on location: northeast O randy mink This small town with a big name in the history books prepares for the Civil War sesquicentennial

“What I personally love the most is taking a step back, finding my favorite place on the battlefield and just setting back on a rock and taking in the beauty of the battlefield. Even though so much death and destruction took place here, there is such a peace that resonates at Gettysburg.”

— A frequent traveler to Gettysburg

A statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee crowns the Virginia Memorial.

All Photos Courtesy of Gettysburg CVB

LeisureGroupTravel.com April 2011 15 on location: northeast O

As the nation prepares to kick off a five-year commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, this is a perfect time for Americans to reflect on the epic conflict that pitted state against state, friend against friend. Gettysburg, where the war’s greatest battle raged, will take center stage in that observance. A visit to the battlefield and other sites brings home the tragedies endured from 1861-1865 and puts into focus the A rousing re-enactment of the takes place every July. monumental struggle between North and South. Had it not been for the friendly hotels and restaurants. Organ- New Birth of Freedom,” a 22-minute heroic feats on this Southern Pennsyl- izers also can arrange for living history film narrated by Morgan Freeman that vania farm land the first three days of interpreters, like Gen. Ulysses S. and immerses viewers in the sights, sounds July in 1863, America would be a dif- Mrs. Grant, to come on the coach or and emotions of the battle and its after- ferent country. A Union victory that give a presentation. math. Following the film, guests take an marked the beginning of the end for Gettysburg National Military Park escalator to the Gettysburg Cyclorama, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Museum and Visitor Center, adjacent a colossal circular oil painting that gives Army, the Battle of Gettysburg is re- to the battlefield, is the focal point of them the illusion of standing in the garded as the turning point of the Civil tourism and obvious place to start. middle of Pickett’s Charge, a battle War. The largest battle ever fought on Opened in April of 2008, the state-of- tableau complete with marching troops, American soil saw more than 51,000 the-art facility offers 21st century men fighting with bayonets, cannon soldiers killed, wounded or captured. amenities for the nearly two million smoke, and ground littered with can- Geared for group travel, the town of who visit Gettysburg National Military teens, shoes, broken wheels, and dead 8,100 annually welcomes three million Park every year. soldiers and horses. A sound-and-light tourists and hosts 15,000 motorcoaches. In addition to 12 exhibit galleries show with narration enhances the 360- Travel planners can choose from a wide filled with videos and interactive sta- degree experience. range of tours, museums, and group- tions, the Visitor Center presents “A At 377 feet by 42 feet, the Gettys- burg Cyclorama, created by French artists in 1883-1884 and fresh from a five-year, $12-million restoration com- Unlimited Inspiration pleted in 2008, is the largest painting in the U.S. The three-dimensional Commemorate the diorama and a sky that disappears into Civil War 150th with us an overhead canopy—features that had been missing for more than 40 years— PLAN BATTLEFIELD TOURS have been recreated. Licensed battlefield guides at the DON’T MISS THE Visitor Center can board a group’s mo- torcoach for a two-hour tour. The cen- CYCLORAMA, FILM & MUSEUM EXPERIENCE. ter has a dedicated group entrance and Visit the Eisenhower National Historic Site. | Visit the David Wills House in Downtown Gettysburg.g. classroom space. A bus drivers lounge is Shop in the Museum Bookstore. | Enjoy Civil War-era food in the Refreshment Saloon. Join the Friends of Gettysburg–help us preserve this hallowed ground. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE See Randy Mink’s article on GETTYSBURGG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK MUSEUM AND VISITOR CENTER the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pa., a 45-minute drive from 1195 Baltimore Pike | Gettysburg, PA 17325 | Tickets: 877-874-2478 Gettysburg. Log on to http://leisuregroup- [email protected] | www.gettysburgfoundation.org travel.com/?p=22794.

16 April 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com located in the coach parking lot. coln put the finishing touches on the With more than 1,300 monuments speech. Restored to its 1863 appearance, and memorials, Gettysburg National the house (privately owned for decades) Military Park boasts one of the world’s showcases the bedroom where Lincoln largest collections of outdoor sculptures. slept on the night before the Gettysburg The towering Pennsylvania Monument Address and Wills’ office. Exhibits in- is the largest and most complex. terpret the battle’s aftermath and Wills’ One memorial recalls the 272 words efforts to set aside battlefield land for a spoken by President Lincoln at the ded- cemetery for the Union dead. The home ication of the Soldiers’ National Ceme- was the center of the immense clean-up tery four months after the battle. His process after the July 1-3 battle and was eloquent two-minute speech on Nov. used to care for the wounded. 19, 1863, is today known as the Gettys- Downtown abounds with other mu- burg Address (“that this nation, under seums and historic houses, not to men- God, shall have a new birth of freedom; tion Civil War-themed shops and and that this government of the people, restaurants. Steps from the David Wills by the people, for the people shall not House are the Cannon Ball Old Tyme

