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This 1943 Office of War Information Poster, designed by Bernard Perlin, reminded Americans of the 1940s of the challenges faced by their ancestors of the 1770s.
Library of Congress
2026 World War II Weekend:
September 18-20, 2026
The Fight for Liberty: The Revolution to the Great Crusade
In 1776, a band of American patriots created a new nation, dedicated to the proposition that all men were created equal. 87 years later, that same nation was tested on the fields of Gettysburg, with freedom and liberty prevailing. The same town of Gettysburg would one day become the home of General Dwight Eisenhower, who, as Supreme Allied Commander during World War II, defended those same ideals of liberty through a “great crusade” on a global stage. As the United States marks its semi-quincentennial, the story of American liberty cannot be told without Gettysburg, Eisenhower, and the Second World War.
Join Eisenhower National Historic Site for its 28th annual World War II Weekend, taking place September 18-20. The 2026 event will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring the deep connections between the ideals of the American founding and those of the Second World War. This year’s event will feature a living history encampment, guest speakers, ranger-guided walking tours, family activities, and more.
All WWII Weekend programming and activities are free of charge. There is no entrance fee for this event. Weather permitting, free on-site parking is available at Eisenhower NHS throughout the weekend for passenger vehicles.
Plan Your Visit to World War II Weekend
World War II Weekend is a free event. There are no fees for visiting, attending programs, or taking part in any event related activities.
Free parking is available on-site at Eisenhower NHS in a farm field adjacent to the living history camp area. Accessible parking is also available at Eisenhower NHS.
Large groups planning on bringing shuttles should reach out to the NPS in advance to coordinate their visit.
To facilitate the safe set up of the living history encampment, the grounds of Eisenhower NHS are closed to visitation on Friday, September 18. Off-site programmin will take place that evening at Gettysburg National Cemetery and the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center.
World War II Weekend is a large event that has many different programs and activities. Seeing the living history camp requires a great amount of walking in order to see each display. It is recommended to bring comfortable footwear, bug spray, sunscreen, and water.
There will be several food and beverage trucks on-site on Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20.
World War II Weekend is a family friendly event. When arriving, pick up a family activity booklet for your children and look for the family activity stop signs throughout the living history camp. Kids who complete five activities can go to our Family Activity Tent to pick up their prize--a personalized WWII dog tag.
2026 Program Schedule
A full schedule of programming for the 2026 World War II Weekend event is available below.
Please note this lineup is subject to change. All programs and events are free of charge. Outdoor programs are weather dependent. Any program or event changes will be posted to the Eisenhower NHS website and social media pages.
Author and historian Katherine Carter will be the 2026 Keynote Speaker for World War II Weekend on Friday, September 18.
Image courtesy of Katherine Carter
Friday, September 18
Ranger Guided Tour of WWII Burials in Gettysburg National Cemetery
These programs meet inside the Taneytown Road entrance to the cemetery, Auto Tour Stop #16, Gettysburg NMP.
5:00—1941 and 1942: America Goes to War
Gettysburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 500 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who died during World War II. Join us for a special series of cemetery tours that will guide visitors through the entirety of America’s involvement in World War II. The first program in this series will share stories of those who fought and died in 1941 and 1942, featuring casualties from Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, and North Africa.
Evening Keynote Program at GNMP Visitor Center
6:30 PM—Churchill’s Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before the Storm
General Dwight Eisenhower believed that World War II was won through alliances. No partnership was greater than that between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the United States. Katherine Carter, the curator of Chartwell, Churchill’s home in Kent, England, joins us to discuss the man whom Eisenhower once described as “a champion of freedom.” Carter is the author of Churchill’s Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before the Storm. This conversational program will explore Churchill's leadership, personality, and how he prepared both himself and Britain for war in the 1930s.
This program takes place at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center Theater. The program will be followed by a book signing.
A free ticket is required for this program. Tickets are available at this link, courtesy of the Gettysburg Foundation. Tickets can also be reserved at 877-874-2478.
There are activities and programs for all ages at World War II Weekend.
NPS Photo
Saturday, September 19
Ranger Guided Tours of WWII Burials in Gettysburg National Cemetery
These programs meet inside the Taneytown Road entrance to the cemetery, Auto Tour Stop #16, Gettysburg NMP.
9:00 AM—1943: America at War
Gettysburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 500 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who died during World War II. Join us for a special series of cemetery tours that will guide visitors through the entirety of America’s involvement in World War II. This Saturday morning program will feature stories of those who fought in 1943, ranging from the Solomon Islands to Sicily and Italy.
