News

 

Mr. Lincoln's Trail: A Walking Tour

The Gettysburg Address is recognized not only as one of Lincoln's greatest speeches but as one of the great pieces of rhetoric in the English language. 

President Lincoln arrived in Gettysburg on November 18, 1863 at the Historic Gettysburg Railroad Station and walked the short distance to the house of David Wills where he stayed the evening before delivering the Address at ceremonies dedicating the Soldiers' National Cemetery.

Visitors to Gettysburg can now walk in Lincoln's footsteps using Mr. Lincoln's Trail: A Walking Tour a brochure authored by Dr. Brad Hoch, Advisor to the Chair of the Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. The brochure is online here. 

A video about the Historic Gettysburg Railroad Station and the Lincoln Flag exhibit, produced by the PA ALBC and narrated by Dr. Hoch, is available for viewing here.

01/27/2010

 

Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life

Now - 1/2011

The life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln is brought to light for the first time ever with a re-examination of the unique and unparalleled collection of Lincoln artifacts and memorabilia held by the National Museum of American History.

Each highlighted object will be augmented with personal stories told by Lincoln and the people who knew him best. The exhibition will showcase more than 60 historical treasures associated with Lincoln's life from an iron wedge he used to split wood in the early 1830s in New Salem, Illinois, to his iconic top hat he wore the night he was shot at Ford's Theatre. Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life will tell a new and very intimate story of the nation's 16th president.  Visit the exhibit online here.

02/25/2010

 

2009 Dedication Day Events in Gettysburg

November 19, 2009 began with a fine mist of rain that set a somber mood so fitting for the events at Soldiers' National Cemetery. An estimated crowd of nearly 3,000 enjoyed speeches by Governor Edward G. Rendell and Academy Award winning actor, Richard Dreyfuss, performances by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, the Gettysburg High School Ceremonial Brass Band, and soloist Wayne Hill.  Also featured was a Naturalization ceremony for 16 citizen candidates presented by the United States Citizenship and Naturalization Services.

Please view the PHOTO GALLERY of the day's events.  All photos courtesy of Paul Kuehnel.

Governor Rendell read a letter from President Barack Obama that said of Lincoln "...Governing a house divided, it was the courage of his convictions that saw us through slavery's dark storm.  Because of the sacrifice of the soldiers resting here, and that of our beloved Lincoln, our Union stands indivisible since the time the Great Emancipator said it was so." You can read the full text of the President's letter here.

Events at Soldiers' National Cemetery were live streamed from the frontpage of the PA ALBC website. Click on VIEW THE ARCHIVE in the lower left-hand column under WEBCAST.

On the evening of November 19, Gettysburg provided a packed house at the Majestic Theater for the world premiere of "For the People" an oratorio composed by Professor John "Buzz" Jones of the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College in honor of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College for the Lincoln Bicentennial.   The oratorio included performances by the Spires Brass Band, The Sunderman Convervatory of Music Woodwind Octet, and the Victorian Dance Ensemble. Featured soloists were Roosevelt Credit, bass-baritone; Jeffrey Fahnestock, tenor; and Kathleen Sasnett, soprano. We were so honored to have actor Stephen Lang provide narration for this spectacular evening. View the video here.

Following the oratorio, Nick Taylor was awarded the 11th Annual Shaara Prize for his book "The Disagreement" and Michael Burlingame delivered the 48th Annual Robert Fortenbaugh Lecture.  His topic was "Abraham Lincoln: New Information, Fresh Perspectives." View the video here.

 

12/04/2009

 

Railroad Exhibit: Box Car War: Logistics of the Civil War

Beginning on April 15th, the Historic Gettysburg Railroad Station will host a railroad exhibt provided by the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg

"Box Car War: Logistics of the Civil War"

The exhibit will examine the tremendous efforts of Union and Confederate forces to supply and maintain their armies in the field and will follow the process of raising massive wartime armies from small peacetime militia, the administrative burden of mustering in soldiers, as well as the process of providing orders on each level of the armies and navies from companies to corps, and from ship to fleet. What it took to keep these armies in the field and navies on the sea will be explored, as we look at the supply chain: from the need, ordering, manufacturing, delivery, requisition, and issuing. The exhibit will also examine this supply cycle in other areas, such as transportation, food, medicine, and much more.

Historic Gettysburg Railroad Station, 35 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg, PA  (717) 337-8233
Open daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Free admission.

View the online exhibit here.

04/12/2010

 

"For the People" World Premiere Video November 19, 2009

FOR THE PEOPLE (World Premiere Video)

The world premiere of "For the People" was presented on November 19, 2009 at the Majestic Theater, Gettysburg

The oratorio, composed and conducted by John William Jones Professor of Music, The Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College included performances by The Spires Brass Band; Kathleen Sasnett, soprano, Jeffrey Fahnestock, tenor, Roosevelt Credit, bass-baritone, The Sunderman Conservatory Woodwind Octet, The Victorian Dance Ensemble. Special guest narrator: Stephen Lang

Dedicated to the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College in celebration of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. Texts from "Of The People, By the People, For The People" (ed. by Gabor S. Boritt),popular songs of the day, and biblical verse.

05/10/2010

 

CWI Conference Closing Event:"Civil War Voices" and Stephen Lang

Please join us on Friday, July 2nd for the closing event of the 2010 Annual Civil War Institute Conference at Gettysburg College at 7:00 p.m in the CUB Ballroom.

"Civil War Voices" Excerpts from this new musical that chronicles the experiences of five individuals who lived during the Civil War, including General Joshua Chamberlain and Elizabeth Keckley, a freed slave who became Mary Todd Lincoln's seamstress. Set to popular Civil War songs with musical arrangements by composer Mark Hayes. (More info: www.civilwarvoices.com)
     
The evening will continue with a presentation with actor, Stephen Lang. Mr. Lang will narrate excerpts from "Gettysburg" a newly produced audio CD adapted from the works of Gabor Boritt, Director Emeritus, Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College and produced by filmmaker Jake Boritt. Come see this amazing combination of talent as one of America's great actors brings to life the work of one of Gettysburg's great historians. A Q&A session and book signing will follow. (More info: www.boritt.com late June)
     
This is event is FREE and open to the public. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis. (Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.)  The College Union Building Ballroom is location number 19 on the Gettysburg College campus map located HERE. 

FLYER FOR THIS EVENT    PRESS RELEASE FOR THIS EVENT

This event is sponsored by The Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College and The Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Funding is provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

           

06/14/2010

 

"Olde Getty Place"

"Olde Getty Place" in Gettysburg was created through the Elm Street Program of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is an  historic neighborhood within Gettysburg's Third Ward.  

Often overlooked by visitors, "Olde Getty Place" is home to the St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church, the Gettysburg Female Institute (birthplace of the Lutheran Theological Seminary and Gettysburg College), St. Francis Xavier Church (which served as a hospital during and after the battle), and Lincoln Cemetery, established in 1867 as a final resting place for Gettysburg's African American residents.

 "Olde Getty Place - A Gettysburg Walking Tour" was published to help visitors learn more about these and other "hidden" historic places in Gettysburg.

More info on the brochure

07/22/2010