Park Library & Research Center

Study and research area for the park library.
 

Gettysburg National Military Park maintains a library of books and manuscripts relative to the American Civil War, the Gettysburg Campaign, dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, and the development, interpretation, and administration of Gettysburg National Military Park. Library holdings include books, bound volumes, vertical files, manuscripts, limited photographs, maps, microfilm and audio-visual materials. Within our collection are a number of rare first edition regimental histories, campaign studies, and memoirs.

The Gettysburg National Military Park Library is open to public researchers on a limited basis and by appointment only. Currently, the Gettysburg NMP Library is open to public researchers on Wednesdays only, with appointments open between 9:00 am.—12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.To request an appointment during one of these times, please contact us.

Note: The Research Library will be closed on:

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Wednesday, January 1, 2025



Researchers are required to first report to the Information Desk at the Visitor Center and to sign in upon arriving in the Library Reading Room. Upon arrival at the Visitor Center, please inform security that you have a research appointment in the library. Please note that all bags, including laptop bags and backpacks, are subject to search. Laptop computers, digital cameras, notebook paper, and pencils are welcome but personal files and paper collections are not allowed without pre-arrangement with library staff. Please note that food and drink are prohibited in the Reading Room. All research must be done in the Reading Room. The Reading Room has a copy machine for the use of researchers that also has scanning capability. To reduce paper usage, we recommend that researchers bring a jump drive with them to save copies as pdf files on their individual drives.

Hours for use of the library are subject to change due to staffing requirements and availability is regularly updated on this page. Please note that the park library is closed on all Federal holidays.

Policy on Requests for Copies: Effective June 6, 1998, requests for copies of material from the library must be made in writing and are limited to six requests per individual per year, thirty(30) pages per request. Some materials may not be reproduced due to condition or restricted use outside of the park. Additionally, there are select items we recommend be obtained from the original source or repository. Gettysburg National Military Park reserves the right to refuse requests from parties outside of the National Park Service where conflict in copyright and ownership of materials may arise and requests for documents/files/collections beyond the limited amount noted above. Library staff is limited and replies will take time, so your patience is requested.

Donations to the Park Library: We welcome the consideration of those who wish to donate books or manuscripts to the park but please be aware that we do not accept items dropped off or mailed to the park without prior approval.

Library Address:

Gettysburg National Military Park
Attn. Library
1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100
Gettysburg PA 17325

 
Harry Pfanz Research Collection

LIBRARY VERTICAL FILE & ARCHIVAL BOX COLLECTIONS

The park Library and Research Center is organized into collections by subject matter and sorted by volume, source of the materials, collections, and the kind of materials that are housed for research. Our main two systems are the Vertical File Drawer Collection and the Archival Box Collection, the latter subdivided into collections donated to the park by researchers and authors. To view the indexes of these collections, please visit our LIBRARY RESOURCE GUIDE.

 
How to research a Civil War ancestor
FINDING YOUR CIVIL WAR ANCESTOR

Looking for information about an ancestor who may have served during the Civil War? Follow the link above for suggestions on how to locate service records, unit histories and the like, related to that special ancestor who wore the blue or the gray during the Civil War.
 
 

GETTYSBURG & ADAMS COUNTY HISTORY

The park library does not maintain census records, genealogical or land ownership records of Gettysburg and Adams County residents outside of the battlefield district. For information on the history of this county and the residents who inhabited the area, researchers should contact the Adams County Historical Society at www.achs-pa.org.


Last updated: October 30, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1195 Baltimore Pike
Gettysburg, PA 17325

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