Doing Gettysburg Up Right

[FZ11]

Agree totally. I actually use this book the most when I am on the battlefield. The maps helps me visualize the action versus trying to read a summary of the action. I always write down my planned stops and I reference the page number of the map book corresponding with each stop. You don't want to waste time by fumbling through the book trying to find the appropriate map for each stop.

Your tough call is going to be the museum's. They are very well done and should be seen. But they do take time to see. For many, they go there when the weather doesn't cooperate. The battlefield is large and there is a lifetime worth of things to see there.

I use recipe cards for my field notes. I use these notes as "cheat sheets" writing down action notes with casualty statistics as well as page numbers to guide books in the upper right corner. I use a paper punch to create a hole. Then I thread the cards on a carabiner in order of my planned stops. It is a simple method for keeping track of the trip. I have a box full of these cards that I can use for just about any itinerary.

On the subject of books, Jack Kunkel's A Gettysburg Photo Tour book is a great tool for finding historic photo locations. He uses GPS coordinates to help you find the photo spot. It also has the historic photos so you can see the historic photo.
With Greg's posts on then/now photography, I now add one of these photo stops on each of my Gettysburg trips.

Good point Wally. Don't waste any time at the Museum. The battlefield is Huge and you have a guide.

 

[socar2say]

I'm probably violating some forum rule by making this post but here goes. I'll apologize later.

I'm heading to the east coast in the fall - September/October - and have negotiated two days in Gettysburg with my wife. Sad to say this is my first trip to that hallowed ground and I'm looking to the members for suggestions on how to make the most of my time there.

It'll be two full days, probably a Thursday and Friday. We'll be staying in the areas somewhere close. Other than that I'm open for advice and suggestions.

The only way to do it right is to reserve the whole day either by yourself or with someone you know can hold their tongue for long periods of time and just walk around and listen. find a rock, find a tree, an empty spot on the ground, a monument, and just sit in silence and let the energy of the place permeate you. that's the best way to enjoy Gettysburg. having grown upnear there I can honestly say you won't regret spending your day like that...

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I can only add, IF you even think you want a Battlefield Guide - book one before you get there. My niece and I were at Antietam in May - not a busy weekend at all - I don't think there were 30 of us on the whole battlefield - seriously. We got the visitor center around 10ish and a huge family group was there before us with several cars and booked all the guides available. They tried calling a couple of Guides on call and they were either spoken for later in the day or not available.

 

[infomanpa]

The other resources I use on all of my trips is Gottfried's Maps of Gettysburg. It has really helped me to figure out what was going on during different parts of the battle. There are other, probably better map sources out there, but Gottfried's book is easy to carry around and refer to while on the battlefield.

Agree totally. I actually use this book the most when I am on the battlefield. The maps helps me visualize the action versus trying to read a summary of the action. I always write down my planned stops and I reference the page number of the map book corresponding with each stop. You don't want to waste time by fumbling through the book trying to find the appropriate map for each stop.

I also use Gottfried maps. In order to really understand them, though, I superimposed them on to modern satellite images. It really makes a difference with visualization. Another more detailed, accurate, but larger map set is Phil Laino's map book. It's wire bound, so it's easy to keep open the page that you want.

 

[Larryh86GT]

This is the perfect timely thread for me. I was considering starting one asking exactly the
same question on the best way to tour Gettysburg and I have this on my bucket list to hopefully
visit this coming summer. Some great informative help has been given here. A big thanks for sure.

And my copy of A Field Guide to Gettysburg has been purchased today.

 

[IrishBrigade]

I visited for the first time last October and had a great time. I've a few ideas and tips on my trip report although some are aimed at the foreign visitor it may be useful for you to have a look here. https://civilwartalk.com/threads/gettysburg-trip-report-october-2017.139585/

Factor at least half a day for the museum and cyclorama. Pick up a self guided map which is free, use google maps to help you out with directions etc. Book a battlefield guide at the visitor centre, they fill up fast though so it helps to be flexible with your times. You can also buy a cd to accompany the self guided tour which I think is 30 dollars at the visitor centre, I didn't but a lot of people seemed to use them.

My main advice is have plenty of time and don't rush it, the battlefield is huge and there's lots to see, read, photos to take and don't forget to talk to people along the way. There are free ranger tours every day at various points of interest.

Don't forget the town itself, this is part of the battlefield and there's lots of cool places(non-battle related to go and see). The best observation tower is at the Southern end of the Confederate line where you get great views from Oak Hill to the Round tops.

 

[Larryh86GT]

I have made hotel reservations for 3 nights (2 full days) early in June and am really looking
forward to my first visit to the battlefield.

 

[Michael W.]

Oh Man. Only two days. As a first timer, I agree with the others, you will need to spend both days on the battlefield. Museums take up too much time. That being said, I would suggest one museum to stop at, the Seminary Ridge Museum (Lutheran Theological Seminary). Pay the extra fee and go stand up in the Cupola where Buford stood watching the battle on Day 1. That alone is worth the trip. There are many historic original buildings tied in with the battle you should see, but that should wait until a second visit.

Now, the others are suggesting what to see, I want to tell you WHERE TO EAT. In the 2 days you are there, you MUST stop and eat at the DOBBIN HOUSE INN and TAVERN, located at 89 Steinwehr Ave., right across from the National Cemetery. It is a stone building, the oldest surviving building in Gettysburg, built in 1776. It has been restored to its colonial appearance, and is now 2 restaurants, a tavern in the cellar, and fine dining upstairs. Eat at least once in the tavern. It is an amazing experience.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Thanks for the heads up and advice. We are staying on Steinwehr Ave so that will be an easy dinner for us.
Weren't the Union cannons lined up near there day 3 ?

 

[E_just_E]

Thanks for the heads up and advice. We are staying on Steinwehr Ave so that will be an easy dinner for us.
Weren't the Union cannons lined up near there day 3 ?

Not on Steinwehr. Depending on where you are staying, you will be in the zone of skirmishers.

The North-most Union cannons were by the Cemetery, on Baltimore Ave on the East Cemetery Hill, by the Hancock and Howard equestrian monuments.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Not on Steinwehr. Depending on where you are staying, you will be in the zone of skirmishers.

The North-most Union cannons were by the Cemetery, on Baltimore Ave on the East Cemetery Hill, by the Hancock and Howard equestrian monuments.

We will be staying right in the point where Steinwehr and Taneytown Rd meet.

 

[infomanpa]

We will be staying right in the point where Steinwehr and Taneytown Rd meet.

Then you will be across the street from the position of the 55th Ohio. You can see their monument from your hotel.

 

[E_just_E]

We will be staying right in the point where Steinwehr and Taneytown Rd meet.

Taneytown Rd is a different story. There was Union Artillery in the National Cemetery there, close to where you are staying.