Marching Presidents aren’t nearly as adorable as marching penguins, but we would love to have Morgan Freeman narrate this article! The Presidential birthdays of March are upon us, which marks a full year of them!
The first Marcher is James Madison, the fourth President of the USA and cousin of George Washington, born March 16, 1751 on a tobacco plantation in Virginia. He had eleven siblings, but five of them died by the age of 7. He was very scholarly, sometimes to an unhealthy extent, and attended what is now Princeton University in New Jersey. He helped draft the Constitution and wrote the Bill of Rights, and is remembered as the “Father” of both. He declared the War of 1812, which proved mostly inconclusive but produced our national anthem. At 5’4”, he was the shortest President, but his influence on the development of our country was enormous!
Not far behind Madison is Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson, born March 15, 1767 to Irish immigrants from the peculiarly-named village of Boneybefore. His actual birthplace is disputed because his mother was traveling at the time, and North and South Carolina’s borders were not officially established. As a General, he battled both the Creek Indians at Horseshoe Bend and the British in the War of 1812. He took office in 1829 and practically founded the Democratic Party, though his belief in a limited federal government better reflects the views of modern Libertarians. To that effect, he opposed the national bank and eventually allowed it to collapse. His aggressive nature often put him in duels. In one such duel, he took a bullet in the arm from future senator Thomas Benton. He did not have the bullet removed until 19 years later, upon which he jokingly attempted to return it to Benton.
Three Presidents later came John Tyler, the first Vice President to succeed the presidency following the death of the President. He entered the world on March 29, 1790 in Charles City County, Virginia—the same place where his predecessor, William Henry Harrison, was born and raised. He became a lawyer at age 19—too young, according to the bar, but the presiding judge didn’t check his age. His unusual ascent to President meant that some people never accepted him as more than a VP; their unflattering nickname for him was “His Accidency.” When he twice vetoed legislature to recreate the national bank (that Jackson had dismantled), his entire cabinet resigned except for Daniel Webster. Even his death went unmourned in Washington; after his presidency he supported the Confederacy throughout the Civil War.
Closing up the ranks is Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, and the only one to serve non-consecutive terms. Caldwell, New Jersey welcomed his birth on March 18, 1837. All of his life he was very well liked, which led to his winning popular vote for presidency three times (and the people wanted him to run again!). He was the first to marry in the White House and his wife became the youngest First Lady in history at age 21. In 1893, Cleveland needed surgery for oral cancer but, because of the Panic of 1893, decided to keep it quiet. He arranged to board a friends yacht, where a team of surgeons actually removed his upper jaw. In 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated to him.
The Presidents go marching month by month, hurrah, hurrah! Read about February’s Presidents here!
Our Packages are changing for the 2012 season:
The Value Plan will consist of choice of Bus Tour and 3 tickets for 3 museums out of the following 8 locations:
1.Hall of Presidents & First Ladies
2.Soldiers National Museum
3.The Jennie Wade House Museum
4.The Lincoln Train Museum
5.The Gettysburg Battle Theatre
6.The Gettysburg Diorama
7.The American Civil War Museum
8.David Wills House
Cost: Adults $42.00 Children (ages 6-12) $24.50. 5-7 hours to complete.
The Package Plan will consist of choice of Bus Tour and 5 tickets for 5 museums out of the following 8 locations:
1.Hall of Presidents & First Ladies
2.Soldiers National Museum
3.The Jennie Wade House Museum
4.The Lincoln Train Museum
5.The Gettysburg Battle Theatre
6.The Gettysburg Diorama
7.The American Civil War Museum
8.David Wills House
Cost: Adults $53.00 Children (ages 6-12) $30.00. 7-9 hours to complete.
Tickets in the Value Plan/Package Plan can be used throughout your stay, they do not need to be used all in one day.
Learn more!
Before your walking tour begins, the Ghostly Images Showcase is a must! This fearful feature returns on March 10th with a NEW price! There’s no walking, so it won’t wear you out, but we can’t promise it won’t freak you out!
Opens daily at 3 PM. New gift shop items every day!
It’s time to put away the hunting rifle and dust off the PKE meter. That’s right, it’s Ghost Season! Whether you’ve got bonafide ecto-goggles or just an iPhone video camera, gear up and get ready. The 2012 season of Ghostly Images Tours kicks off on Saturday, March 10, and the spirits have been very restless. Was that the icy grip of winter or the icy grip of a Civil War phantom? Be careful: you can hunt them…but they can haunt you. Will you be the one to catch the ghosts in the act?
Ghostly Images is proud to announce the appearance of some thrilling, chilling new tours that might just be the spookiest yet. Imagine the utter eeriness of a wax museum…in the pitch black night. Your only companion—your lifeline—is our creepy caretaker, who knows far more about the dead and departed than any living person rightfully should. We don’t let him out often, but he’s the only one willing to brave the house of wax in the dark. Those who aren’t afraid will learn the Haunted Histories that have plagued our nation’s presidents. Listen closely and don’t interrupt…he’s been known to leave rude guests locked in the cellar.
Do you like to play Truth or Dare? Then you’ll love our twisted twist on it. Introducing Truth or Scare—the ghost game you won’t find anywhere else. Throughout the tour, your guide will spin stories of specters and spooks, phantasms and phenomenons, but here’s the catch: some of them aren’t true. Can you guess which? Test your paranormal wisdom and discover who among your friends is the most “in tune” with the spirit world. All will be revealed at the end of the tour.
