Local History
Gettysburg National Military Park Seeks Public Assistance For Missing Artifacts
Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP) staff is seeking public assistance regarding artifacts that went missing between December of 2023 and January of 2024 from a historical site near Brooke Avenue. The artifacts, which were taken from the Timbers farm on the southern end of the battlefield, are of significant historical importance. The law enforcement rangers
Spangler Farm continues summer season on weekends through August 11th
Visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center can shuttlebus to the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital to explore the historic site throughout the remainder of the 2024 summer season. The historic site will continue to be open for the summer season of living history and programming on Fridays, Saturdays, and
Delegation from Gettysburg’s Japanese Sister City visits Gettysburg
Officials from Gettysburg’s sister city, Sekigahara (seck-ee-GUH-hahr-uh), Japan, spent time this week visiting with officials from the National Park Service, Gettyburg Borough, and economic development and tourism agencies in a cultural exchange of ideas and programs. The team is working toward a World Battlefield Summit planned for late 2025 that will include three of the
Gettysburg Foundation to Host Historians After Hours in the Historic Rupp House
The Gettysburg Foundation is proud to present a special after-hours programming event that is free and open to the public. The event will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2024, from 6:30 until 8 p.m. in the historic Rupp House – the childhood home of Children of Gettysburg 1863. The event will feature historian and
Eisenhower Society Picnic Celebrates Ike and Mamie in Paris
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
Adams County Black History Trails Tour announced
***Abraham Brian moved from Maryland to Gettysburg in 1840 and bought a 12 acre farm on what is now Gettysburg battlefield. Returning after the armies departed to find his animals and crops gone and his farm damaged, Brian and his family slowly rebuilt. James Warfield was a farmer and blacksmith, living at the time of
Super Lawyer Thaddeus Stevens
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
GNMP announces schedule for the 161st anniversary of the Gettysburg Battle
The Gettysburg National Military Park will commemorate the 161st anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg with a variety of free guided walks and talks that discuss, explore, and reflect on this important chapter in our nation’s history. Visitors are invited to join National Park Rangers as they follow in the footsteps of the soldiers who fought
Lincoln Cemetery Project Association sponsors Memorial Day ceremonies
Memorial Day ceremonies were held at the Lincoln Cemetery on Sunday. The ceremonies were led by Jean Green, Chair of the Lincoln Cemetery Project Association. In introductory remarks, she explained that the small orange flags mark 136 burial sites with no headstones. These burial sites were identified with ground penetrating radar. Green reported that the
Photo Gallery: Gettysburg Commemorates 157th Memorial Day with Solemnity and Pride
Gettysburg marked its 157th Memorial Day with a poignant blend of reverence and celebration yesterday. Residents and visitors alike gathered to honor the memory of fallen soldiers and reflect on the town’s significant military history. The Memorial Day events kicked off with the annual parade, a stirring spectacle of community spirit and military vehicles. Leading
Thaddeus Stevens: railroad developer
Besides being a masterful politician and unrivaled lawyer, Thaddeus Stevens was an enthusiastic promoter of railroads, pushing for two early railroads in Pennsylvania and then laying the legislative groundwork in the 1860s for the Transcontinental Railroad. Stevens’s first railroad venture was the Gettysburg Extension of the Pennsylvania Main Line, nicknamed the Tapeworm Railroad because its
Main Street Gettysburg launches Legacy Endowment Campaign for Gettysburg Welcome Center Project
Main Street Gettysburg is pleased to launch a fundraising program to support the future Gettysburg Welcome Center – Legacy Endowment Fund. Construction funds for the welcome center project are secured, thanks to local fundraising, Borough investment, and Congressional allocation. Main Street Gettysburg raised over $153,000; Borough of Gettysburg committed $300,000 under capital projects; and a
Major rezoning plan will redefine Gettysburg
The Gettysburg Planning Commission is moving forward on a major zoning overhaul which will change the image of Gettysburg going forward. Detailed information about the new plan including the proposed new document and map can be found on the borough’s website here. Planning Committee Chair Charles Strauss noted on Monday that the new plan had
Whitmore explains the proposed Gettysburg zoning plan
Contacted after Monday’s Planning Commission meeting, Planning Director John Whitmore gave his thoughts about the proposed new zoning plan. Detailed information about the new plan including the proposed new document and map can be found on the borough’s website here. “The development of property within the Borough is planned in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Lincoln Cemetery will hold Memorial Day Program
