Gettysburg experts---help/suggestions needed

[tonijustine]

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help me craft a short tour of the Gettysburg battlefield for a family trip this summer.

A little background:

Through some pretty deft (but totally accidental) maneuvering, I managed to get my husband to offer a family vacation if I did not take my almost 2 year old with me on my vacation to Spotysylvania's 150th (I love my son, but I do consider this a win-win). The caveat was that I had to choose a destination for a trip that would appeal to a 2 year old. I suggested the greater Lancaster, PA area because of Dutch Wonderland, Strausburg (railroad), and Hershey. Honestly. That is all I planned on doing. But my husband, perhaps feeling guilty about the promised hour long visit to Chickamauga that got cut to 20 minutes because he was bored out of his gourd, offered to spend a day in Gettysburg.

My husband's interest in the Civil War could be summed up in two words "Gettysburg" and "Glory". He was convinced by a friend from the area to spend 15 minutes on the battlefield on his way back from a baseball trip. That is it. So, his sum total of battlefield experience is 35 minutes (and I have been to over 30 battlefields, so we have a pretty big disparity).

So, I have been given an entire day at Gettysburg, but I want to spend no more than a few hours at the battlefield (not true...I want to spend days there, but for the purpose of familial harmony, I have chosen not to be greedy with my husband's and son's time) before heading to the Land of Little Horses.

So, here is my challenge. How do I craft a battlefield tour that:
-would interest (or at least not bore) my husband
-provide some interest to a two year old, while;
-hitting the high points of strategy and tactics (his expressed interest...no human interest stories for him), -with minimal stops (to limit the in and out of the car seat).

I suggested a Licensed Battlefield Guide and my dear, sweet husband emphatically said "You'll be our guide! You know everything they do anyway!" His confidence is sweet, though misplaced!

What points on the battlefield would you consider absolutely necessary (LRT is going to figure heavily partly because of it's great panoramic view)?

I am very excited about sharing this with my guys. It may be the only time in my life I will be able to get them both on a battlefield with me.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

 

[pamc153PA]

Wow, you have your work cut out for you, in more ways than one!

First, I live about an hour east of Lancaster and go there fairly often. When my son was little (he's 11 now), we went to Dutch Wonderland (good for a little kid, but it'll be full--just a warning), Hershey (the park and the chocolate tour--both nice, but maybe a little too much for a two-year old), and we still go to Strasburg Railroad (check their website, http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/ --if it's a Day Out With Thomas weekend, STAY AWAY! It's an absolute madhouse--they make you park a mile away in a field and you have to ride old school buses to the RR, and THEN you have to fight the crowds. Otherwise, it's not too bad.) for my son's RR interest, but mostly the terrific RR Museum of PA across the street, http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/. We have a few other people on the forum that live near Lancaster, so maybe they can give their input.

From Lancaster, you'll have about an hour and a half drive to Gettysburg. The Lincoln Highway (Route 30) is more scenic, but the PA Turnpike is faster.

When you get to Gettysburg, go to the Visitor's Center first. You may or may not want to do the film and the Cyclorama (I know my son was afraid of the Cyclorama when he was small, and while the film is good, it does more to orient you to the battle and the time period than the actual battlefield). The museum is too much for a trip like that with a two-year old and a marginally interested spouse--save that for some other time. Probably your best bet for a less-than-a-day trip would be either an audio tour (which you can get from a selection of several good ones at the bookstore at the VC) or a licensed battlefield guide. I'd suggest a guide (even rather than yourself, although that was sweet of your husband to instill that honor on you! ) because a guide is experienced at hitting all the highlights, can gear his tour for both you and your husband, and is good at doing all that in a short 2 or 3 hour tour. Maybe if your husband would be interested in the artillery, or the buildings on the battlefield, or the individual soldier or civilian stories, a guide could throw those in as well. Guides run $65 for a 2 hour tour, plus a good tip. That way, the pressure is off of you, and you can enjoy the trip, too, and if you already know a lot about the battle, you will probably still learn and enjoy.

