New Visitors' Center

[VS on the belt plate]

Yeah,those allegorical(sp) are a little odd ,LOL.

The statue is female,apparent meant to represent St. Barbara,patron saint of artillerymen.

VS

[cw1865]

Was able to get to the new visitor's center at Gettysburg, very impressive place, absolutely loved the interactive map showing the location of all of the monuments.....excellent exhibits, movies, etc. Could spend an entire day in there, but outside is where I want to be!

[MasonicCav]

The New Center seems very nice, alot of glitz for the new visitor to the battlefield, however I think the old center gave more room for the exhibition of artifacts and less to interpretation.

I was a little overwhelmed by all the multimedia, a little like I just walked into the museum and plugged myself into the internet being bombarded with information as soon as I set foot in the building.

There were many artifacts not yet on display in the new center that were quite intriguing in the old museum. Like the original museums collection that was on display on the second floor, with a host of original bullets, bayonets, canteens and other equipment that was picked up by the first collectors who owned the house what became the visitors center.

My opinion as it may be, I think room should be made for up and coming collections, to display them and leave a little more of interpretation to the guides and the rangers. Me personally I would like to see more exhibit area. However I was MOST pleased by the fact that the museums restraunt has Peanut Soup and Cornbread its been awhile since I had it even at a re-enactment and was a real treat.

To respond however to the posts regarding the little shops at Gettysburg, I think the park service is just looking for thier "cut" as it were. Many people looking to buy books etc will be looking at the visitor center now (me I dont go there, to crowded so I go to the Farnsworth House, and from what I understand most of the guides go there as well).

Re-enactors and those looking for the uniforms will I am sure continue going to sutlers S and S, Regimental Quartermaster, Memories Past, Marinos etc. So No I think the opportunity for markets outside of the visitor center will not only be around but will be indirect beneficiaries of a new center and a renewed interest in the battlefield.

[3rd_PA_Artillery]

I found the new VC to be very detailed, very impressive. They have a touch-screen computer system that maps out the positions of each regiment on each day. That was what really impressed me.

[MasonicCav]

However adding to it again, I must say I am pleased about the visual non-intrusiveness of the new center. The color scheme and building resembles the barn's around Gettysburg. Its also far enough back into the woods that you wont see it above the tree line if you are on the Emittsburg Road (We all remember how WONDERFUL it was to see the observation tower jutting some 70ft above the maple and pine trees.)

Personaly, I would like the Park Service to put some oppotunities for living history demo's near the center. The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg does it, and it seems to draw quite a crowd and alot of weekend visitors.

[MasonicCav]

I was online earlier and noticed that the Pennsylvania monument in Gettysburg is in a severe state of disrepair, so much so that the monument could be closed for some time from tours. Can anyone elaborate?

[cw1865]

Originally Posted by MasonicCav

(We all remember how WONDERFUL it was to see the observation tower jutting some 70ft above the maple and pine trees.)

You didn't like the observation tower? First time I went to Gettysburg, ranger giving me the tour indicated that it was controversial, I just kind've shrugged. Its definitely down now, you only have one on Culp's Hill now.

The location of the visitor's center is definitely a plus, more or less behind the line instead of virtually on it....

[matthew mckeon]

Pennsylvania monument was in good repair in April, anyway. Dang, I wished I had asked about good shops in Gettysburg before going!

[hoosier]

MasonicCav, the Pennsylvania Monument was closed for repairs, for a period of months, either last year or the year before, but has since reopened.

I doubt that they would have reopened it if it were still in such bad shape as to be in imminent need of more repairs. Perhaps you were looking at some outdated information online.

["Lo" 1863]

It was fine on my last visit which was in March.