5:00 PM—1944: Liberation in Europe and the Pacific
Gettysburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 500 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who died during World War II. Join us for a special series of cemetery tours that will guide visitors through the entirety of America’s involvement in World War II. Our Saturday evening program will highlight Americans from 1944, when America waged a global war in the Pacific and Europe against fascism and tyranny. Explore stories from Saipan, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge.
WWII Living History Camp at Eisenhower National Historic Site, 9 am to 5 pm
Join hundreds of living history volunteers to explore stories of those who fought for liberty during World War II.
Family Programming at Eisenhower National Historic Site, 9 am to 5 pm
World War II Weekend has fun for visitors of all ages. Kids ages 5 and up can pick up a Family Booklet at the Welcome Tent and complete special activities in the living history camp to earn their very own personalized WWII themed prize! In addition to the Family Booklet, families are invited to visit the Family Activity Tent for activities, shade, and water.
Eisenhower Home Tours, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Eisenhower home tours are offered in an “open-house” format. Meet the ranger in front of the Eisenhower home.
Eisenhower NHS Guest Speakers and Ranger Programming
All programs last 45-60 minutes unless otherwise noted. Information on book signings and times will be posted in September.
9:30 AM— Citizen Soldiers, Training for War: An Immersive Walking Tour Experience
Join a park ranger and members of the Greatest Generation Living History Association as they embark on a training exercise, preparing new recruits for war on the grounds of the Redding farm in Gettysburg, PA (Modern day Eisenhower NHS). Note: this is an interactive walking program and will be leaving the living history camp area. Visitors should be advised that this will involve walking over uneven terrain. Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the Living History Camp.
10:00 AM—Dr. Matthew Delmont—Half-American: The Heroic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad
Join Dartmouth College professor and historian Dr. Matthew Delmont to explore the stories of African-Americans who served and fought in World War II. This program takes place at the Eisenhower NHS Speakers' Tent. Click here for more on this program and speaker.
11:00 AM—Why We Fight: Become a War Correspondent—Ranger Guided Walking Tour
Why did men and women take up arms for liberty in the 1940s? Join a park ranger and become a WWII War Correspondent in this interactive program. Visit select living history camp sites, find out what daily life was like for those who fought 80 years ago, and report to the American people on the Home Front. Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the Living History Camp.
11:30 AM—To Be Announced
Information on this speaker will be announced as soon as it is available.
12:30 PM—The Arsenal of Democracy: Weapons and Vehicles of Liberation—Ranger Guided Walking Tour
Join a park ranger and explore the vehicles and weapons used as Americans and their Allies fought for liberty during World War II. From Jeeps to the M1 Garand, this program will highlight American war production, as seen in the displays within the living history camp. Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the Living History Camp.
1:00 PM—Dr. David Nasaw—The Wounded Generation: The Return Home from World War II.
Dr. David Nasaw, a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and bestselling author, joins us to explore what happened when “the Greatest Generation” returned home from World War II. This program takes place at the Eisenhower NHS Speakers' Tent. Click here for more on this program and speaker.
2:00 PM—The American Soldier: Valley Forge to the Hurtgen Forest—Ranger Guided Walking Tour
From the camps of Valley Forge to the wintry conditions of the Hurtgen Forest, American soldiers have endured greatly in the cause of liberty through the generations. Join a park ranger and explore the privations, sacrifices, and perseverance of American soldiers from the Revolution to World War II. Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the Living History Camp.
2:30 PM—Dr. Kevin Weddle—Crisis in Command: Washington in 1777 and Eisenhower in 1943
Though separated by nearly two centuries, George Washington in 1777 and Dwight Eisenhower in 1943 demonstrated remarkably similar leadership qualities during what were arguably the most challenging years of their careers. Join award-winning historian Dr. Kevin Weddle to explore the connections between these two leading generals. This program takes place at the Eisenhower NHS Speakers' Tent. Click here for more on this program and speaker.
3:30 PM— Citizen Soldiers, Training for War: An Immersive Walking Tour Experience
Join a park ranger and members of the Greatest Generation Living History Association as they embark on a training exercise, preparing new recruits for war on the grounds of the Redding farm in Gettysburg, PA (Modern day Eisenhower NHS). Note: this is an interactive walking program and will be leaving the living history camp area. Visitors should be advised that this will involve walking over uneven terrain. Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the Living History Camp.
Gettysburg NMP Museum and Visitor Center Special Exhibits, 9am-5pm
Visit special exhibits by the Museum of the U.S. Navy, the National Museum of the Marine Corps, and Eisenhower NHS at the Gettysburg NMP Museum and Visitor Center.
Sunday, September 20
Ranger Guided Walking Tour of WWII Burials in Gettysburg National Cemetery
These programs meet inside the Taneytown Road entrance to the cemetery, Auto Tour Stop #16, Gettysburg NMP.
