Winter Lecture Series
Held every weekend beginning January 7 and
ending in March. At the Gettysburg National
Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
Held at one of the film theaters in the Visitor
Center. Program begins at 1:30 p.m. and
lasts approximately one hour. Call
(717) 334-1124, ext. 8023 for details.
First Friday
Friday, February 3
Special sales, artist receptions,
demonstrations, book signings and
later business hours (8 PM). Look for
the First Friday banner at participating
Gettysburg area shops, galleries, tours,
and restaurants. Sponsored by the
Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Assoc.
Hauser After Hours/Winter Luau
Saturday, January 28, 6pm-9pm
At Hauser Estate Winery, 410 Cashtown Rd.,
Biglerville. Free admission. Musical
entertainment included, food available.
Call (717) 334-4888 for details.
Discover artifacts and memorabilia from the Civil War and other major American conflicts. The museum also features beautifully crafted miniature dioramas of ten major conflicts of the Civil War as well as a life-sized narrated Confederate encampment. The museum is located in the former home of the Soldier’s National Orphanage.
Fort Sumter – Charleston, SC April 12, 1861 the war begins! It was April 12, 1861 at four o’clock in the morning, night still lingered in Charleston, South Carolina. Darkness lay over the harbor, hiding the squat outline of Fort Sumter. At dawn, the flag of the United States was raised over it. Shortly after, there was a quick flash, like heat lightning. Then there was a red glow and the roar of a bursting bomb. The Civil War had begun….
Walk through a Confederate encampment at night and see the men washing their clothes, cooking their dinner, playing cards or just trying to relax. Experience the fears and desires of these men as they wonder what the following day may bring.Soldier’s Museum featuring all major events of the Civil War. Step through these doors and a hundred years drop away. Here is the battered drum that rolled beneath the roar of so many battles… the damn yankee rifle that can be "loaded on Sunday and fired all week" …an officer’s uniform, gala with tarnished braid…a rusted canteen. With exciting techniques of "Light and Sound" the most beautiful exacting and exquisitely detailed battle Dioramas ever created of the Civil War bring history dramatically and colorfully alive at the Soldier’s National Museum. A presentation of historic authenticity that will make your spine tingle. Follow every battle with all their significance to every American, from the first shot fired on Fort Sumter to Appomattox and surrender. Your visit will be a thrilling experience and the basis for a deeper understanding of our past.
This famous old building is now the Soldier’s National Museum. During the Battle of Gettysburg it was used by General Howard as his headquarters. In 1866, it was turned into an orphanage that survived until 1877. It was known as “The National Soldier’s Orphan Homestead” and at one time housed 130 boys and girls.
The above photo is Johnny, the wax figure of an orphan chained to the wall in a replica of the dark, dank, cellar-dungeon of the old Civil War orphanage. Hear Charley Weaver’s story of “Johnny’s” dungeon punishment during your Gettysburg visit.