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
ACHS receives historical deed to 59 E. High St. in Gettysburg
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
Summer Underground Railroad Tours Start Today
Beginning today, Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (HGAC) in cooperation with the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom (NTF) Program will be providing tours of Gettysburg’s only officially recognized Underground Railroad site where hundreds of freedom-seekers were sheltered during their escape from slavery in the years before the Civil War. Everyone is invited to attend the one-hour
Gettysburg Foundation to host “A Historic Evening with Stephen Lang, Jeff Shaara & Harold Holzer”
During the week of the 161st anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Gettysburg Foundation is pleased to host A Historic Evening with Stephen Lang, Jeff Shaara & Harold Holzer Friday, July 5, 2024. Award-winning stage and screen actor, playwright and author Stephen Lang, The New York Times bestselling author Jeff Shaara and leading Lincoln
Gettysburg Foundation to Host a Historic Evening with Stephen Lang and Jeff Shaara
During the week of the 161st anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, on Friday, July 5, 2024, join the Gettysburg Foundation for A Historic Evening with Stephen Lang and Jeff Shaara. Award-winning stage and screen actor, playwright and author Stephen Lang and The New York Times bestselling author Jeff Shaara will appear for a special evening of live performances,
Second Ken Burns Film Festival Draws 4000
Gettysburg’s second Ken Burns Film Festival and third major celebration of historical films in little more than a year drew 4000+ people to events this weekend. This time the leading attractions weren’t Gettysburg’s George Pickett (Stephen Lang) and James Longstreet (Tom Berenger) but instead were Law and Order prosecutor Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) and West
Thad’s Place opens in Gettysburg
Thad’s Place, home of the Thaddeus Stevens Museum, held its grand opening yesterday. The museum, located at 46 Chambersburg Street, is sponsored by the Thaddeus Stevens Society. April 4 was Thaddeus Stevens’ 232nd birthday and the 25th anniversary of the Thaddeus Stevens Society. The museum features artifacts from the society’s collection including many of Stevens’
Thaddeus Stevens Museum opens in Gettysburg
On April 4, something will happen that should have happened a long time ago — the grand opening of the first Thaddeus Stevens museum at 46 Chambersburg Street in Gettysburg, PA. The event from 5 to 7 p.m. will include music by noted musician Tom Jolin and the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by Jesse
Jean Green cares for Gettysburg’s Lincoln Cemetery
“This cemetery is the only concrete evidence there was a Black community in Gettysburg,” said Lincoln Cemetery Project Association Director Jean Green as she surveyed the 1.6 acre cemetery on the corner of Long Lane and Lincoln Lane in Gettysburg. The cemetery is Gettysburg’s only surviving Black cemetery and the final resting place of more
Seminary Ridge Museum starts the 2024 season with its Annual Symposium
“In the Wake of Gettysburg: Retreat and Aftermath” was the title of the Seminary Ridge Museum’s Annual Symposium held on Saturday. The sold-out event brought a record number of attendees: 95 in-person and 90 virtual viewers. Peter Miehl, Museum Executive Director and one of the event’s speakers, shared his excitement for the day. “I love
Thaddeus Stevens’s 14th Amendment again in the news
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
Ike, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Unification
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s well-deserved reputation for military leadership comes mainly from the formal command authority he exercised: first at Gettysburg’s Camp Colt during World War I; as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force during World War II; as postwar U.S. Army Chief of Staff; and as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, for NATO, in the
Gettysburg Heritage Center Offers Adams County Residents Complimentary Admission on President’s Day
Adams County residents are invited to enjoy complimentary admission to the Gettysburg Heritage Center on Monday, February 19, 2024. The museum is open to visitors from 10 am – 4 pm, with the last entrance into the exhibit area at 3:00 pm. The invitation allows for more locals to come and experience what the Heritage
Gettysburg the …… World War II Center?
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 open for annual Jim Getty Award
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
Thaddeus Stevens museum will open in Gettysburg
With the help of members and supporters, the Thaddeus Stevens Society has reached its goal of raising $28,000 for a new museum. The society has leased a storefront at 46 Chambersburg Street in downtown Gettysburg for the first Thaddeus Stevens museum. The grand opening is planned for April 4, 2024, the 232nd birthday of Stevens
Why support the Thaddeus Stevens Society?
