Our mission is not changing. In fact, Gettysburg History is the next step in fulfilling it.”
The rebranding effort was first discussed nearly two years ago and evolved through conversations with prominent figures, including filmmaker Ken Burns, historian Susan Eisenhower, and actor Stephen Lang. Their input helped shape a vision for the organization to reach broader audiences and amplify its impact.
Among its key assets is the recently acquired Shriver House Museum, located at 307 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg. The museum offers a civilian perspective on the Battle of Gettysburg and will now operate as part of Gettysburg History.
“With Beyond the Battle Museum, the Shriver House, and the Gettysburg Film Festival, we’ve entered a new era,” Dalton said. “Gettysburg History is the banner under which all of this lives.”
Under the new structure, Gettysburg History will serve as the umbrella organization for all of the society’s properties and initiatives. The shift reflects rapid growth in ACHS’s membership and programming in recent years. According to Dalton, most current members now reside outside Adams County—“drastically different from five years ago.”
“Gettysburg History gives us a platform to take the stories of this place to a national stage,” he said. “We’ve grown, and with that growth comes the responsibility to reach broader audiences.”
The mission to preserve and share Adams County’s past remains unchanged, Dalton emphasized. Gettysburg History will continue to care for millions of artifacts and archives, providing educational programs and exhibits rooted in local and national history.
Dalton also highlighted the organization’s annual Gettysburg Film Festival—developed in partnership with Ken Burns—which he described as “America’s first and only festival recognizing American history on screen.” The festival has drawn national attention and will be a flagship event under the Gettysburg History banner.
An “exciting update” about the 2026 festival, which will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States, is expected in the coming days.
Despite the expanded scope, Dalton reiterated that the organization’s core values remain intact.
“Every new initiative, every project undertaken, every audience we reach will fuel the work that we’ve always done—preserving the past and inspiring the future,” he said.
For more information, visit: https://www.achs-pa.org/about
Watch the announcement video: YouTube – Gettysburg History Introduction