The Gettysburg Foundation is pleased to offer area residents and visitors to Gettysburg the opportunity to experience “An Evening with the Painting” on select dates in 2025. A popular program on the historic Gettysburg Cyclorama in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, the first presentation in 2025 will take place Saturday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. The after-hours program provides a behind-the-scenes experience and a close-up look at the restored painting with a presentation combining history, art, and preservation.
Painted in the 1880s by French artist Paul Philippoteaux and a team of artists, the Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama is an immense work of art measuring 42 feet high and 377 feet long. The Gettysburg Cyclorama is one of the largest, free-standing paintings in North America. A rendition of “Pickett’s Charge” on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the painting is suspended in-the-round from the ceiling. This massive piece of history creates a remarkable 360-degree, three-dimensional appearance when viewed from the platform.
An Evening with the Painting explores the history of the genre of cycloramas and the iconic Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama. The presentation covers the creation of this historic piece of art, the rich symbolism found in the painting, and the extensive conservation effort to restore the canvas visitors experience today. Ticket holders spend extended time on the viewing platform to observe the close-up details and distant battle scenes depicted in the painting. Guests journey under the diorama to get a better view of how the three-dimensional “illusion” comes alive. Time is provided for Q&A.
Limited to 40 attendees, each presentation offers ticket holders approximately two hours of programming. The program begins in the Ford Motor Company Fund Education Center and continues on the Cyclorama platform. The program will be presented on the following schedule:
- Saturday, Jan. 18, 4-6 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 15, 4-6 p.m.
- Saturday, March 15, 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 12, 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, May 24, 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 28, 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, July 5, 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, July 19, 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 9, 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 27, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 10, 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 25, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 14, 4-6 & 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 6, 4-6 p.m.
Ticket reservations for An Evening with the Painting are available by calling the Gettysburg Foundation Guest Relations team at 717-334-2436 or by visiting GettysburgFoundation.org. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the Ticket Counter inside the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, Pa. Friends of Gettysburg receive a special member rate when purchasing tickets for this program. The Gettysburg Foundation is the official non-profit partner of the National Parks at Gettysburg. Proceeds from ticket purchases benefit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.
GETTYSBURG FOUNDATION
Gettysburg Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit philanthropic, educational organization operating in partnership with the National Park Service to preserve Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site and educate the public about their significance. The Foundation operates the Museum & Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park, as well as the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital, the Children of Gettysburg 1863®, and the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station™. The Foundation offers customized professional leadership development on the Gettysburg battlefield through its Higher Ground Leadership at Gettysburg programming. For information about visiting Gettysburg or how you can become a Friends of Gettysburg member in support of the Gettysburg Foundation’s preservation and education mission in partnership with the National Park Service at Gettysburg, visit GettysburgFoundation.org or call 877-874-2478. Proceeds from tickets and other purchases in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center and donations to the Gettysburg Foundation benefit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.