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,
Seminary Ridge Museum Receives NEH Grant
Before the Battle of Gettysburg erupted in the small crossroads town on July 1, 1863, South Central Pennsylvania was the scene of another struggle, between slavery and freedom, over the course of 85 years. To help tell this story, Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center (SRMEC) was recently awarded a $19,000 Public Impact Project
Eisenhower and Oppenheimer
The recent hit movie “Oppenheimer” has many of the elements of a classic drama. It featured suspense, superlative acting, and a brilliant but conflicted hero: the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, so-called “father of the atomic bomb.” Inevitably, there is also a two-faced, scheming villain: Lewis Strauss, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. One major player
GNMP honors veterans of The Battle of the Bulge
The hometown of one of the greatest battles ever fought by the U.S. Army paid homage to another battle yesterday. On the 79th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, Eisenhower Farm Historic Site ranger Dan Vermilya hosted a walk and reflection in the National Cemetery. The World War 2 so-called Battle
GNMP announces 2024 Winter Lecture Series
Featuring some of the best rangers, historians, and authors from across the country, the nine-week Winter Lecture Series returns to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center for 2024. The Winter Lecture Series is held at 1:30 pm on weekends in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center from January 6
Lee’s Headquarters hosts Holiday Open House
In conjunction with Main Street Gettysburg’s “A Gettysburg Christmas Festival,” the American Battlefield Trust on Saturday, December 2, will be hosting a special open house at Lee’s Headquarters on the Gettysburg Battlefield, including tours of the house decorated for the holidays, historical interpretation and crafts for young and old. “As the community comes together to
Brotherly love leads to giving and Thanksgiving
When Adams County resident Charles Walmer learned he had polycystic kidney disease, he received a kidney transplant in 2009 after waiting about 4 years. It took place at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. Charles also made sure that his three adult children tested for this hereditary disease. His son Bill was the
The wig of Thaddeus Stevens
Thaddeus Stevens had many distinctive traits, such as his cutting wit, his brilliant intellect and his dour countenance. But the thing that hit people first was his ill-fitting, chestnut colored wig. Stevens started wearing a wig in the late 1820s after an attack of “brain fever,” which was probably Typhoid, that rendered him hairless. The
Dedication Day celebrates 160th Anniversary of Gettysburg Address
A collection of Gettysburg royalty, including Acting Park Superintendent Zachary Bolitho; Gettysburg College president Robert Iuliano; Gettysburg Foundation chair Wayne Motts; Lincoln scholar and Lincoln Forum chair Harold Holzer; writer and policy analyst Susan Eisenhower; and Wendy Allen, president of the Lincoln Fellowship, moved indoors to the Majestic Theater to celebrate the 160th anniversary of
Fort Delaware Cornet Band will perform at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church Sunday
The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace, Gettysburg’s Episcopal parish, will host the Fort Delaware Cornet Band at its 10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Service on Sunday, November 19. The band will accompany the Prince of Peace organ and choir during the hymns and service music at the Holy Eucharist rite and present a short
Gettysburg tells the story of more than a battle − the military park shows what national ‘reconciliation’ looked like for decades after the Civil War
Katrina Stack, University of Tennessee and Rebecca Sheehan, Oklahoma State University On Nov. 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to dedicate a cemetery at the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Four months before, about 50,000 soldiers had lost their lives at the Battle of Gettysburg, later seen as
Susan Eisenhower, J’Nai Bridges, Graham Sibley, Harold Holzer, and Doris Kearns Goodwin to appear at Dedication Day Events in Gettysburg Sunday, Nov 19.
