Local History

Gettysburg Borough Council conducted a full slate of business last evening, highlighted by an optimistic presentation from the Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority (GARA), approvals of several infrastructure-related agreements, and routine financial and public safety actions. GARA Executive Director Al Moyer told council that the rec park has seen a surge of community support and in-kind

Midway through the recently released film “Nuremberg,” General Dwight D. Eisenhower is shown walking through a newly liberated Nazi work camp. Many other famous historical figures also appear throughout the movie, but, unlike them, no actor plays the Allied Supreme Commander. He appears in documentary film footage originally shown, with great effect, during the eighth

This year, 2025, marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean conflict. When communist North Korean forces invaded their southern neighbor on June 25, 1950, Dwight D. Eisenhower was serving as president of Columbia University, following a spectacular career in World War II and later as the Army’s Chief of Staff. Although totally outside of the

On a quiet stretch of farmland near Fairfield, far from the noise of highways and screens, a small community of abou 20 Carmelite sisters has built a hidden world of silence, prayer, and sacrifice. The Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was established here in 2009 within the Diocese of Harrisburg. The sisters live in

Reflections on the enduring relevance of Abraham Lincoln were at the heart of today’s Dedication Day ceremonies in the Gettysburg National Cemetery, marking the 162nd anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. The event was co-sponsored by the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania, Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP), Gettysburg College, and the Gettysburg Foundation. Kristina Heiser, GNMP superintendent,

December 4, 1865 was a pivotal day in American history when Thaddeus Stevens, with the help of Edward McPherson of Gettysburg, prevented ex-Confederates from taking over Congress. But what would have happened to the United States over the next 160 years if Stevens had failed on that critical day? This important day in American history

Thaddeus Stevens was many things: super lawyer, ground breaking politician, ironmaster, real estate speculator and railroad developer. But his role as newspaper publisher is often overlooked, though it was one of his most public roles.  Stevens first newspaper venture was the Anti-Masonic Star, which published its first edition on April 17, 1830. The paper was launched to

A delegation of Gettysburg leaders, including Mayor Rita Frealing, is visiting Sekigahara, Japan this week to commemorate 10 years of partnership between the two sister cities — a relationship dedicated to preserving ancient battlefields and promoting peace. Also joining the visit are Destination Gettysburg President and CEO Karl Pietrzak and Adams County Civil War expert

When one thinks about World War I, the biggest name that comes to mind is General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing; for World War II, it’s General Dwight D. Eisenhower, at least in the European theater. These two leaders represented distinctly different generations: Pershing graduated from West Point in 1886 as First Captain of the

Historic Gettysburg Adams County (HGAC) will host its 2025 Historic Barns Tour on Saturday, September 20, inviting the public to explore five historic Pennsylvania barns and enjoy family-friendly activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour begins, rain or shine, at the Round Barn, 298 Cashtown Road, Biglerville, PA 17307; check-in opens at 10

A few months after Thaddeus Stevens died on August 11, 1868, members of the House of Representatives gathered to deliver eulogies about one of the greatest congressmen in U.S. history. The picture they drew was quite remarkable. The congressmen told how Stevens had saved public education in Pennsylvania in the 1830s and how he had helped to revamped the financial structure of

Gettysburg native and Hall of Fame pitcher Edward S. “Eddie” Plank will be honored in his hometown on Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31, 2025 by Gettysburg History. In recognition of the 150th anniversary of his birth, Plank’s legacy will be celebrated with a series of events. The weekend kicks off with a panel

Much of Thaddeus Stevens’s political power came from his unparalleled mastery of parliamentary procedure. Many times he was able to push through matters that wouldn’t have gotten through but for his skillful use of the rules of the House of Representatives. This was particularly true at the beginning of the Civil War when the Union

The World War II American Experience museum is hosting its annual Military Weekend from July 25-27, 2025. The event will feature displays of military vehicles from the museum’s collection as well as pieces brought in by other collectors; access to the museum’s own world-class collection of military vehicles and other World War II artifacts; the

