Visiting Gettysburg during Labor Day week

JimW

Private
Joined
Jun 9, 2020
Salutations!

My wife and I will be visiting Gettysburg during Labor Day week; and wondered if there were any recommendations for that specific time period?

Are there things in the town itself that you would recommend or not advise?

We imagine that the usual "Living History" folks aren't here on Saturdays and Sundays now because of the Covid, and while that's a shame we have seem a fair amount of these types of things.

We have slotted an "auto tour" guide; and have our tickets for the Cyclorama and museum.

Thank you in advance for any input.
 
If it's your first time...The auto tour is fine...It will get you to be more interested and maybe do some research on points of your interest.If you like the tour you will be hooked :smile: .....Sunset on Little Round Top is a beautiful site to capture on camera.
If you have the time explore Devils Den and LRT..
Just a little info...Hope you enjoy your visit...
 
There is plenty to see at Gettysburg. So much depends on your interest. The Horse Solder Shop could be added to your schedule, it is like a museum where you can buy the items. If you like the medical side of the Civil War you should visit the old Lutheran Theological Seminary which is now the Seminary Ridge Museum My wife and I are thinking of visiting in late September, we have been there 5 or 6 times.
 
Reading48,

We have a few days, and exploring some of the sights even though it will be ahead of the "Auto Tour" is on our agenda. We are reading up more and more; and trying to have a much better timeline of events in our head before we get there. I plan on lots of photos; My gal jokes that she is my "pack mule" for a lot of my DSLR gear. :cool:

Major Bill,

There is already a trip to THS well planned; and my gal has graciously allowed me to "lay away" my souvenier already for pick up when we visit. That is a dangerous store to visit in person I'm betting.
 
I would also recommend the Seminary Ridge Museum as Major Bill already has . Nice to see that you use DSLRs . So many people just use other devices now . Once you start looking at monuments and landscapes you will be taking hundreds of images . I had planned a return trip this Fall , but it looks like next Spring now . I've been there 20 times and never grow tired of it .
 
Seems like your are well prepared and have done your homework... If you can find the brickyard there is a nice Mural on Coster Ave Very :cool: ..Been going to the Burg since 95.. since we have retired we get there 3-4 times every year..Remembrance Day is the Best...But you need to secure lodging about a year in advance...Watch out you might get bit by the Bug....Then your hooked...
 
Major,Kurt G,

Tickets secured for the Seminary Ridge Museum and Cupola; great suggestion!
 
I've lost count how many times I have been there. Most recently, I was there a week ago.

You mentioned attractions "in town" itself. I would recommend the Shriver House and Jenny Wade House. I would recommend eating at the Dobbin House Tavern and Farnsworth House Inn. You will need reservations for dining there.
 
Also down town near the square are 2 non civil war gift shops. Lark and Gallery 30. I'm just saying that I have found that DSLR equipment toting spouses seem much more tolerant to a trip down over Culps Hill to find Wauds sharpshooter rock....if there is a possibility of jewelry somewhere in the trip. But hey....that's just me.

I would post a picture here just to try to keep your interest going in the right direction for your upcoming trip. But I think that is frowned upon as pics go in another place. I visited Sunday and it was just like you imagined, less or no Living History, not much crowd, you are not allowed in any of the observation towers. I did see 2 LBG's on the field. Awkward because they won't get in your car like normal...
You can't even walk in MickyD's...drive thru only.
Note that College is back in session already and the North end of town was more congested because of the College.

But rest assured your pics will be awesome. Not much crowd.

I'll post my **** cell pics over in 'contemporary' just to show that at almost any stop....photos opportunities abound.

Multiple flocks of Canadian Geese were in the corn stubble in the morning on the north of the Day 1 field near Barlows position. In front of Wheeler and Digers batteries. A DSLR would have gotten some nice shots.

I wish you the best on your trip....
 
