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Princeton Gettysburg WALKING GETTYSBURG with James M. McPherson S E P T E M B E R 1 0 - 1 3 , 2 0 2 0 W A L K T H R O U G H T I M E Dear Princetonian, The echoes of the American Civil War, nearly 160 years ago, and a nation ripped asunder by ideology and socio-political forces, reverberate through to the present. We are pleased to invite you to explore Gettysburg, site of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle, alongside legendary Princeton historian James M. McPherson—perhaps the most sought-after Princeton alumni experience. While some visitors to the battlefields seek the grounds their ancestors fought on, others come to see where America was tested and became the country it is today. Whether your intellectual curiosity is sparked by enlightening conversations with historians, or your love of the outdoors is stoked by exploring the pristinely preserved rural battlefields, you will find something to pique your interest on this exceptional educational travel program for all ages. Walking Gettysburg is sure to sell out quickly! Reserve your space through the online registration link: https://insiderexpeditions.com/princetongettysburg2020 or call the Princeton Journeys team at 609-258-8686. With kind regards, Bridget St. Clair Executive Manager A B O U T T H E S T U D Y L E A D E R J a m e s M . M c P h e r s o n h 5 7 h 6 4 h 6 9 h 7 0 h 7 2 H 1 4 J a m e s M . M c P h e r s o n i s w i d e l y a c k n o w l e d g e d a s A m e r i c a ' s p r e - e m i n e n t C i v i l W a r h i s t o r i a n . L i s t i n g h i s m a n y a w a r d s a n d h o n o r s a l o n e w o u l d t a k e f a r m o r e t h a n t h e 2 7 2 w o r d s o f t h e G e t t y s b u r g A d d r e s s . A m o n g m a n y o t h e r t h i n g s , J i m h a s b e e n t h e p r e s i d e n t o f t h e A m e r i c a n H i s t o r i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n , h e h a s r e c e i v e d t h e P r i t z k e r P r i z e f o r L i f e t i m e A c h i e v e m e n t i n M i l i t a r y W r i t i n g , h e h a s b e e n a w a r d e d h o n o r a r y d e g r e e s f r o m e l e v e n c o l l e g e s o r u n i v e r s i t i e s ( i n c l u d i n g P r i n c e t o n ) , a n d h e h a s w r i t t e n m o r e t h a n t w e n t y b o o k s , w i n n i n g a n u m b e r o f p r i z e s , i n c l u d i n g t h e P u l i t z e r P r i z e f o r B a t t l e C r y o f F r e e d o m . S i n c e 1 9 8 4 , A l u m n i h a v e c h e r i s h e d C i v i l W a r b a t t l e f i e l d t r i p s w i t h P r o f e s s o r M c P h e r s o n , w h i c h f o r m a n y h a v e b e c o m e t h e h i g h p o i n t s o f t h e i r P r i n c e t o n e d u c a t i o n . I n 2 0 1 8 , J i m a n d h i s w i f e P a t w e r e p r e s e n t e d t h e A w a r d f o r S e r v i c e t o P r i n c e t o n a n d t h e f o l l o w i n g w o r d s w e r e u s e d t o d e s c r i b e J i m ’ s l e g a c y a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y : J i m M c P h e r s o n i s a r o c k s t a r – a s w i l l a t t e s t a n y n u m b e r o f t h e t h o u s a n d s o f P r i n c e t o n s t u d e n t s , p a r e n t s , a n d a l u m n i w h o h a v e h o p p e d a b u s a n d v i s i t e d G e t t y s b u r g o r F r e d e r i c k s b u r g o r a n y o t h e r C i v i l W a r s i t e w i t h h i m o v e r t h e p a s t 4 0 y e a r s . I T I N E R A R Y SEPTEMBER 10, 2020—GREETINGS IN GETTYSBURG Join fellow Princetonians at our home for the weekend, the Gettysburg Hotel, for a Welcome Reception and Dinner with opening remarks by Professor James McPherson. Meals: Welcome Reception and Dinner Overnight: Gettysburg Hotel SEPTEMBER 11, 2020—SECOND INVASION NORTH Take a hearty breakfast at the hotel, as we prepare to focus our day on the Battle of Gettysburg, the turning point of the war which tipped the scales in favor of the Union. Head out into the Gettysburg National Military Park and visit the key battle sites, including McPherson's Ridge, Oak Hill, Barlow's Knoll, the Peace Orchard, Devil's Den, and Little Round Top. Enjoy a picnic lunch before touring the cornfields, forests and clearings that make up this hard-fought land. After a moving day at the battlefield, return to the heart of town for dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Gettysburg Hotel SEPTEMBER 12, 2020—THE HIGH WATER MARK OF THE CONFEDERACY After breakfast and a morning lecture at the hotel, we return to the battlefields. Examine the sites of the Culp's Hill, Pickett's Charge, Cemetery Ridge, and Cemetery Hill. Victory here turned the public sentiment in the North, fostering hope that a successful end to fighting and reunification was, indeed, possible. Enjoy a "mess" style lunch on the battlefield grounds. In the afternoon, tour the David Wills House, the heart of the post-battle clean- up, offering a civilian perspective of the war that came to the Wills' front door. After another day immersed in history, come back to the modern world for a farewell dinner as a group. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Gettysburg Hotel SEPTEMBER 13, 2020—REMEMBERING THOSE WHO SERVED Enjoy another breakfast at the hotel and proceed to directly to the battlefield. Journey to the Gettysburg Cyclorama, immerse yourself in the post-war art piece depicting the pivotal Pickett’s Charge. Enjoy a private tour and explore the exhibits at the Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War, including the Morgan Freeman narrated film, “A New Birth of Freedom.” Tour the waving flags and headstones of the Soldiers' National Cemetery and gain a unique appreciation for the sacrifices of previous generations. From here, on November 19, 1863, President Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address. Return home with a deeper understanding of how this pivotal time in our history still reverberates today.
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