UPDATE ALERT: CHANGE OF DEDICATION DAY CEREMONY VENUE FROM THE GETTYSBURG NATIONAL CEMETERY TO GETTYSBURG COLLEGE’S MAJESTIC THEATER, 25 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg, PA. The Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania is honored to invite the public to the Majestic Theater on November 19th, 2023 for a special Dedication Day ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the historic
Veterans Appreciation Day announced
Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation are pleased to announce a special Veterans Appreciation Day at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2023. To honor our U.S. military veterans for their service, veterans are invited to enjoy a special discount and receive free admission to the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience at
Gettysburg needs a Thaddeus Stevens museum
The Thaddeus Stevens Society is launching a fundraising effort to create a Gettysburg museum for one of its most important historic personalities. To raise this money, the Society is participating in the Giving Spree, held by the Adams County Community Foundation, that will occur on November 9 at Gettysburg Middle School from 3 to 7
County celebrates the 30th anniversary of iconic “Gettysburg” film
Director Ron Maxwell, actors Stephen Lang and Tom Berenger, and a dozen other cast members and crew joined hundreds of starstruck history and movie buffs this weekend to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1993 release of the film “Gettysburg.” The celebrations occurred across the county at the Adams County Historical Society (ACHS), the Seminary
GAHS Students continue Civil War Hospital Sign project
With the new school year, a new class of students at the Gettysburg Area High School are working with Historic Gettysburg Adams County (HGAC) to manufacture replacement markers for Civil War hospital sites in and around Gettysburg. GAHS Technology Education instructor Stan Licharowicz supervises the students as they use the latest computer-aided design and laser
Gettysburg College author discusses Black history in Gettysburg
Jill Ogline Titus, deputy director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College and the author of Gettysburg 1963: Civil Rights, Cold War Politics, and Historical Memory in America’s Most Famous Small Town, spoke at the Lutheran Seminary’s Valentine Hall on “A New Birth of Freedom? Civil Rights and Black History in 20th Century Gettysburg.”
Gettysburg College’s Eisenhower Institute Celebrates Democracy Week
The Eisenhower Institute (EI) at Gettysburg College held its second annual Democracy Week celebrations with a week full of events and activities aimed at getting young people engaged in the political process, celebrating American democratic values, and reducing political polarization through building bipartisan trust between political adversaries. This year’s theme was “In Democracy We Trust.”
Thaddeus Stevens and the Christiana Resistance
On September 11, 1851, an organized group near the small town of Christiana, PA, successfully fended off an effort by a Maryland slave owner to capture freedom seekers, killing the slaver in the process. The event, known as the Christiana Resistance or Riot, sparked a political firestorm that drew in Thaddeus Stevens. The event had
Gettsburg recognizes Thaddeus Steven’s accomplishments
Two new actions in the last week recognized the importance of Thaddeus Stevens to Gettysburg: a Stevens display in the Gettysburg borough building and the installation of “Stevens Run” signs on Constitution Avenue. The newly arranged display is outside the mayor’s office in the borough building and consists of a bust of Stevens on a small oak table
One Hundred Nights of Taps closes successful 7th year at Gettysburg National Cemetery.
One Hundred Nights of Taps, Gettysburg is finishing its 2023 evening programs on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. The closing program features multiple buglers sounding cascading Taps, an especially moving conclusion. The Labor Day program will also include an Enduring Pathway educational segment presented by GNMP Ranger Smith. Every day since Memorial Day, a few
Seminary’s Schmucker House gets an update
The Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary’s Schmucker House, located at the corner of Seminary Ridge and Springs Ave on the seminary campus is getting an update. The current focus is on the home’s two porches, including a large wraparound porch, but future updates may be on the horizon. The house is currently home to the administrative offices
Gettysburg Heritage Center presents “One More War to Fight” book presentation and signing by Stephen A. Goldman
Please join us as we welcome on Aug. 20 at 1:00 p.m. Dr. Stephen A. Douglas for a special presentation and book signing of his new release, “One More War to Fight: Union Veterans’ Battle for Equality through Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the Lost Cause.” Dr. Goldman is a psychiatrist with decades of experience in
Thaddeus Stevens and Gettysburg College
Thaddeus Stevens was one of the most important persons in Gettysburg College history, securing funding for the college’s first major building, providing land for its campus, and keeping it in Gettysburg when others wanted to move it in 1854. Gettysburg College, then called Pennsylvania College, was founded in 1832 by Samuel Simon Schmucker in the
Thinking about “New Beginnings,” Braver Angels, and the multiple meanings of Gettysburg.
