Beyond the Battle
History Remains the Main Draw But Gettysburg Offers More
By Guy Fletcher
GETTYSBURG, Pa.—Just miles from the Mason-Dixon Line, it isn’t too difficult for the geographically challenged Frederick Countian to find himself in Gettysburg by mistake. It actually happened to me once during a hunt for covered bridges.
It was the Sachs Covered Bridge, to be specific, which is a lovely historic structure in southern Adams County, Pa. It was my wife who wanted to see the bridge, which, unbeknownst to me, was less than two miles from Gettysburg. After spending an entire 10 minutes seeing all we could see at the bridge, we drove around the beautiful countryside and soon found plenty of monuments, road markers and split-rail fences.
Now, there are two versions of this story. The one I tell is this was just a happy mistake and we simply stumbled into the battlefield. My wife’s version is this was my plan all along. The truth remains murky, but suffice it to say we spent a good part of the day in Gettysburg National Military Park’s beautiful Museum and Visitor Center. I guess it just worked out that way. For me, at least.
But there is more to Gettysburg than the battlefield, a lot more—even during a time of the year when you might assume the battle takes center stage.
“Gettysburg definitely comes alive in the summer,” says Mary Grace Kauffman, media relations manager for Destination Gettysburg, the tourism organization for the town and Adams County.
Acknowledging the battlefield is “the crown jewel that brings people here,” Kauffman points to other attractions and events that draw visitors, such as the Blueberry Festival on July 13, the Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival July 20-21 and Gettysburg Bike Week July 11-14. “You’ll see hundreds, if not thousands, of motorcyclists come through,” she says.
The town of Gettysburg boasts dining and shopping with a splash of history. A growing craft beverage scene seems to add a new establishment every year and there are even restaurants that offer period dining with Civil War-era dishes.
“I wish more people knew there was so much more to do beyond the battlefield,” Kauffman says.
For a complete list of events in Gettysburg and Adams County, visit destinationgettysburg.com.
Of course, Gettysburg National Military Park remains the biggest draw in the area. There will be no shortage of events this month—including tours, talks and hikes—related to the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place July 1-3, 1863.
Until Labor Day, the 100 Night of Taps program will occur every evening at 7 p.m. the National Cemetery, site of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Listen as a bugler sounds the familiar 24-note call in honor of those who died during the battle. “It really is a solemn thing to experience,” Kauffman says.
The official 161st Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg Reenactment will take place July 6 and 7 at the nearby Daniel Lady Farm. The event will feature military demonstrations, a living history village and a full-scale battle reenactment. “This is where you are going to see massive groups of reenactors,” she says.
For a full listing of official battle anniversary events, dates, times and other information, visit the battlefield’s official website at www.nps.gov/gett. For information about the reenactment, go to www.danielladyfarm.com/events.