History with every step!
Gettysburg National Military Park is such a wonderful place to visit for those who love history and for those who (like me) didn't realize how moving historical parks can be. To truly appreciate your visit, the first time visitor should know some of what happened here and why it was such a significant event in our history. Go to the library or on the internet and read up on this important battle. Learn a little about the key characters involved (Lee, Meade, Buford, Chamberlain, Longstreet, Pickett) and some of the lesser known names (John Burns, Jenny Wade). Watch the movie "Gettysburg" to get a visual feel for some of what took place in these fields 145 years ago. Read the Gettysburg Address. Once prepared, start your day at the beautiful new Visitor's Center to get you brushed up on your Civil War and Gettysburg history. I strongly recommend that all first time visitors sign up for a personal Tour Guide to view the battlefield. The guides are very knowledgeable and will drive you and your family in your car around the park for 2 hours (approximately $55 total). It is well worth it as you can ask as many questions you like. Using what you learned from the Tour Guide, spend the next day following the driving tour around the park at your leisure. Be sure to get out of the car and read the interpretive signs, take pictures, and just appreciate what it was like to have been there at the time. Before you know it you will want to visit other battlefields like Antietam (1 hour south in Sharpsburg, MD) and then on to Harper's Ferry, WV (only 20 minutes from Antietam). Enjoy your visit.