Rothermel is right the Licensed Battlefield Guides are not allowed to drive you around the field in your car. In the interest of full disclosure, the National Park Service has forbidden to use of even hands free phones between stops. Nevertheless, we are still giving effective tours. You would follow the guide in your own car, and make several stops where the guide will explain what happened at that location and also answer your questions. The cost for a 3 hour tour booked directly with the guide association is $94.50 for up to 6 persons. I recommend that you call ahead to 717-337-1709. You will hit a voice mail. Leave your name, phone number and the date and time that you want a tour. You will get a call back, usually by the next evening, from the guide who is assigned to your tour. The guide will work with you as to where and when to meet, and also want to know what special interests you may have if any. If you tell the guide where you grew up, he or she can show you areas where men from your home county fought (assuming there were men here from your county). As you can tell by my moniker, I am one of the LBG's, so yes I am a little prejudice. Having said that, the guides, who have been licensed through a rigorous testing process, do a rather good job. Check our reviews on the internet.

I would second the motion that you see the museum in the Lutheran Seminary building, and also the Shriver House on Baltimore Street. The latter does a nice job of giving the view from the civilian side. Do not miss the Cyclorama painting at the Visitor's Center. The Cyclorama is a 360 painting depicting the high water mark of Pickett's Charge. It was created in the 19th Century, and some Civil War veterans who viewed it are reported to have said that it was an authentic depiction of Civil War combat. The Visitor's Center has been closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays of late. Check the website for the Gettysburg Foundation to see if that is still the schedule and plan accordingly.

You and your wife may like to see the Women's Memorial in the Evergreen Cemetery. It is just to the left after you pass through the cemetery's arched, brick entrance. It is a statue of Elizabeth Thorn. She was the wife of the cemetery's grounds keeper, who was off to war. She will personally bury about 100 Union soldiers in the Evergreen Cemetery before the National Cemetery was organized, and she was 6 months pregnant doing so in the summer heat.
 
Rothermal, Thanks for the info; maybe she will get to pick out a souvenir of her own... :smile:

GG#154, We had already booked a 6 hour "auto tour" with a LBG; so hopefully that will be good! Since you are an LBG, I hope you won't mind if I send you a PM?
 
I will also be in Gettysburg that week....have family coming in from the west coast who want to visit there as well as Harpers Ferry.
 
I will also be in Gettysburg that week....have family coming in from the west coast who want to visit there as well as Harpers Ferry.
If you have west coast visitors, they may be interested to see the monument for the 71st PA Infantry at the Angle. The monument notes the regiment's nickname, "California Regiment". The story of why is engraved in the side of the monument. If they are from the San Francisco area, they may be interested in seeing General Geary's statue on Culp's Hill. Geary Avenue in San Francisco is named for him, as he was the first mayor of the city after California was acquired from Mexico. They may also be interested to learn that while Abner Doubleday did not invent baseball, he did help to engineer the San Francisco cable car system.
 
there might be some living history going on by couple of guys you may never know. i know a buddy of mine was talking about just going there for the weekend in our full kit uniforms and walk the town.
 
I have been four times in five years. The first time you go you want to get the 35,000 foot view. Unfortunately many of the great observation towers that provide a great view might be closed. If it's open you will want to go to the top of the Pennsylvania Monument.

Most first time visitors fail to get into the Culps Hill and Cemetary Hill parts of the park. Don't miss it

I recommend the Gettysburg Map book by Stackpole Books.It will help a great deal
It's great to start early in the morning with a trip to Little Round Top. This will give you a great view of the entire Southand south centeral end of the field. Spend some time observing various positions. Then go to Devils Den. As far as the first day field in the north you might want to get a good look at Barlows Knoll ---it gives you a great view of Oak Hill.
For the Pickets Charge area everyone goes to the Angle. I suggest you follow the road north and find the small hill at Ziglers Grove. Standing there and looking south you can get a great view of the sweep of the field.
It's really worth getting over to the Confederate side on Confederate Avenue. Park at the North Carolina Monument. If you can take the walk from the monument at least up to Emmitsburg road you will be able to feel what it was like to make the charge. If you go further all the way to the Union Line it will be about 45 minute round trip walk.
Finally, getting out of the car to visit both Lee and Mead's head quarters is a real treat.
Food and eating places in Gettysburg are average---meaning a 6 or 7 on a 10 point scale---your basic tourist menu. Eat, rest and get out.

Enjoy the trip. It is a sacred place.
 
Time is getting closer; really looking forward to the trip.
Mgunn and drjekyll76; if inclined PM me with a cell # and perhaps we can text a meetup there?
 
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