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

The collaboration between General George C. Marshall and General Dwight D. Eisenhower demonstrated decisive leadership from both men during a critical phase of World War II in April 1945. Their relationship was rooted in shared mentorship under General Fox Connor, who significantly influenced both men. Eisenhower’s appointment to War Plans in 1941 under General Marshall

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – June 5, 2025 Educational programs, musical performances, and culturally centered events are planned to commemorate Juneteenth in Gettysburg, starting with a ceremony at the town’s historic Black cemetery. The commemoration begins on June 19 at Lincoln Cemetery — Gettysburg’s only surviving Black cemetery — which will host a public ceremony and graveside

This Memorial Day Weekend, history, heritage, and community spirit come together for an unforgettable lineup of events hosted by the Gettysburg Heritage Center and Gettysburg Nature Alliance. From May 24–26, visitors of all ages can enjoy a weekend filled with book signings, live demonstrations, music, and immersive learning—all set against the backdrop of one of America’s

Two authors of books about two important Civil War and Reconstruction congressmen will speak and sign their books at a free presentation in the social hall of Christ Lutheran Church at 30 Chambersburg Street in Gettysburg, PA, on Friday, May 16, at 6 p.m.   The authors are Jeffry Boutwell, whose book is Boutwell: Radical Republican and

Nearly everybody is familiar with the legend of the young George Washington chopping down a cherry tree and then confessing to his father because he “cannot tell a lie.” A similar event happened to the young Thaddeus Stevens, but it involved chopping a cow. Stevens was dealt a bad hand as a child in the

Walking tours of Gettysburg’s only Underground Railroad (UGRR) Site recognized by the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom will begin on Saturday, May 3, and everyone is invited to attend. Our tour guides this year will be Bernie Mazer, Deb Novotny, Keith Schultz, and Curt Musselman, who will share the privilege of showing you around

Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (HGAC) celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday, April 5, 2025, by dedicating a hand-carved datestone outside its headquarters at 53 East Middle Street in Gettysburg. The datestone project began in August 2024 when Stable Hollow Construction of Manheim, PA, generously proposed the gift in honor of the milestone. The stone was crafted

The Thaddeus Stevens Museum is expanding into the storefront next door at 52 Chambersburg Street, and the grand opening is on April 5 at 5 p.m. All are invited. The new space, called the Annex, will feature an expanded research area, tourist information, more exhibits about Stevens and the Thaddeus Stevens Society, and Civil War

The Gettysburg Heritage Center is thrilled to announce the return of “Reenactor Recruitment Day” on Saturday, March 15, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, this second annual gathering promises to be even more exciting for history enthusiasts and those interested in joining a reenactment group. While many groups represent the

A capacity crowd gathered Sunday afternoon in the Lutheran Seminary’s Valentine Hall for a presentation of a video documentary and panel discussion on “The Underground Railroad in South Central Pennsylvania.” The program was sponsored by Pathways to Racial Justice and featured a video in the Keystone Oral Histories project by former teacher Bryan Wade. The

One of the more unusual aspects of Thaddeus Stevens’s political career is his association with the Anti-Masonic Party. While he represented the Gettysburg area in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 1830s, Stevens was a major figure in the party, got an Anti-Masonic governor elected, and even held hearings about the Masons. The Anti-Masonic

The Lincoln Cemetery Project Association and the Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP) united on Saturday to host two historical persons; Fredrick Douglass and Captain John Brown. The sold-out event, held at the GNMP Visitors Center as part of the 2025 Winter Lecture Series, was an unforgettable experience, bringing history to life through an engaging portrayal

Thaddeus Stevens was riding high in the early 1820s. He was a young up-and-coming lawyer in the prosperous town of Gettysburg. Then he took a case involving a fugitive slave that would change his life and the course of American history forever. Born in Vermont, the first state to ban slavery in 1777, it would

Contributed by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Society Throughout the 20th century, railroad passenger cars crisscrossed the United States by the tens of thousands, transporting Americans in wartime, peacetime, and sometimes providing the backdrop for other historical events.  One passenger car was “the room where it happened” for a virtually unknown meeting with critical ramifications as