Returning this year is the Ghost Bus, fright on four wheels, so book your tickets early. The Ghost Bus will make its appearances on Holiday weekends, Mid-June through Mid-August, and Saturday nights in October. In addition, our Midnight Tours will now feature a presentation by real Ghost Investigators—veterans of the paranormal who are eager to discuss the hauntings they’ve witnessed and show you the compelling evidence for their tales. It’s an aspiring ghost-hunter’s dream come true!
Don’t miss these frightening events—check out our website often for schedules and updates!
You might notice something different about the Hall of Presidents & First Ladies. No, it’s not a new haircut. It isn’t that the presidents haven’t lost weight (but they’re flattered you noticed). The Gift Shop is getting a face lift! Make sure you come see for yourself, or check out the April newsletter for a sneak peek.
With winter waning, soon to succumb to spring, many of our attractions are making their final preparations to reopen for a brand new Gettysburg season. That makes now an excellent time to talk about the best ways to have a safe and happy visit. Take the following advice and you can make sure your vacation doesn’t turn into a National Lampoon Vacation!
As with any outdoor attraction, you must protect yourself from the elements! Nature can be outwitted if you prepare. First of all, hydrate. Make sure you drink plenty of water, especially in the summer. It’s also wise to know where and when you can use the restroom. Sunglasses, sunhats, and sun block can protect you from our solar friend. Be wary of poison ivy (leaves of three, let it be!) and other poisonous plant species. Always check yourself for ticks after you’ve been on a hike. And on the off chance that you encounter a snake, try not to surprise it. Emergency first aid is available; contact a park employee immediately.
It’s a good idea to purchase your tickets online and early: tours sell out and you don’t want to leave that to chance! Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time of the tour and know that tours typically last about 2 hours. Remember to lock your car and keep valuables out of sight. Leave any backpacks and large bags in your vehicle or motel room, they will not be allowed in the Visitor Center. Cameras, however, are highly encouraged. Get some great shots and then send them to us!
Why wait? Reserve your tour now on our website!
If winter has you feeling like a shut-in, we’ve got the cure for Cabin Fever! Our museums return in March, so you can leave the crazies on the couch where they belong, and embark on an adventure! The following museums begin the season on March 10, 2012:
Hall of Presidents and First ladies.
Soldiers National Museum
The Jennie Wade House Museum
The Lincoln Train Museum
Hours will be 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday through Friday and 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays. Mark your calendar!
Period attire isn’t the only new thing at Jennie Wade House—2012 brings a new display that features the bullet Jennie was shot with. This unique piece of history packs a tragic tale into a tiny ball of metal.
Also, look for exciting new souvenirs in the gift shop! Our inventory grows every day!
“Scarcely any Union regiment was in the heart of the storm longer than the Twentieth Massachusetts,” says History Today magazine. They weathered through nearly every battle of the Army of the Potomac, and a few others to boot. At Gettysburg, the men defended a pivotal position during Pickett’s Charge—an assault that, if successful, could have turned the tide of the Civil War. For all that they accomplished, the War took its toll on them: they suffered the highest casualties of any Massachusetts regiment and the fifth highest in the Union.
Known as “The Harvard Regiment,” the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was formed in Roxbury, MA. All of the officers, and a portion of the enlisted men, were Harvard graduates, hence the nickname. The regiment was catapulted into battle in October, 1861, a mere month out of basic training; it was four years before they laid down their weapons at the end of the war. Among the Harvard men who served was Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., who would go on to be nominated to the Supreme Court by Teddy Roosevelt and be remembered as one of the most influential Justices in American history.
One “celebrity” of the Harvard Regiment was Colonel Paul J Revere, who was killed in the Battle of Gettysburg. He was the grandson of his namesake, the midnight rider and patriot of the American Revolution. An unusual monument—a puddingstone boulder—was erected in memory of Revere and the 43 other men of his company who died at the Battle of Gettysburg. The 30-ton colossus, dedicated in 1886, was imported by train from Roxbury, where many of the soldiers grew up. Now, it can be visited on Hancock Avenue, near the immortalized “copse of trees” and the Confederate High Water Mark.
For more monuments that “rock,” click here and here!
The Hall of Presidents & First Ladies does hereby invite you to the extraordinary occasion of a visit from President Ulysses S Grant and his First Lady. Their esteemed personages will be present on the 18th of February, from 1 o’clock to 3 o’clock PM, to welcome and entertain visitors. Please honor us with your attendance!
How better to observe Presidents’ Day than to spend it with the Presidents themselves? The Hall of Presidents is having a weekend long celebration of the birthdays of our chief executives. We offer entertainment and education for the whole family. President Grant will be there to greet our visitors with tales of his presidency on Saturday, February 18th, 2012 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. We will have activity sheets about the Presidents for the young at heart visitors. A good party demands refreshments, so there will be presidential favorites like Mamie Eisenhower’s Fudge and Lincoln’s favorite Cake for all to sample. Birthday celebrations also dictate presents. As a special gift, we will be giving away grab bags with any souvenir purchase of $4 or more. In addition, we will be offering a special discounted admission price to encourage you to learn about our nation’s leaders. How better to beat the winter blues than to come and enjoy our Presidents’ Day Celebration? We hope to see you there.
Additionally, the Hall will be open February 18th-20th, 10 AM – 4 PM.