9:00 AM—1945: Victory, and the Return Home
Gettysburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 500 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who died during World War II. Join us for a special series of cemetery tours that will guide visitors through the entirety of America’s involvement in World War II. Our Sunday morning program--the fourth and final in this series-- will highlight Americans from 1945, when America and its allies defeated fascism and tyranny in Europe and the Pacific.
WWII Living History Camp at Eisenhower NHS,
9 am to 3 pm
Family Programming at Eisenhower NHS, 9 am to 3 pm
World War II Weekend has fun for visitors of all ages. Kids ages 5 and up can pick up a Family Booklet at the Welcome Tent and complete special activities in the living history camp to earn their very own personalized WWII themed prize! Kids have the option of choosing a WWII victory ribbon or their very own dog tag! In addition to the Family Booklet, families are invited to visit the Family Activity Tent for activities, shade, and water.
Eisenhower Home Tours, 9 am to 3 pm
Eisenhower home tours are offered in an “open-house” format. Meet the ranger in front of the Eisenhower home.
Eisenhower NHS Guest Speakers and RangerProgramming
All programs last 45-60 minutes unless otherwise noted. Information on book signings and times will be posted in September.
9:30 AM—Citizen Soldiers, Training for War—An Immersive Ranger Guided Walking Tour
Join a park ranger and members of the Greatest Generation Living History Association as they embark on a training exercise, preparing new recruits for war on the grounds of the Redding farm in Gettysburg, PA (Modern day Eisenhower NHS). Note: this is an interactive walking program and will be leaving the living history camp area. Visitors should be advised that this will involve walking over uneven terrain. Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the Living History Camp.
10:00 AM—Lena Andrews: Valiant Women
Discover the heroic stories of American women who served and supported the Allied effort during World War II with Dr. Lena Andrews, author of the acclaimed Valiant Women. This program takes place at the Eisenhower NHS Speakers' Tent. Click here for more on this program and speaker.
10:30 AM— The American Soldier: Valley Forge to Hurtgen Forrest—Ranger Guided Walking Tour
From the camps of Valley Forge to the wintry conditions of the Hurtgen Forest, American soldiers have endured greatly in the cause of liberty through the generations. Join a park ranger and explore the privations, sacrifices, and perseverance of American soldiers from the Revolution to World War II. Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the Living History Camp.
11:30 AM— Park Ranger John Tuskan—Monty and Ike: Allies in Spirit, Opposites in Style
World War II was won with alliances. Explore the comlicated and fascinating relationship between General Dwight Eisenhower and Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery with Park Ranger John Tuskan in this program on coalition building, varying leadership styles, and how leaders work together. This program takes place at the Eisenhower NHS Speakers' Tent. Click here for more on this program and speaker.
12:00 PM—The Arsenal of Democracy: Weapons and Vehicles of Liberation—Ranger Guided Walking Tour
Join a park ranger and explore the vehicles and weapons used as Americans and their Allies fought for liberty during World War II. From Jeeps to the M1 Garand, this program will highlight American war production, as seen in the displays within the living history camp. Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the Living History Camp.
1:00 PM—Dr. Jared Frederick—Reel History: The True Tale Behind the D-Day Movie Pressure
Wrap up our speakers’ tent programming with Dr. Jared Frederick, host of the popular YouTube channel Reel History, for a look at the 2026 D-Day drama Pressure. How has this recent Hollywood film depicted the events of D-Day? How does popular culture influence our view of historic events? This program takes place at the Eisenhower NHS Speakers' Tent. Click here for more on this program and speaker.
2:00 PM—Why We Fight: Become a War Correspondent—Ranger Guided Walking Tour
Why did men and women take up arms for liberty in the 1940s? Join a park ranger and become a WWII War Correspondent. Visit select living history camp sites, find out what daily life was like for those who fought 80 years ago, and report to the American people on the Home Front. Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the Living History Camp.
Gettysburg NMP Museum and Visitor Center Special Exhibits, 9am-3pm
Visit special temporary exhibits by the Museum of the U.S. Navy and the National Museum of the Marine Corps at the Gettysburg NMP Museum and Visitor Center.
Living history volunteers at the 2025 World War II Weekend event
NPS Photo
Living History Participants
Contact Us:
Living history groups or individuals who have questions or are are interested in participating in 2026 events at Eisenhower NHS can contact us here.
Living History Guidelines:
Living history groups and individuals must agree to NPS guidelines and policies and be approved by the NPS to participate in this event. Click the link below for this year's guidelines.
Eisenhower National Historic Site's World War II Weekend is not a World War II reenactment. For the National Park Service policy on reenactments, click here.
