The Gettysburg Electric Map, a once-beloved attraction that brought the pivotal Civil War battle to life with light and narration, is glowing again—this time in Hanover.
The first electric map debuted in the late 1930s. It was later expanded into a massive 27-by-27-foot version that captivated millions of visitors at the former Gettysburg Visitor Center.
The map visually traces the three-day clash that helped shape American history through a system of colored lights representing Union and Confederate forces. Roadways and key sites are also marked by bulbs, synchronized to a 30-minute narrated timeline of the battle.
After falling out of use and interest, the map faced an uncertain fate when the National Park Service retired it in 2012. But the map has been restored and relocated thanks to Scott Roland, who purchased the dismantled map at auction and brought it to Hanover, approximately 14 miles east of Gettysburg. Restoration efforts involved reassembling the complex wiring over seven miles and reconnecting 4,000 links to more than 300 bulbs.
According to a Facebook post for the Gettysburg Electric Map in Hanover, a show is scheduled for 9 AM on April 26, and anyone is welcome to attend. The show lasts about an hour and costs $10 per person. The post also notes that a flight of stairs must be climbed to reach the map’s location at 22 Carlisle Street.
Source: WGAL