As for a two-year old, there's not a lot battlefield-wise that they can get interested in, unless you count just letting them run on the fields. That's how I got my son started, and he loved it. We checked out the frogs and minnows in the creeks (unless it's a dry summer, then the water will be dried up), and walked on the horse trails (watch the horse poop) and the old electric trolley path through the Rose Woods. The Land of the Little Horses is good for little kids like that, though it was looking tired when we were there last a few years ago (and it's out in the open, mostly, so wear sunblock). Mostly, I think you'll probably want to keep your two-year old happy and not hungry or thirsty while you tour, and that might be the best for everyone.

Hoped that helped! We have a lot of folks here who will probably throw in their 2 cents' worth, too, with other good ideas. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me!

 

[cash]

Stop 1 is the Eternal Peace Light, but on the way make sure that on the way there you pass Cemetery Hill and point out the water tower so your husband can orient himself to Cemetery Hill from wherever he is. Cemetery Hill is the most important part of the battlefield. Then drive out to Oak Hill and the Peace Light Memorial. From Oak Hill you can see all the First Day field. You can wax eloquent about John Buford, the I Corps, the Iron Brigade, John Reynolds, the XI Corps, and Frank Barlow. Stop and give Sallie a biscuit. After that, go to the North Carolina Memorial and point out that the sculptor, Gutzom Borglund, is the same guy who did Mount Rushmore and Stone Mountain. Then go to the Virginia Memorial and talk about Pickett's Charge from the rebel point of view. Take a short walk from the Virginia Memorial to Spangler Farm to show where the Virginians formed and how they were hidden by the terrain when they formed. Stop 3 is LRT. Your son will love the 44th New York Monument (the castle). Then go to Devil's Den. Your son will love it there. From DD drive past the Wheatfield and stop at the Irish Brigade Monument to give the Irish Wolfhound a biscuit. Proceed on to the Peach Orchard and talk about Sickels. Bring in his prewar antics of killing Phillip Barton Key and getting off on the first successful use of the temporary insanity defense. Talk about him losing his leg and later visiting it in DC. Then hit Cemetery Ridge. Go to the top of the Pennsylvania Memorial. Head over to the High Water Mark area and talk about Pickett's Charge from the Union POV. From there, park and walk through the National Cemetery for the cost of the war. Walk across Baltimore Pike to East Cemetery Hill and talk about ECH and Culp's Hill. Then go to Mr. G's for ice cream.

 

[ole]

You're a glutton for punishment, aren't you? A day with a husband who'd rather be somewhere else and a squirmy baby.

Cash has given what I consider to be the least painful tour possible. It is still going to be a long day.

 

[BrrrBRRRR]

I was born in Lancaster and lived there until I was 11. Dutch Wonderland and any of the Amish stuff in that area is a tourist trap. You can see more Amish just driving around. Also don't take their pictures. It is really upsetting to them, but I can't remember why. Everyone else from "Black Bumper" Mennonites on up is fair game for photos. My parents used to take my brother and I from the time we were your son's age to the Strasburg RR every summer though from the other Pam's description, it has really grown. It was just a parking lot next to train tracks and an old depot when I was a kid, but my brother and I loved riding that old steam train. I never went to Hersey as a child. It didn't exist as a theme park then.There is an awesome covered farmer's market downtown Lancaster which we used to go to on school field trips that I am sure still exists. If you go be sure and eat some shoo fly pie, scrapple and soft pretzels. James Buchanan is from there and Wheatland ,his home, can be toured. It isn't very big. I have also heard that there is a Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, but I don't know anything about it. Lancaster County is also home to a lot of puppy mills, since the Amish are heavily involved in this business nationwide which would upset a toddler, if he saw one. I haven't been to Gettysburg since I was 10, so no advice there. My husband isn't into the Civil War either, but he loves hiking and being outdoors plus electronic devices. So, I let him do that while I do what I want to do. Hopefully, my advice is helpful and best of luck on your trip.

