Pre and Post Battle Anniversary Programming

161st Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg Pre and Post Battle Programs

TOP 10 TIPS for a Safe and Enjoyable Battle Anniversary.
 

1. Know before you go! The full schedule for the Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary from June 29/30 and July 6/7 can be found on our website. 

2. The regular Summer Ranger program schedule is suspended during the Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary events from June 29 to July 3 and on July 6 and 7. Regular programming will take place on July 4 and 5. 

3. Watch the weather and know our cancellation policy.  

• In the event of thunderstorm or tornado warnings, or a heat index more than 103 degrees, all programs will be canceled.  

• In the event of a heat index more than 91 degrees, programs will be shortened and modified. 

4. Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water, know your limitations, and don't overexert yourself. 

5. We offer a variety of programming for all age levels, interests, and abilities including Family programs, Sacred Trust talks (in partnership with the Gettysburg Foundation), 100 Nights of Taps, and Living History demonstrations. 

6. Ticks! Ticks! Ticks! (And don’t forget their friends; chiggers and mosquitoes.) Please use bug spray and wear long pants. 

7. Prepare yourself against the harmful effects of the sun. Please use sunscreen, wear a hat, and consider a cooling cloth to help keep you cool and protected from the sun. 

8. Sturdy walking shoes or boots are a must for the anniversary hikes.  

9. Remember the Six Ps: Proper Parking Prevents Park Protection Problems. Please keep all four wheels on the pavement and park as directed. 

10. What about the reenactments? The National Park Service does not allow reenactments within the battlefield park, though several occur on private property outside the park boundary. However, Living History demonstrations take place throughout the park. 

 

Sunset over the fields near the McPherson Barn with the statue of John Reynolds in the distance.

NPS Photo

 

The three-day Battle of Gettysburg marked a turning point not only in the course of the American Civil War, but also for the future of the United States of America.

Join National Park Service Rangers on the weekends before and after the 161st Anniversary of the battle for a series of free guided walks and talks that discuss, explore, and reflect on this important chapter in our nation's history.

On all park avenues please park your vehicle on the right side of the road, unless otherwise directed, with all wheels on the pavement.

Schedule is subject to change.

The Aftermath of Battle: July 6 and 7

Daily Ranger Guided Programs and Events

Gettysburg History Hike (90 minutes)
Hike from the Visitor Center to Cemetery Ridge where fighting raged on July 2 & 3, 1863. Get an overview of the battle, visit the site of Pickett’s Charge, explore the Bloody Angle, and walk in the footsteps of the men who struggled there. Daily at 10:00 AM. Meet at Ranger Site 1, behind the Museum and Visitor Center.

The David Wills House Museum
Explore the home of David and Catherine Wills and visit the place where Abraham Lincoln completed the Gettysburg Address. This National Park Service Museum is open free of charge. Open 11 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

National Cemetery Tour (45 minutes)
Explore the meaning and cost of the Battle of Gettysburg, and of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Find out how the National Cemetery was established, who is buried there, and why Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address still has meaning for us today.
Meet at the Taneytown Road entrance to the National Cemetery.
11:00 A.M., 3:00 P.M., 5:30 P.M.

100 Nights of Taps (30 minutes)
Gather in the National Cemetery to learn more about the men buried there and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Listen as the notes of taps fill the air in Gettysburg as the famous 24-note call is sounded in honor of those who died during the three-day battle.
Meet at the Soldiers’ National Monument, Gettysburg National Cemetery.
7 P.M.

Civilian Stories: Historic Battlefield Buildings

Over the course of the weekend visitors will be able to explore the interiors of select historic battlefield buildings. Discover the stories of the families who called them home and the turbulent events that swirled around them. Buildings are open to the public from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

The Edward McPherson Barn
A landmark on the First Day’s Battlefield, the barn is the only surviving element of the Edward McPherson Farm. It was used as a field hospital and aide station during and after the fighting. Park along Stone and Meredith Avenue.

The James Warfield Home
Occupied at the time of the battle by members of Gettysburg's African American community, the historic James Warfield Home has recently been rehabilitated by the National Park Service. Step inside this modest home and discover the often-forgotten story of Gettysburg’s black citizens and the challenges they faced during the summer of 1863. Park along West Confederate Avenue. Do not park on Millerstown Road.

The Lydia Leister House
Built in 1800, this log building was the home of Lydia Leister and her family. On July 2 and 3, 1863 Union General George Meade established Army headquarters here. Park in the National Cemetery Parking Lot, or at the Hunt Avenue Lot.

Anniversary Battle Walks

These special two-hour programs involve significant walking, occasionally over rough terrain. Water, headgear, sun protection, insect repellent and sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended. All four tires must remain on pavement when parking alongside avenues.

July 6

10:00 A.M. – The Aftermath of Battle—The Photography of Alexander Gardner at Devil’s Den

We’ll use our Then and Now web page to help tell the story of the aftermath of the battle around Devil’s Den and stand where the photographers stood when they captured their iconic photographs.

Requirements:

• Visitors will need to use their smart phone or tablet for this interactive program.
• Long pants and sturdy shoes. This program will utilize mowed trails.

• Umbrellas are suggested. There will be no available shade and they will help cut down on smart device glare.

Meet at Big Round Top Parking Lot. Park at the Big Round Top Parking Lot and along South Confederate Avenue.

3:00 P.M. – Wounded along the Wall: Medical Vignettes of Pickett’s Charge (Co-sponsored by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides)
Meet at the 126th New York Monument, Ziegler's Grove. Park in the National Cemetery Parking Lot and on Hancock Avenue. Program ends at the High-Water Mark, Hancock Avenue.