Groups can hire a guide for a two-hour tour of the . perish from the earth.”) This cemetery Malt Shop and McClellan’s Tavern, a in Gettysburg National Military Park, a restaurant in the historic Gettysburg final resting place for veterans through Hotel. Named after Union Gen. the Vietnam War, was officially closed George McClellan, the tavern serves in 1972, but plots remain for depend- the Confederate Burger, Custer’s Melt ents of those interred. and other sandwiches named for Civil For insight into Lincoln’s immortal War generals. The Tavern in back of the address, tour the David Wills House, a Farnsworth House Inn remembers the National Park Service-owned museum war with props and costumes from the in downtown Gettysburg. Opened in Hollywood movie Gettysburg and runs 2009, the attorney’s home is where Lin- it continuously on the TV. Built in 1810, the B&B inn bears 100 bullet Obtain Pennsylvania holes from the battle. Group dinner visitor guides buffets are available. and itineraries – and contact group- Wait staff in colonial garb and can- friendly suppliers directly – at dlelit rooms lend charm to the 1776 leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info Dobbin House Tavern, the oldest build-

LeisureGroupTravel.com on location: northeast O Lincoln throw pillows, stovepipe hats, and Blue and Gray teddy bears. ing in Gettysburg. Many of the rooms, The American Civil War Wax Mu- including the casual Springhouse Tav- seum presents the North vs. South ri- ern in the basement, have fireplaces. The valry through life-size dioramas. Scenes same atmosphere pervades the attached spotlight events like the Lincoln-Dou- banquet room where large groups (up to glas Debates, Lincoln assassination and 150) enjoy buffet meals. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court- Gettysburg antique shops deal in house. Visitors also learn about the Un- Civil War bullets, cannon balls, weapons, derground Railroad, black troops in the uniform buttons and other memorabilia, 54th Massachusetts Infantry and Clara while gift shops sell everything from toy Barton, the “Angel of the Battlefields,” guns and swords to soldier caps, flags, whose efforts led to the founding of the American Red Cross. A visit con- cludes in the Battle Room, where flashing lights, sound effects and nar- The superb museum at Gettysburg GETTYSBURG GROUP ration enhance a film and large dio- National Military Park is a must. RESERVATIONS rama. After the battle, an animatronic rises from the floor that offer glimpses into the past through “One Call Does It All!” to deliver the and the spirits that are said to linger here. a choir sings the “Battle Hymn of the Many TV documentaries have featured Republic.” Weekly living history en- Gettysburg, reputed to be one of the campments take place from April most haunted towns in the world. through October. The town’s Civil War 150th anniver- Several Gettysburg sites provide sary celebration will include special ob- townspeople’s perspectives on the war. servances, expanded programs and tours, The House Museum, and large battle re-enactments. The an- for example, tells the story of a 20- nual July 1-3 re-enactment, an ABA Top year-old woman hit by a stray bullet, 100 Event this year, presents continuous the only civilian killed during the bat- living history each day, including mili- tle. Other attractions include Shriver tary camps, medical demonstrations, House Museum, Gettysburg Dio- ladies fashions, a period worship service rama, Lincoln Train Station Museum, and live Civil War music. Soldiers National Museum, and Hall One highlight of the five-year com- A Premier Receptive Tour Operator of Presidents & First Ladies. memoration will be the 2013 opening with customized services for groups of all ages, sizes and interest. For visitors, “night life” in Gettys- of the Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Call (800) 447-8788 burg often means a ghost tour. Several Seminary’s Schmucker Hall, a building www.GettysburgGroupReservations.com companies offer candlelight walks that served as a Union lookout on July 1 and a field hospital. The new museum will tell the story of the battle’s first day THE GOOD LIFE and faith and medicine in the Civil War. This year and the next few will be EXPERIENCE PERFECT SLEEP, LOUNGE AND RELAX, ENJOY the ideal time to bring your troops to CULINARY EXPERTISE, AND A Gettysburg, hallowed ground that not 5 STAR LOCATION only saw unimaginable horrors but acts of compassion and words of hope for - Sleep Number Beds and LCD Flat Screen TVs - Fantastic Tavern Dining & Casual Coffee Bar healing a divided nation. - Located in the Heart of Rittenhouse Square For information on group travel, con- tact Jenny McConnell, Gettysburg CVB, 800-337-5015, [email protected]; 1701 Locust Street | Philadelphia PA 19103 gettysburggrouptours.travel. LGT radisson.com/philadelphiapa | 215 735 6000

18 April 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com