 

[pamc153PA]

You're a glutton for punishment, aren't you? A day with a husband who'd rather be somewhere else and a squirmy baby.

Cash has given what I consider to be the least painful tour possible. It is still going to be a long day.

Things worked best with my son when he was little enough so we could strap him in the backpack on my husband's back and just carry him around with us. He crossed Pickett's Charge that way for the first time when he was 11 months old. Of course, he slept--which is my point. Now that he's older, he knows a lot about the battlefield, but would still rather spend more time in the hotel pool with his dad than the battlefield with me!

 

[tonijustine]

Stop 1 is the Eternal Peace Light, but on the way make sure that on the way there you pass Cemetery Hill and point out the water tower so your husband can orient himself to Cemetery Hill from wherever he is. Cemetery Hill is the most important part of the battlefield. Then drive out to Oak Hill and the Peace Light Memorial. From Oak Hill you can see all the First Day field. You can wax eloquent about John Buford, the I Corps, the Iron Brigade, John Reynolds, the XI Corps, and Frank Barlow. Stop and give Sallie a biscuit. After that, go to the North Carolina Memorial and point out that the sculptor, Gutzom Borglund, is the same guy who did Mount Rushmore and Stone Mountain. Then go to the Virginia Memorial and talk about Pickett's Charge from the rebel point of view. Take a short walk from the Virginia Memorial to Spangler Farm to show where the Virginians formed and how they were hidden by the terrain when they formed. Stop 3 is LRT. Your son will love the 44th New York Monument (the castle). Then go to Devil's Den. Your son will love it there. From DD drive past the Wheatfield and stop at the Irish Brigade Monument to give the Irish Wolfhound a biscuit. Proceed on to the Peach Orchard and talk about Sickels. Bring in his prewar antics of killing Phillip Barton Key and getting off on the first successful use of the temporary insanity defense. Talk about him losing his leg and later visiting it in DC. Then hit Cemetery Ridge. Go to the top of the Pennsylvania Memorial. Head over to the High Water Mark area and talk about Pickett's Charge from the Union POV. From there, park and walk through the National Cemetery for the cost of the war. Walk across Baltimore Pike to East Cemetery Hill and talk about ECH and Culp's Hill. Then go to Mr. G's for ice cream.

Thank you for this Cash. This was what I was hoping for....a plan that allowed us to see a lot of the battlefield so that we could discuss much of the maneuvering at a few select spots. I had already pegged LRT and Devil's Den, and since both DH and DS love to be outside, their idea of a good time will be being out of the car, walking short trails or running in fields (the latter DS rather than DH).

Thank you for this.

 

[tonijustine]

You're a glutton for punishment, aren't you? A day with a husband who'd rather be somewhere else and a squirmy baby.

Cash has given what I consider to be the least painful tour possible. It is still going to be a long day.

I have been to nearly 30 battlefields (all but one of them during my marriage to my husband). I have invited my husband to join me on every trip I take, and he had repeatedly declined. He knows how to say, "No thank you, dear," and he has chosen not to say that here.

My son and I just got back from a 10 hour road trip to and from Atlanta which included a stop at Lookout Mountain's Point Park and 6 hours at Stone Mountain. He enjoyed being outside (and rather comically, waving hello to the artillery pieces). His chief entertainment this spring has been being outside.

I appreciate your concern, but if I didn't think I could handle it, I wouldn't have taken DH up on his offer to spend the day there.

I know that, as students of the war, or enthusiasts, buffs, amateur or professional historians of the time, we rail at the idea of doing anything so superficial as a 5 stop three hour tour. It seems sacrilegious to fail to devote entire days, if not weeks or months to the study of this battle.

The more we know about the war, and especially the Battle of Gettysburg, the easier it is to isolate ourselves into groups only admitting those equally "in the know". This insular attitude keeps us from infecting other people with the passion we have for this war and the people involved. It may be fun to discuss the war on places like this forum, and it is certainly educational, but ultimately, if we can't introduce this important part of our history to people who don't know it well, who don't understand it, or who don't find it interesting, what good does any of this knowledge do?