What is it about Gettysburg? Why does the place have such a grip on our culture and our sense of who we are? The idea of Gettysburg as a place symbolic of “new beginnings,” fights to the death, or turning points, seems fixed in the public imagination. Consider these disparate examples: In the midst of
“Gettysburg” 30th Anniversary Festival comes to town in October
Main Street Gettysburg is proud to be cooperating with Journey Through Hallowed Ground, Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg Foundation, American Battlefield Trust, Seminary Ridge Museum, and Adams County Historical Society to host a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the movie “Gettysburg.” The 1993 movie, filmed on location in Gettysburg, was adapted from the 1974 historical
Thaddeus Stevens versus James Buchanan
One of the great ironies of American history is that President James Buchanan, a defender of slavery, lived in the same city of Lancaster, PA, as Thaddeus Stevens, a relentless foe of the infernal institution. This stark contrast was highlighted in a new book, American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal, by Neil King, a
Historic Preservation Project reaches milestone
After almost 20 years of visiting and surveying historic barns, a team of volunteers from the Historic Gettysburg Adams County Barn Preservation Project recently added the 400th barn to the HGAC register of historic Adams County Barns. Barn owners Wayne and Leila Flickinger and their daughters, Alayna and Sarah, welcomed the barn surveyors to their
Arendtsville Lions turn 50
The Arendtsville Lions Club celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its Charter Night with a dinner at Hickory Bridge Farm on June 13, 2023. The evening included a display of the club’s history and memorabilia, guest speakers, a roll-call of deceased members, induction of new members, installation of officers, special recognition of members, and entertainment by
Gettysburg’s Lincoln Cemetery among 13 PA African American cemeteries to receive assistance
Pennsylvania Hallowed Grounds and Preservation Pennsylvania are pleased to announce grant awards to 13 African American cemeteries to assist in their ongoing preservation efforts as part of an African American Cemetery Stewardship Program funded by the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (AACHAF) through the National Trust for Historic Preservation with support from The JPB
The financial genius of the Union cause
When the Civil War started in 1861, the United States was in horrible financial shape. The country was $100 million in debt, its main source of income — duties on imported goods — was significantly reduced with the departure of southern states, its banking system differed from state to state, and the paper currency was
Seminary Ridge Museum announces 160th Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary on the Ridge
Gettysburg’s Seminary Ridge Museum announces the 160th Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary on the Ridge event, June 30 – July 3. Join museum staff with battlefield walking tours, real-time programs, guest presenters, children’s activities, and an outdoor screening of the film “Gettysburg.” Click here to see the complete list of activities.
Sach’s Covered Bridge slated for some TLC
The Adams County Commissioners learned at Wednesday’s meeting that Sach’s Covered Bridge will receive a coat of paint and some fire retardant free of charge. The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania will perform the work. The Society is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of covered bridges in Pennsylvania. Society president Robert Kuether
Volunteers honor local D-Day fallen from 116th Infantry Regiment
The largest amphibious invasion in history was launched on June 6, 1944 when Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany. For this year’s 79th anniversary of D-Day, volunteers with the non-profit Stories Behind the Stars are commemorating the sacrifice of the 116th Infantry Regiment of
Summer Holiday Events at Children of Gettysburg 1863
June and July 2023 Gettysburg, Pa. (May 31, 2023)—The Gettysburg Foundation is pleased to offer area residents and visitors to Gettysburg educational events with family-friendly programming on select summer holidays at Children of Gettysburg 1863® in June and July 2023. Open daily, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. for the summer season, Children of Gettysburg 1863® is an interactive history adventure
GNMP sponsors 160th Gettysburg battle events
Gettysburg National Military Park staff will commemorate the 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 2, and 3, with a series of free hikes, walks, and talks that discuss, explore, and reflect on this important turning point in the American Civil War. The public is invited to join National Park Service staff throughout
Local author Jeff Shaara shares his work
New York Times best-selling author and Gettysburg resident Jeff Shaara will make several experiences in the county over the summer. Shaara will be sharing his newest release, “The Old Lion,” the story of Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. “It was a daunting task, and my greatest hope is that I’ve done him justice. He certainly deserves that,”
HGAC’s Summer at Spangler program begins May 27
Come take a peek inside the historic George Spangler barn and find out more about Pennsylvania’s unique bank barns! This year will mark the third season for HGAC’s family-friendly “Summer at Spangler” program, which takes place at the George Spangler Barn and Farm, located at 488 Blacksmith Shop Road in Gettysburg. The barn is not
