The Gettysburg Foundation invites area residents and Gettysburg visitors to Family Day at Spangler, a free, one-day event Saturday, May 25, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. Residents of the local community and visitors to Gettysburg have this springtime opportunity to explore the historic George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital with free admission on Family Day, a time when families can enjoy experiencing history, exploring the restored 80-acre historic site and making memories. Guests can interact with and learn from living historians and historic barn preservationists on-site throughout the day:
• Blue & Gray Hospital Association: Civil War living history and educational organization that teaches the public about Civil War medicine and the roles of caregivers, medical staff, orderlies and ambulance corpsman, as well as the civilian nurses and field relief.
• Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery: A historical unit that fought at the Battle of Gettysburg July 2 and 3, 1863, will have an encampment and discussions on the Battery’s campaigns with the Army of the Potomac and their role in Pickett’s Charge, as well as an artillery drill and Civil War music.
• Colonel Roberts: Living historians bring joyful teachings of the simple pleasures and way of life for families during this difficult period in American history. Doll making, period games, fashions and activities of the time are brought to life, demonstrating pastimes that helped heal the brokenhearted and mend the fabric of the American family way of life during the Civil War era.
• Historic Barn Preservation: Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (HGAC) interprets the design, construction and use of the iconic Pennsylvania Bank Barn and discusses the restoration that revived the historic barn.
“We are happy to invite the community and visitors to explore the best-preserved field hospital from the American Civil War. Memorial Day weekend is a wonderful time for folks to visit the site during the springtime before we reopen for the summer season in early June,” said Gettysburg Foundation Spangler Farm Site Coordinator Paul Semanek. “We are glad to partner with our living historians and local organizations to bring history alive and make this event special for our community and guests,” added Semanek.
Family-friendly programming, activities and offerings include interactive living history, Spangler family and civilian stories during and after the battle, Civil War medicine history with a Civil War Wheeling (Rosecrans) ambulance reproduction on display, cannon demonstrations (without firing) and a treat from local favorite Mr. G’s Old-fashioned Ice Cream. Visitors to Family Day at Spangler may drive to the property, located at 488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg, where limited on-site parking will be available.
GEORGE SPANGLER FARM & FIELD HOSPITAL
A successful family farm before and after the Battle of Gettysburg, the historic George Spangler Farm served as the Union Army’s 11th Corps field hospital where more than 1,900 wounded soldiers—both Union and Confederate—received care. The site also served as an artillery reserve, ammunition reserve, provost guard and a temporary cemetery for both Union and Confederate soldiers. Located at 488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the meticulously rehabilitated historic site features restored and renovated, original buildings from the battle. The Gettysburg Foundation owns, operates and maintains the historical integrity of the original buildings and property of this historic site.
GETTYSBURG FOUNDATION
The 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 Ticket to the Past – Unforgettable Journeys. 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 or make a donation 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 benefit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.