July 7

10:00 A.M. – Pickett's Charge and the War for Memory (Co-Sponsored by the Africana Studies Department, Gettysburg College)
Explore the history of the Battle of Gettysburg, including monuments, veterans' reunions, and the experiences of enslaved and free African Americans on the battlefield.
Program begins at the Meade Equestrian Statue, Hancock Avenue. Program ends at the Virginia Memorial, West Confederate Avenue. Park on Hancock Avenue

3:00 P.M. – "The Place was Greatly Injured by the Troops..." Gettysburg’s Civilian Story: Part II
Find out what happened to the Trostle, Klingle, Sherfy, Wentz, and Rogers families during and after the battle and the events that transpired literally on their doorsteps. Hear their stories of heartache, their efforts to rebuild their lives in the wake of this storm of battle, and how they remembered this life-changing event.
Program begins at Trostle Farm, United States Avenue. Park on United States Avenue.

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Weather Modification

• In the event of thunderstorm or tornado warnings, or a heat index in excess of 103 degrees, all programs will be canceled.
• In the event of a heat index of excess of 91 degrees, programs will be shortened and modified.

 

Explore the

161st Battle Anniversary

 

On the Eve of Battle: June 29 and 30

Daily Ranger Guided Programs and Events

Gettysburg History Hike (90 minutes)
Hike from the Visitor Center to Cemetery Ridge where fighting raged on July 2 & 3, 1863. Get an overview of the battle, visit the site of Pickett’s Charge, explore the Bloody Angle, and walk in the footsteps of the men who struggled there. Daily at 10:00 AM. Meet at Ranger Site 1, behind the Museum and Visitor Center.

The David Wills House Museum
Explore the home of David and Catherine Wills and visit the place where Abraham Lincoln completed the Gettysburg Address. This National Park Service Museum is open free of charge. Open 11 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

National Cemetery Tour (45 minutes)
Explore the meaning and cost of the Battle of Gettysburg, and of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Find out how the National Cemetery was established, who is buried there, and why Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address still has meaning for us today.
Meet at the Taneytown Road entrance to the National Cemetery.
11:00 A.M., 3:00 P.M., 5:30 P.M.

100 Nights of Taps (30 minutes)
Gather in the National Cemetery to learn more about the men buried there and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Listen as the notes of taps fill the air in Gettysburg as the famous 24-note call is sounded in honor of those who died during the three-day battle.
Meet at the Soldiers’ National Monument, Gettysburg National Cemetery.
7 P.M.

Civilian Stories: Historic Battlefield Buildings

Over the course of the weekend visitors will be able to explore the interiors of select historic battlefield buildings. Discover the stories of the families who called them home and the turbulent events that swirled around them. Buildings are open to the public from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

The Edward McPherson Barn
A landmark on the First Day’s Battlefield, the barn is the only surviving element of the Edward McPherson Farm. It was used as a field hospital and aide station during and after the fighting. Park along Stone and Meredith Avenue.

The James Warfield Home
Occupied at the time of the battle by members of Gettysburg's African American community, the historic James Warfield Home has recently been rehabilitated by the National Park Service. Step inside this modest home and discover the often-forgotten story of Gettysburg’s black citizens and the challenges they faced during the summer of 1863. Park along West Confederate Avenue. Do not park on Millerstown Road.

The Lydia Leister House
Built in 1800, this log building was the home of Lydia Leister and her family. On July 2 and 3, 1863 Union General George Meade established Army headquarters here. Park in the National Cemetery Parking Lot, or at the Hunt Avenue Lot.

Anniversary Battle Walks

These special two-hour programs involve significant walking, occasionally over rough terrain. Water, headgear, sun protection, insect repellent and sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended. All four tires must remain on pavement when parking alongside avenues.

June 29

3:00 P.M. – "If I Must Die I will Die at Home" - Gettysburg’s Civilian Story: Part I
Follow in the footsteps of the many citizens who called Gettysburg home before war arrived at their doorstep. Explore the lives of the Trostle, Klingle, Sherfy, Wentz, and Rogers families and their livelihoods leading up to the fateful summer of 1863. This two-part battlewalk series will conclude their stories and the battle's aftermath on Sunday, July 7 at 3:00 P.M. Program begins at Trostle Farm, United States Avenue. Park on United States Avenue.

June 30

3:00 P.M-“We poured a most destructive fire upon their flanks” - The Bucktail Brigade at Gettysburg (In partnership with Gettysburg’s Licensed Battlefield Guides)
They were known as the “Bogus Bucktails,” a brigade formed to emulate the original Bucktail Regiment which had such a stellar reputation. Recruited in 1862, the 143rd, 149th and 150th Pennsylvania Volunteers were formed into the Bucktail Brigade at the request of Pennsylvania’s Governor Andrew Curtin. The Bucktail Brigade of the Third Division, First Corps, arrived on the battlefield west of Gettysburg late morning of July 1. From their position along the Chambersburg Pike and among the buildings of the McPherson farm, endured enfilading artillery fire from the west and north, and faced brigades from both Hill’s and Ewell’s Corps. Join LBG Therese Orr to learn about the actions of these “Bogus Bucktails,” including the heroics of the color company of the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry. Program begins Tour Stop 1, McPherson Ridge. Program ends at 143rd PA Monument, Reynolds Avenue. Park on Reynolds Avenue.

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Weather Modification

• In the event of thunderstorm or tornado warnings, or a heat index in excess of 103 degrees, all programs will be canceled.
• In the event of a heat index of excess of 91 degrees, programs will be shortened and modified.

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