Thaddeus Stevens’s greatest achievement, the 14th Amendment, is once again in the news
As the president and Congress grapple over the debt limit, many commentators are saying one solution is to simply have the President pay the nation’s debts as the 14th Amendment requires. The fourth section of the amendment says: “The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for
Land Conservancy of Adams County preserves nearly 10 acres in Franklin Township
In December 2022 the Land Conservancy of Adams County completed its third and final project of the year, partnering with landowners Walter and Jeannette Smith in Franklin Township to permanently preserve nearly 10 acres of rural land south of Arendtsville. The property consists of lowland meadow, a meandering creek protected by riparian woodland, and an
Lincoln Fellowship sponsors 100 Nights of Taps
Lincoln Fellowship representative Wendy Allen thanked the Gettysburg Public Works Department for repairing the “Return Visit” statue on the Gettysburg Square in April. After being restored at a studio in New Jersey and returned last year, the statue was loose. “It can’t be wobbling,” said Allen. Allen said she was deeply grateful to Public Works
HGAC offers McAllister Mill tours, replaces Civil War hospital signs with a key assist from high school students
Historic Gettysburg Adams County volunteers have begun conducting weekly Underground Railroad tours at McAllister’s Mill, located adjacent to the National Military Park. HGAC encourages everyone to discover a part of the battlefield unknown to most visitors. Tours leave from the south end of the old Mulligan MacDuffer’s Golf Course parking lot at 1360 Baltimore Pike
ABT will hold its 2024 annual conference in Gettysburg; announces new virtual tour at Lee’s Headquarters
In less than one year, hundreds of American Battlefield Trust members will descend on Gettysburg for the national preservation organization’s 2024 Annual Conference. From April 25–28, they’ll enjoy tours, talks, and other special gatherings at an event designed to showcase both the battlefield and the community that surrounds it. Speaking from the group’s iconic property
Gettysburg Underground Railroad tours will begin in May
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 6th, and everyone is invited to attend. Professional guides will lead tours every Saturday at 11 AM from May through August. Since 2011, hundreds of visitors have taken advantage of this unique
The lasting appeal of Gettysburg
“We had an almost mystical visit to the cemetery,” said Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer about his recent trip to Gettysburg with 19 Hunter College students. “We walked in via the route Lincoln took and visited the soldiers’ monument plus the now famous rhododendron bush [recently identified as the spot where Lincoln stood to deliver his
Discover the Untold Stories of Gettysburg at Beyond the Battle Museum
The Adams County Historical Society (ACHS) officially opened the doors of its new history center and museum, “Gettysburg Beyond the Battle,” on Saturday, April 15th. Over one thousand visitors enjoyed Gettysburg’s newest museum as well as a full weekend of programming including book signings, children’s activities, and a special panel discussion. Guest speakers during opening
79 Years Ago: Worst WW2 Liberty Ship disaster claimed local soldier
April 20 is the 79th anniversary of the worst US Liberty ship disaster of World War II, the sinking of the SS Paul Hamilton in the Mediterranean Sea by a German torpedo bomber. Volunteers from the non-profit Stories Behind the Stars have written memorials honoring all forty-one PA natives who died in the disaster. Adams
GNMP adds bronze relief tactile accessibility tables
Gettysburg National Military Park recently installed two bronze relief tactile tables, with a third to come, at key locations within the park. These new bronze relief tables depict three-dimensional landscape elevations of the battlefield. Visitors will now have access to better understand the landscape across which the battle was fought and how terrain influenced the
24th annual History Meets the Arts next weekend
Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15, will be the 24th annual History Meets the Arts (HMTA) show & sale in Gettysburg. 17 artists represented by Lord Nelson’s Gallery will be at the Gettysburg Fire Company Community Room Friday April 14, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and again Saturday April 15, from 10:00 am
Tours of the Eisenhower home will resume April 1
Visitors May Now Drive Directly to the Farm GETTYSBURG, PA – Eisenhower National Historic Site is pleased to announce that tours of the Eisenhower home will resume on Saturday, April 1, 2023, for the Spring and Summer season. Individuals, families, and groups with fewer than 20 people can now drive directly to the site. April
HGAC Educational Speakers Program features author Ron Kirkwood
Historic Gettysburg Adams County’s first Educational Speakers program for 2023 will feature Ron Kirkwood, author of “Too Much for Human Endurance: The George Spangler Farm Hospitals and the Battle of Gettysburg.” The talk will be held on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the historic G.A.R. Hall on 53 East Middle Street in Gettysburg,
National Park Service announces 2023 operating hours for Wills House
