| Located in Adams County,
Pennsylvania |
|
 The
small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the site of the largest battle
ever waged during the American Civil War. Fought in the first three days
of July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg resulted in a hallmark victory for
the Union "Army of the Potomac" and successfully ended the second
invasion of the North by General Robert E. Lee's "Army of Northern
Virginia". Historians have referred to the battle as a major turning
point in the war, the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy." It
was also the bloodiest single battle of the war, resulting in over 51,000
soldiers killed, wounded, captured or missing.
Website address: www.nps.gov/gett
Location/address: 97
Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Directions:
By Automobile: Gettysburg National Military Park is
located in Adams County, Pennsylvania. From North or South, follow US 15 to Gettysburg
and watch for signs to direct you to the National Park Service Visitor Center.
The visitor center is located between Taneytown Road (State Rt. 134) and Steinwehr
Avenue (Bus. Rt. 15). From East or West, drive into Gettysburg on US Rt. 30,
turn South on Baltimore Street (Rt. 97), and follow signs to Steinwehr Avenue
(Bus. 15).
By Air: Harrisburg International Airport at Middletown, Pennsylvania,
is the closest air terminal, approximately 35 miles north of Gettysburg. The
second closest is Baltimore-Washington International near Baltimore, Maryland.
Gettysburg has a small airfield on Route 30 west of Gettysburg that will accommodate
private aircraft.
Education Contact at Site: Barbara
J. Sanders
Phone: (717) 334-1124 ext. 420 Email
Address:
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Theme Addressed at Site: Land of Conflict,
Reunification, and Rebuilding
Education
Programs and Corresponding SOL 
Programs We Can Do at Our Site:
There are 8 different curriculum-based programs available by a lottery
process that takes place in September. To receive the August school
mailing, please send a request on your school letterhead to attention of
Education Specialist, GNMP, 87 Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
National and PA State Curriculum Standards are listed and described within
the pre-visit program booklets.
Care of the Wounded
Grades 5-12
To show the damaging effects of the Civil War upon soldiers and civilian life,
as seen through the eyes of an army doctor. To present the function and operation
of the Union Army Medical Department through role-playing activities. Students
will participate in activities that follow the path of a soldier from camp to
campaign to battle to first aid to transport to field hospital and finally to
recovery. Activities include walking, carrying, and some lifting and climbing.
Class size: 30 max./10 min. length: 2 hours
Civil War Soldier
Grades: 2 to 6
To present the motives for joining the Union Army, and the hard,
unpleasant, dangerous and often boring life of a soldier. Note: This program
is NOT recommended for students who have participated in the Traveling Trunk
program, as the objectives are very similar.
Students will participate in activities and discussions that present
the training, equipment, life and feelings of the volunteer soldiers. This
entails walking, running, standing and sitting.
Class size: 35 max./10 min. length: 2 hours
Impact of War: The Slyder Family Farm
Grades: 4 to 8
To focus on a farm family that lived in Gettysburg at the time
of the battle and the impact the war had on both civilians and soldiers.
To introduce 19th century farming practices, and the townspeople of Gettysburg
before, during and after the great battle.
Students will hike approximately 1/4 mile down a trail on the western
slope of Big Round Top to the Slyder farm, and then rotate through farming
chore stations. Several students will roleplay the Slyder family and others
will portray the soldiers they came into conflict with on July 2, 1863.
Activities include hiking, lifting, and carrying fence posts.
Class size: 30 max./15 min. length: 2 hours
Pickett's Charge
Grades: 4 to 12. SOLs VUS.7a
To examine the experiences and emotions of a Confederate Civil
War soldier in battle, as written by actual participants in Pickett's
Charge. Students will walk in formation across the field of Pickett's
Charge, about one mile, role-playing individual soldiers. Group unity and
participation are stressed throughout the activities. The program
makes use of firsthand accounts of the action, including the soldiers’ feelings
and reactions during this sobering event.
Class size: 35 max./10 min. length: 2 hours
Unfinished Work: Creation & Dedication of Soldiers’ National
Cemetery
Grades: 8 to 12. SOLs VUS.7a, VUS.7b
To convey the significance and relevance of the Gettysburg Address
and Soldiers’ National Cemetery. To present the battle of Gettysburg
from the perspective of its aftermath, destruction and re-building.
Students will participate in small group activities that simulate
the process of soldier identification following the battle. They
will then read the letters of soldiers buried in the cemetery, graveside,
and apply them to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Class size: 35 max./10 min. length: 2 hours
New Fall Footsteps Programs
Courage & the 9th Massachusetts Battery
Follow in the path of this courageous
artillery unit as they work to buy time near the Trostle farm while the
infantry plugs the gaps along Cemetery Ridge.
Determination & the 15th Alabama Infantry
Climb Big Round Top and attack
Little Round Top after a forced march, and without any water! This program
illustrates the strength, stamina and determination of these Confederate
infantrymen.
Leadership & the 6th Wisconsin Infantry
What traits make an effective
leader? Lt. Colonel Rufus Dawes’ example
during the fighting on July 1st will answer the question.
Other Site Features of Interest to Students and Teachers
Licensed Battlefield Guides can be reserved for two hour tours of the battlefield
by calling toll-free 1-877-438-8929.
Pre-Visit Materials Available
Upon participation and reservation in September program lottery.
Program fees and miscellaneous
Maximum Number of Students:See
above for student programs; see website for Licensed Battlefield
Guide rates per number of participants. Minimum: see above
Admission/Program Fee:> No
entrance fee to park; no fee for museum exhibits; no fee for student
education programs; see website for Licensed Guide fee schedule.
Handicap Accessibility: See
website
Bus/Vehicle Accessibility: See
website
Season of Operation: The
park is open year round. Student Education programs are offered
for approximately 6 weeks in the fall and 9 weeks in the spring, Monday
through Friday, 4 programs a day BY RESERVATION ONLY.
Hours
of Operation: See
above for student education programs; see website for changing seasonal
park and building hours.
Picnic facilities/Nearest restaurant
options: See website and Auto Tour map
Restroom accessibility:
Chaperone Requirements ( No. chaperones/no.
of students): For student education programs, we strongly
recommend no more than 1 chaperone for every 10 students.
educationpage |
