The Gettysburg Foundation will host Fall Family Day at Spangler, a free, one-day event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. The event marks the final opportunity for the public to visit the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital this year.
Fall Family Day at Spangler offers an educational, fall day for families to experience and learn more about the history of the 80-acre historic site.
“The day will be an excellent opportunity for families and those who enjoy learning about history,” said Paul Semanek, Spangler Farm Site Coordinator. “We’re offering this special event on Oct. 10, to allow families to visit the George Spangler Farm—and, during the fall season, which is a unique opportunity compared to the typical summer season visit to the farm.”
The Blue & Gray Hospital Association, an official living history group of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, will be onsite during the event. Throughout the day, the family-friendly programming includes the opportunity to:
- Visit one of the best-preserved Civil War field hospitals utilized during the Battle of Gettysburg.
- Hear stories about the civilians and their role at the farm during and after the battle.
- View a Headquarters display for a Division Field Hospital and learn about the purpose of the various forms and books that were used.
- Get a glimpse of First Aid cases and knapsacks of the time.
- Discover the role of the surgeons and their equipment of the day.
- Explore a Civil War era pharmacy and the common drugs prescribed.
- Learn about Civil War dentistry and the tools used to treat soldiers in the field.
- Watch a Union cannon and gun crew with authentic Civil War artillery artifacts on display.
- See a reproduction of a Civil War Wheeling (Rosecrans) ambulance wagon that was used to transport the wounded.
“We are pleased to open the Spangler Farm for one more weekend this year for families and visitors,” said David Malgee, Gettysburg Foundation interim president. “Here, visitors can learn not only about the critical role of artillery and the aftermath of the battle, but also hear stories of incredible compassion, healing and camaraderie.”
Visitors to this special Fall Family Day at Spangler event may drive directly to the property and park onsite. To follow current health and safety protocols, allow for social distancing and ensure ample parking, attendance and vehicle capacity at a given time will be limited. Throughout the property, visitors and volunteers will be required to wear a face covering.
The site, a successful family farm before and after the battle, served as the Union Army’s 11th Corps field hospital where more than 1,900 wounded soldiers—both Union and Confederate—received care. In addition, the site served as an artillery reserve, ammunition reserve, provost guard and a temporary cemetery for both Union and Confederate soldiers. The George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital is located at 488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
