As of May 2023, the Rose Farm & Rose Lane are closed to all visitation. The house will undergo a full rehabilitation. This work prohibits the use of the area around the house and lane during construction. Worker safety and resource protection are key.
The David Wills House closed in October 2024 due to a burst water line and will remain closed for the remainder of 2025. No known reopening date is available. Please visit our David Wills House web page for more information and a 3D tour of the house. More
"History Labs" are complete place-based, hands' on, and collaborative lesson instructions and materials that teachers reserve and pick-up on the day of their field trip. Each lesson takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete, and most are adaptable for students from Grades 4 to 12. "Teach the Teacher" videos as well as lesson plans and instructions will be made available prior to your field trip.
Information on how to register for a History Lab can be found below.
What History Labs Do We Offer?
Battlefield Sketch Artist
Grade Level: 2-6
Location: East Cemetery Hill (Recommended)
Essential Question: How did Americans get their news from the Battlefield?Activity: Sketch East Cemetery Hill while learning about artist Alfred Waud at Gettysburg.
You Are A Soldier!
Grade Level: 2-6
Location: Lunch Area Near Bus Parking Lot at Visitor Center (Recommended)
Essential Question(s): How did soldiers dress?What did they carry?How did they train?
Activity: See and feel some uniform and equipment items; participate in some basic infantry drills
Signal Flag Communication
Grade Level: 4-12
Location: Meade's Headquarters
Essential Question(s): What skills and abilities were necessary to effectively send and receive messages during a Civil War campaign?
Activity: In teams, send and receive messages using two signal flags and a cipher code.
Docs and Rocks at Devil's Den
Grade Level: 5-10
Location: Devil's Den
Essential Question(s): How can understanding science improve our understanding of history, and vice versa?
Activity: Classify & date battlefield boulders; triage battle wounded;examine medical technology.
The Gettysburg Address
Grade Level: 6-12
Location: Gettysburg National Cemetery
Essential Question(s): What were the motivating factors for Lincoln’s trip to Gettysburg, and was the trip and his speech effective?
Activity: Tour the National Cemetery; piece together the Gettysburg Address where it was delivered.
After The Battle
Grade Level: 6-12
Location: Gettysburg National Cemetery
Essential Question: What happened on Cemetery Hill after the battle, and how did it affect the meaning of the war?
Activity: Identify soldiers based on their personal effects; read soldier letters, graveside.
How To Reserve
Thank you for making Gettysburg National Military Park a part of your year!
To Begin Your Reservation Request for a History Lab, please Email our education team the following information:
Subject Line: Reservation Request History Lab
School or organization
School street address, city, state, zip
School/Contact phone number
Teacher/Leader Name
Teacher/Leader Email
Grade(s)
Number of students/participants
Lab(s) of interest
Possible Dates (and Times for Lab pick-up and drop-off)
Additional questions/comments/considerations
Please Note: All programs and procedures are subject to change.
