Gettysburg belongs to the nation

In April 1775, Lexington and Concord Massachusetts, saw the beginning of the Revolutionary War between the thirteen colonies and Great Britain.  Concord Bridge witnessed “The shot heard round the world”.  These battles were smaller and of less duration than Gettysburg, but of great significance to American history.  In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted, separating the thirteen colonies from Great Britain. In 2026, the entire country will celebrate the semi quincentennial (250^th) anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, through special events expressing the patriotic and historical importance of the Revolutionary War and specifically the well-known locations where it was launched.

The Minute Man National Historic Park commemorates this history. Lexington and Concord have maintained the authentic character of their towns, recognizing  their patriotic duty to preserve moments in time for the nation and the world to experience.  While new structures can be built, there are height limits of 35-40 feet, and strong historical preservation requirements.  There is a strong sense of place, which contributes to the heritage tourism experience.

In 1863, a third small town – Gettysburg — was engulfed in the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, and all of American history in terms of total casualties over a single engagement. It was a pivotal point in the Civil War. Today, the effects of Gettysburg echo in the American conscience.  Millions of visitors make their way to view the Gettysburg battlefield and monuments 162 years later, drawn by family connections, a desire to experience that period of history, and the unique character of the small town named Gettysburg that was consumed by fighting for three days.

In November 1863, Lincoln began his powerful Gettysburg Address with “Four score and seven years ago”, harkening back to the Declaration of Independence and our Revolutionary War experience that began in Lexington and Concord. 

Gettysburg then experienced a period of fairly tacky tourist-oriented development on the battlefield and within the borough.  After decades of restoration, the battlefield  showcases the magnitude of what took place here.  It is possible for a visitor to get the sense of a small 19th-century town cast into the middle of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Not all the buildings are 19^th century, but the size and scale of Gettysburg structures contribute to the authentic nature of the experience.  It is possible to walk the streets and feel the history that happened here. Two recent films take place using the historic streetscape as the setting.  Streetscape character is an important element of heritage tourism – the number one factor in the local economy.

The vision being pushed by some government officials is that of a taller, more modern Gettysburg, supposedly to augment the borough coffers with 7-story  buildings in the Central Core of the historic downtown — near the Lincoln Train Station and other significant buildings.  It’s not an all or nothing situation.  The Planning Commission recommended 48 feet of height, which would allow compatible development, including housing.  Some government officials don’t seem to understand  Gettysburg’s national significance, and the fact that people who live outside of Gettysburg love it and visit repeatedly because Gettysburg is a national treasure. People who chose to live here did so because of the National Military Park, and the environment within the Borough.  If the rezoning is passed as proposed, and 72-foot-tall buildings populate the downtown, it would mean an irreversible detriment to one of the most famous and historic small towns in America due to the misguided ideas of a handful of people who don’t understand the significance of our national experience at Gettysburg.