The Gettysburg Foundation has announced that it has received a $676,069 donation from the estate of William E. Aldrich, Ph.D., the board emeritus of the Gettysburg Foundation. The money will be used to support the former Western Maryland Railroad station, known as the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The Gettysburg Foundation has expressed its gratitude for Aldrich’s contribution, which will be used to help preserve and maintain the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station and its exhibits. The station, owned and operated by the foundation, now houses the Ticket to the Past—Unforgettable Journeys virtual reality experience.
Aldrich had personal ties to historic figures such as President Calvin Coolidge, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, and Senator Nelson Aldrich. He was also an army captain and served in the US Army Special Services. Before his retirement, Aldrich served as director of research and chief operating officer of a Fortune 500 textile company.
Aldrich had been a resident of Gettysburg since 1997 and had dedicated more than 24 years to the Friends of Gettysburg, the majority of those years as a First Corps level member. He became a member of the Gettysburg Foundation’s Guardians Society, which is dedicated to Friends who included the Foundation in their estate plans.
Aldrich’s involvement was essential in showcasing his deep commitment to the station’s historical significance. In his memory, the Gettysburg Foundation will carry on his legacy and use the generous gift to preserve the historic landmark.
The Gettysburg Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic, educational organization that operates in partnership with the National Park Service to preserve Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site, educating people globally about their significance. It also 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 Ticket to the Past-Unforgettable Journeys.
For information on how you can become a Friends of Gettysburg member or support the preservation and education mission of the Gettysburg Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service, visit GettysburgFoundation.org or call 877-874-2478.