Then And Now Pictures of the Battlefield

These Then-And-Now pictures bring together some of the more unforgettable pictures of post-battle Gettysburg with modern versions taken from the same location as the originals. For many, these photographs conjure feelings of awe and amazement along with sadness and despair. These feelings are often magnified when visitors realize they can stand on the same ground – and see the same things – that Alexander Gardner, Timothy O’Sullivan, James Gibson, and others did when they took their unforgettable images in 1863, 1913, and 1938. It is with these unforgettable photographs in mind, and a nod to the men whose timeless images evoke such strong emotions, that we bring you this page. This is our attempt to look back through the windows of time.

  • Click and drag the center circle on each picture back and forth to compare the Then and Now images.
 

Then and Now Pictures

  • Split picture of Civil War sketch artist Alfred Waud sitting on a large rock among large boulders.
    Devil's Den

    Visit Waud Rock, the Slaughter Pen, and the many locations of the Confederate Sharpshooter.

  • Four dead soldiers lay in a field. Split photo, black and white on left, color on right.
    Rose Woods

    Recreate the famous Gardner and O'Sullivan photos of Rose Woods. These Confederate soldiers fought in this area on July 2, 1863.

  • Split picture of Gettysburg electric railway trolley in front of the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
    Gettysburg Electric Railway

    From 1893 to 1916 the Gettysburg Electric Railway Company operated a trolley through the battlefield.

  • Split picture of Little Round Top. Left side is black and white, right side is color of the hill.
    Little Round Top

    The team of Mathew Brady took multiple pictures from different angles of Little Round Top in mid-July 1863.

  • Split picture of the Trostle barn. Left side is black and white and dead horses. Right side is color
    Trostle Farm

    The carcasses of dead horses from Bigelow’s 9th Massachusetts Battery can be seen scattered across the yard of the Trostle farm.

  • Split picture of Civil War era home rented by free African American Basil Biggs and family.
    Buildings and Farms

    Visit buildings and farms from all around the battlefield and town including the Lutheran Seminary, Evergreen Cemetery, and Biggs farm.

  • Split picture. Veterans visiting a large equestrian monument. Left is black & white, right is color.
    1913 Reunion

    The 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg brought thousands of veterans back to the battlefield in 1913 to visit new monuments.

  • Split picture of Civil War veterans shaking hands over a stone wall.
    1938 Reunion

    The 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg brought veterans back to the battlefield for one last visit and to relive friendships.

Last updated: October 26, 2022

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