 

[cash]

Thank you for this Cash. This was what I was hoping for....a plan that allowed us to see a lot of the battlefield so that we could discuss much of the maneuvering at a few select spots. I had already pegged LRT and Devil's Den, and since both DH and DS love to be outside, their idea of a good time will be being out of the car, walking short trails or running in fields (the latter DS rather than DH).

Thank you for this.

You're welcome. If you want to limit stops even more, you can easily cut out the NC Memorial, though I think there's something to be said for admiring good art. Also, you can discuss the Peach Orchard and Wheatfield from LRT, though I think your son would like feeding a dog biscuit to the Irish Wolfhound on the Irish Brigade Monument.

Last year, Brooks Simpson posed a challenge on his blog of a 3-hour Gettysburg tour limited to no more than six stops:

http://cwcrossroads.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/gettysburg-in-six-stops/

 

[rjustice21]

I currently live in Lancaster. There is a lot to do here. Most of which was mentioned above.

At Gettysburg. Keep it simple. Eternal Peace Light memorial, LRT, Devil's Den, the Angle are must visits, IMO. Good luck.

 

[tonijustine]

You're welcome. If you want to limit stops even more, you can easily cut out the NC Memorial, though I think there's something to be said for admiring good art. Also, you can discuss the Peach Orchard and Wheatfield from LRT, though I think your son would like feeding a dog biscuit to the Irish Wolfhound on the Irish Brigade Monument.

Last year, Brooks Simpson posed a challenge on his blog of a 3-hour Gettysburg tour limited to no more than six stops:

http://cwcrossroads.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/gettysburg-in-six-stops/

This is perfect! Exactly what I was looking for and, with all of the other suggestions, I have the start of a great outline.

And you are right...my son, who LOVES dogs, will quite enjoy seeing the Irish Wolfhound.

 

[101combatvet]

What kind of money do you have budgeted for the tour?

 

[tonijustine]

What kind of money do you have budgeted for the tour?

At this time, we have nothing budgeted but the museum admission, but since I think the movie/cyclorama may not be right for my son, I think we will forgo that, so we have about $25 we could use elsewhere.

 

[101combatvet]

At this time, we have nothing budgeted but the museum admission, but since I think the movie/cyclorama may not be right for my son, I think we will forgo that, so we have about $25 we could use elsewhere.

Here is a thought.... when I was at Vicksburg I did a driving tour that was broadcasted over the radio. I don't think this is available at Gettysburg, but you might be able to find a driving tour of Gettysburg on CD. If you get it before your trip you can review it and pick out the sites that you and your family will enjoy most. Read a little about the events that you select with resources on line. I would also get a feel for what your husband's likes are. My wife hates everything military [except me] so a little bribery goes a long way... I normally take her to one of the finer restaurants in town and she is transformed from wicked to a happy camper.

 

[reading48]

Also near the Peace Monument (Oak Hill) you have a short observation tower to view the area, about 30-40 yds down the road you have the 11th Penna. Vol. monument with Sallie the Regimental Dog mascot portrayed on the reverse side you might see some doggy treats left for her...Further down from the Va. Monument you have Longstreet's monument on Confederate Ave. Then the tall observation tower on the Conf. Ave..leads you to the Round Tops Devils Den Triangular field and Wheat-field...
Just a few more tidbits, Also the small stone bridge over the creek before Big R/T on Conf. Ave, look close and you might just find dinosaur footprints in the stone slabs...

 

[unicornforge]

I suggest buying or renting a CD that you pop into your car's player and it takes you on a tour starting at the Eternal Light monument where it all started then through town, down Confederate Ave, then up to the Round Tops and down Culp's Hill. The recordings match numbered stops along the way and explains what you are seeing at each stop. You can then see pretty much the main battle field areas, and adjust the time spent on your tour according to your needs.