Gettysburg borough recently published a summary of its budget and at the top of the page were pictures of Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower. Where was Thaddeus Stevens?  He should be part of the Gettysburg Trinity. Gettysburg is fortunate that it can lay claim to two presidents. But it should also lay claim to Thaddeus

The steering commission for Adams County’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States is hosting a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, to bring residents and business owners across the county up to date on local plans as well as invite members of the community to get involved. Commonly known as “America 250,” this

By 1816, Thaddeus Stevens had graduated from Dartmouth college, completed his legal studies and gotten a certificate to practice law. He was ready to make his mark, but where? Stevens did a little location shopping. He first went east from York, where had lived for two years, to Lancaster to check out that city. On

The following is the schedule for the Seminary Museum’s “Gettysburg Address 161st Anniversary on the Ridge.” Friday, November 15 6:30 p.m. “The Business of Death in the Mid-19th Century” (History Happy Hour by Annette Jorgensen, SRMEC Membership and Development Coordinator) Death in the 19th century was a relatively common occurrence. Illnesses and accidents that we

More than 160 years after President Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal address, the Gettysburg community will come together this year to mark the historic occasion with special events throughout November. In Gettysburg, Nov. 19 is known as Dedication Day, the date when Lincoln came to Gettysburg in 1863 for the dedication of a new national

On November 1 and 2, Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center (SRMEC) will again host “24 Hours on the Ridge,” conceived in 2021 as a fundraising event to be held in conjunction with the annual Adams County Community Foundation Giving Spree, which supports non-profit organizations throughout Adams County, Pennsylvania. Rather than closing at 5:00 p.m.

Thaddeus Stevens was born in the small Vermont town of Danville in 1792, the last year of the first term of George Washington. He had a lot going against him. His family was poor, he was born with a clubfoot — a handicap that was seen as a mark of the devil — and his father

Join the Dwight D. Eisenhower Society at its annual picnic at the Eisenhower National Historic Site on Saturday, July 20, 2024.  Our picnic theme is Ike and Mamie in Paris with a nod to the Olympics set to begin in Paris the following weekend.  Tours of the Eisenhower Home, a putting contest on the Eisenhower

Of all Thaddeus Stevens’s abilities, his talent as a lawyer was his greatest. In a June 28, 1885 article in the Baltimore American, a person who knew him said this: “Mr. Stevens was regarded by many people with an air of superstition. His legal knowledge was so profound and his foresight so keen, that he

The Lincoln Cemetery Association will hold a Memorial Day Program on Sunday May 26 starting at 1:45 p.m. This program has been a long-time tradition for Lincoln Cemetery but has not been held recently .  The cemetery is located at the corner of Lincoln and Long Lane. Parking is available at the rec park parking

On Wednesday, May 15, Miranda Wisor, Executive Director of Adams County Library, presented Andrew Dalton, Executive Director of the Adams County Historical Society, with the original deed to 59 East High Street, Gettysburg. According to the historical record, Adams County was established on January 22, 1800, and Gettysburg was named the county seat. As part

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution is one of the greatest achievements of the Reconstruction era and the essential person in its birth was Thaddeus Stevens, the most powerful congressman of his time. The amendment has been at the heart of many landmark court cases, including desegregation, same sex marriage, and reproductive rights. Now the

Our hometown took a large step to solidify its position as a leading center of World War II studies and commemoration with a major conference on the Battle of the Bulge, held at the World War II American Experience Museum in Gettysburg on Jan. 27. The conference was sponsored by the Battle of the Bulge

Nominations for Destination Gettysburg’s eighth annual “Jim Getty Spirit of Gettysburg Award” are now open, and members of the community are encouraged to submit names of individuals in the tourism industry that exemplify dedication and contribution to the Adams County tourism industry. The award was established in 2016 in recognition of Jim Getty, an Abraham

In his 1939 biography about Thaddeus Stevens, Alphonse B. Miller wrote this:  “It is an ironic commentary on fame that in so short a time as seventy years, Thaddeus Stevens has become little more than a name even to well-educated Americans. In his lifetime, which reached its climax during a major crisis in American affairs,