On July 25, 2024, the Gettysburg Foundation will host a special program at the historic George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. The program, titled “A Medical Analysis of the Lincoln Family: Cures for the First Family—Then & Now,” will be led by Dr. Trevor Steinbach, President of the Society of Civil War Surgeons. Steinbach will explore the medical history of the Lincoln Family both inside and outside of the White House. Guests can learn interesting facts such as how President Abraham Lincoln almost died of a faulty gas jet in the White House in September 1864 and how Mary Lincoln’s mood swings might have been caused by diabetes. Steinbach will cover these and other lesser-known stories about the medical facts and history surrounding our 16th President and his family.
The program will be held in the historic barn at the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital, which is the best-preserved field hospital from the American Civil War. Ticket holders may drive directly to the property located at 488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg, where 80 acres of the historic site with original buildings from the Battle of Gettysburg are available for exploration before the program begins. The program will last approximately 90 minutes and is limited to 40 attendees. Tickets are required and can be purchased in advance by calling the Gettysburg Foundation’s Guest Relations team or visiting GettysburgFoundation.org.
The Gettysburg Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit philanthropic, educational organization operating in partnership with the National Park Service. The Foundation’s mission is to preserve the Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site and educate the public about their significance. It operates the Museum & Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park, as well as the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. It also offers customized professional leadership development on the Gettysburg battlefield through its Higher Ground Leadership at Gettysburg programming.
Proceeds from ticket purchases for the program will help support the Gettysburg Foundation’s mission of preservation and education in partnership with the National Parks at Gettysburg.
Overall, this is an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in the history surrounding the medical treatment of the Lincoln family, particularly during their time in the White House and the Civil War. Guests can learn interesting facts not commonly taught about Lincoln’s medical history and how it has been treated today. The Gettysburg Foundation also works to preserve and educate visitors about the battlefield’s significance, including the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital, which served as the Union Army’s 11th Corps field hospital and one of the best-preserved field hospitals during the Civil War.