Beginning April 7, 2023, the historic David Wills House will reopen, free of charge, Friday to Sunday, from 1 pm to 5 pm. Effective June 17, 2023, operations will expand to Thursday to Sunday, from 1 pm to 5 pm. Effective August 18, 2023, operations will return to operating Friday to Sunday, from 1 pm to
WWII American Experience celebrates Women’s History Month
The Gettysburg WWII American Experience kicked off Women’s History Month on Saturday with an exhibit celebrating the inspirational and unprecedented contributions of women supporting the military efforts during World War II. Featuring many authentic original artifacts, vehicles, uniforms, pictures, storyboards, and activities for children and adults, the exhibit highlighted the important roles that nearly 350,000
Gary Ozenbaugh and American Battlefield Trust make donation to GARA
Long-time owner of Gettysburg’s General Pickett’s Buffet Gary “Ozy” Ozenbaugh and officials from the American Battlefield Trust paid a scheduled visit to the Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority this afternoon to uphold their commitment to make a $20,000 gift in support of community projects. “After decades on Steinwehr Avenue, the time was right for us to
Documentarian Ken Burns’ first-ever film retrospective kicks off in Gettysburg
Ken Burns, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) filmmaker who has done so much to explore “Who We Are,” is in town all weekend for his first-ever retrospective film festival. “Who Are We: A Festival Celebrating the Films of Ken Burns” is jointly sponsored by Gettysburg College and the Gettysburg Majestic Theater. At a discussion on
Live artillery Shell from the Battle of Gettysburg found on the GNMP battlefield
An unexploded ordnance shell dating from the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg was discovered today at the Gettysburg National Military Park. The shell was found within the area of rehabilitation currently occurring around Little Round Top. The U.S. Army 55th Ordnance Disposal Company Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Fort Belvoir, VA gently washed off the mud
Winter programming at Gettysburg National Miliary Park
Gettysburg, PA – Gettysburg will continue its popular Winter Lecture Series. Featuring some of the best National Park Service rangers and historians from across the region, this 10-week series of hour-long talks will examine a wide array of subjects related to the American Civil War and Gettysburg history including archeology at Little Round Top, the
Public Meeting about Trail to Adams County Historical Society Facilities
The new facilities for the Adams County Historical Society (ACHS) are approximately two-tenths of a mile north of the Borough of Gettysburg, and sidewalks along Carlisle Street end at the borough line. It is anticipated that many students from Gettysburg College and local residents will want to walk or ride a bicycle to the new
Hi-tech research pinpoints where Lincoln stood while delivering his Gettysburg Address
Hundreds of people passing through the National Cemetery in Gettysburg at around 2:00 p.m. on Remembrance Day, 2022 (Nov.19) were curious what a small group of people were doing with a spool of red, white, and blue ribbon on both sides of the fence separating the National and Evergreen cemeteries. As one member of the
Dedication Day ceremony celebrates 159th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
A collection of Gettysburg royalty – Park Superintendent Steve Sims, Gettysburg College President Robert Iuliano, Gettysburg Foundation President Wayne Motts, Lincoln Fellowship President The Reverend Steve Herr, and Gettysburg Forum chair Harold Holzer – together with superstar historians John Meacham and Dr. Allen Guelzo, gathered in the National Cemetery today to celebrate the 159th anniversary
The Shared History of the Musselman Family and the Adams County Fruit Industry
Nearly everyone, it seems, has heard the name Musselman and knows it is associated with food processing. Fewer know that there were two Musselmans involved, Christian H. Musselman (1880-1944) and Ivan Z. Musselman (1886-1963). And almost no person living today has heard about the third Musselman, Christian’s father, John Musselman (1858-1931). It was John who
Dedication Day and Remembrance Day events calendar
Dedication Day (ceremony in the Gettysburg National Cemetery) and Remembrance Day (parade and Illumination) events all fall on Saturday Nov. 19, 2022. All events and shuttles are free to the public. Expect substantial road closures in the area. The David Wills House will be open for free on November 18-19. November 19 schedule: 9:00 am to
“Ticket to the Past:” A virtual reality tour about Basil Biggs
Newly opened in downtown Gettysburg at the beautifully preserved train station, the Gettysburg Foundation’s “Ticket to the Past: Unforgettable Journey” is a wonderful, mind-altering, virtual reality experience that may give visitors a glimpse into the future of museum visitors’ engagements with history. “Ticket to the Past” feels more like a series of face-to-face encounters than
160th anniversary reenactment of Antietam battle this weekend
This weekend’s Reenactment and Living History event will feature Dunker’s Church and West Woods, the bloodiest day on American soil, along with an extensive Living History area for an all-around, all-day educational Civil War experience for the whole family at the Historic Daniel Lady Farm! This is an all-day family event, where history comes to