Gettysburg History

Gettysburg History Welcome to Gettysburg History — your gateway to America’s most historic town. Learn more on our website: www.achs-pa.org
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Discover stories of the battlefield, the people who shaped our community, and events preserving its legacy. Join us to discover the remarkable story of Gettysburg and Adams County, Pennsylvania! ACHS will take you Beyond the Battle to explore the history of our world-famous American community. New Museum and History Center now open at 625 Biglerville Road - one mile north of Gettysburg.

SATURDAY — Don't miss your chance to witness two revolutionary programs at the Battlefield Overlook Event Center!Histori...
05/28/2026

SATURDAY — Don't miss your chance to witness two revolutionary programs at the Battlefield Overlook Event Center!

Historian Ralph Siegel will discuss the Battle of Princeton, followed by historian Ken Gavin's talk on the Valley Forge winter encampment.

Tickets are FREE for Gettysburg History members and $10 for general admission. Reserve yours today!

-Battle of Princeton: https://113910.blackbaudhosting.com/113910/10-Days-Campaign-Battle-of-Princeton
-Valley Forge: https://113910.blackbaudhosting.com/113910/There-is-But-One-Option-for-the-Winter---Valley-Forge

Do you remember the Distelfink on Old Harrisburg Road just outside of downtown Gettysburg?Opened in 1954, the drive-in's...
05/27/2026

Do you remember the Distelfink on Old Harrisburg Road just outside of downtown Gettysburg?

Opened in 1954, the drive-in's distinctive neon sign featuring a yellow finch welcomed patrons for years before it closed around 2010.

Walt & Janice Lane Collection

In 1938, Gettysburg drew massive crowds for the 75th battle anniversary. Gettysburg College hosted a number of events on...
05/27/2026

In 1938, Gettysburg drew massive crowds for the 75th battle anniversary. Gettysburg College hosted a number of events on its campus, including a visit from 34th Infantry Regiment from Camp Meade, Maryland.

You can see the college's Glatfelter Hall on the right and Plank Gym on the left.

(Image courtesy of Ellen Rice Bonham)

On May 30, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt came to Gettysburg for Memorial Day. The Gettysburg Times reported: "A ...
05/25/2026

On May 30, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt came to Gettysburg for Memorial Day.

The Gettysburg Times reported: "A throng of perspiring, tired but happy men, women and children, ranging in age from babes in arms to civil war veterans and joyously venerable ladies of ninety and more years, variously estimated at between 80,000 and 100,000, gave Franklin D. Roosevelt a rousing ovation when the thirty-second president of the United States came to Gettysburg on Memorial Day."

Forty Army airplanes from Langley field, Virginia, soared overhead in "strict military formation," much to the delight of the crowd, the Times reported. The paper said the day marked the town's largest Memorial Day parade in history.

(Archival images courtesy of Martha Stallsmith)

Don't miss your chance to see acclaimed playwright, actor, and professor Anna Deavere Smith bring her Gettysburg ancesto...
05/24/2026

Don't miss your chance to see acclaimed playwright, actor, and professor Anna Deavere Smith bring her Gettysburg ancestor's story to life in "Basil Biggs" on Thursday, July 2nd.

Smith's new play imaginatively reconstructs the lives of Biggs, his family, and their community as they navigated one of the most turbulent moments in American history.

The live performance will take place at Gettysburg College's Kline Theatre starting at 7:30 p.m. and be followed by a Q & A with Smith.

Reserve your tickets: https://113910.blackbaudhosting.com/113910/Anna-Deavere-Smith-and-Basil-Biggs-A-Live-Performance-in-Gettysburg

One day, two revolutionary programs: Saturday, May 30th we'll welcome historians Ralph Siegel and Ken Gavin for engaging...
05/23/2026

One day, two revolutionary programs: Saturday, May 30th we'll welcome historians Ralph Siegel and Ken Gavin for engaging discussions on the American Revolution.

Ralph kicks things off at 11 a.m. with a talk on the Battle of Princeton and the 10 Days Campaign. Learn how the movement of forces culminated in the climactic fight on farms south of the British stronghold at Princeton College's Nassau Hall.

Take a lunch break then return at 2 p.m., when Ken's conversation will transport us to Valley Forge and George Washington's infamous winter encampment. We'll consider the political, economic, and strategic factors that drove the army to this desperate situation.

Both programs are FREE for Gettysburg History members and $10 for general admission.

Reserve your tickets:
Battle of Princeton: https://113910.blackbaudhosting.com/113910/10-Days-Campaign-Battle-of-Princeton
Valley Forge: https://113910.blackbaudhosting.com/113910/There-is-But-One-Option-for-the-Winter---Valley-Forge

Photo by Gettysburg Images

Update: The cannon firing is officially sold out, but limited tickets remain for the rifle firing. Have you ever wanted ...
05/22/2026

Update: The cannon firing is officially sold out, but limited tickets remain for the rifle firing.

Have you ever wanted to fire a Civil War rifle or cannon? Now's your chance!

Join us on Wednesday, July 1st at Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum where experts will show you how to get hands-on with history as we commemorate the 163rd Battle of Gettysburg anniversary.

Reserve your tickets:
https://113910.blackbaudhosting.com/113910/Fire-a-Civil-War-Rifle---July-1-2026
https://113910.blackbaudhosting.com/113910/Fire-a-Civil-War-Cannon---July-1-2026

183 years ago today, Mary Virginia "Jennie" Wade was born.At just 20 years old, Jennie was killed the morning of July 3,...
05/22/2026

183 years ago today, Mary Virginia "Jennie" Wade was born.

At just 20 years old, Jennie was killed the morning of July 3, 1863 while kneading dough inside her sister Georgia's home on Baltimore Street.

A bullet from a sharpshooter battle at the edge of town traveled into the residence, pierced two doors, and struck Jennie, killing her instantly. She was the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.

She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.

You can learn more about Jennie's story by visiting our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZFXPn7oCWg

This Monday, May 25th, first responders including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, nurses, and doctors receive free ...
05/20/2026

This Monday, May 25th, first responders including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, nurses, and doctors receive free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum and Shriver House Museum at Gettysburg.

Thank you for all you do!

Got old history books? We'd love to accept them as donations for our upcoming Civil War Book Sale!You are welcome to dro...
05/19/2026

Got old history books? We'd love to accept them as donations for our upcoming Civil War Book Sale!

You are welcome to drop off donations at the front desk of the Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The book sale will take place July 3rd.

Address

625 Biglerville Road
Gettysburg, PA
17325

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(717) 334-4723

Website

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