Visiting The Harman Farm At Gettysburg

For those visiting Gettysburg in the future and interested in seeing psuedo-virgin battlefield land. - the Civil War Trust & The Land Conservancy, approximately a year ago, purchased a large tract of land (about 80+ acres) known as the Harman Farm. It only took 150 years to get it , but at this point it is prime battlefield land on the first day's battlefield, and is west of Willoughby Run - the area where Hill's Corps launched their attack against the Union on July 1st. It has been in private hands for those 150 years - farming, a Mineral Water business (Katalysine Springs) which were speculators, a hotel, then a country club etc. The grounds of the country club had a 9 hole golf course etc. - which is a positive as there was minimum disturbance of the area in regards to possible archeological material. We have just went on a Park Seminar tour of the grounds with Gettysburg's Chief Historian Scott Hartwig & John Heiser. The grounds will possibly be ready for the public in 1 - 2 years (interpretive signs etc.). The grounds are open to the public, though not openly "advertised", and the "secret" way to gain access to it. Go to the 19th Indiana Monument - follow the trail in back of it down to Willoughby Run - a little tricky crossing the run depending on how deep it is from recent rain. When on the west side of the run, climb the slight rise, keep going west and you'll hit a sidewalk (used previously by the golfers) - turn left and keep following the walk until you see houses (going south - that's where the Park property ends - and is also where the Harman Farm & House stood at one time, burned to the ground during the battle). Turn west and follow the walk going West - which will turn North, and just follow the ground (there'll be houses and private property to your left) - until you see the actual Country Club buildings, which is private land, then turn back East towards Willoughby Run and find the area where you had crossed previously - crossing the run and following the trail back up to the 19th Indiana monument. Basically, you'll have been on the land where Heth's etc. had launched their attacks from Herr Ridge - and where the Iron Brigade charged them, chased them for a ways back to Herr Ridge. According to Scott Hartwig, they believe there is a possibility that there are still burial sites on this property, mainly of CSA troops, which hopefully will be recovered in the future, and properly and respectfully interred. Enjoy

Just wanted to add these links, to give you a clearer idea of the land and what it represents

http://npsgnmp.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/the-emmanuel-harman-farm/

http://www.history.com/news/2011/03/31/key-part-of-gettysburg-battlefield-preserved/

Thanks !!!! - Even the moon is within reach nowadays

And as a sidenote - that evening we saw David Kincaid perform for 2 hours - all the Irish Brigade songs - and he informed me that a new CD should be coming out within the year (disclaimer - he's not a relative ).

There was a tour of that property...on Pennsylvania Cable Network.... abt a year ago..Very interesting...

Yep - the anniversary Battlewalk of 2011 - bought the DVD of that one - also Scott & John (and 400 attendees). This one was limited to 40 peopleand 3 hours in length. A nice off-the-beaten path site to visit (at this point).