Copyright: National Park Service
Gettysburg National Military Park
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Description - Gettysburg National Military Park is the site of the largest U.S. Civil War battle which occurred on July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. It resulted in a Union victory and Confederate retreat. Over 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, making it the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. The Park incorporates nearly 6,000 acres with 26 miles of roads and over 1,400 monuments, markers and memorials, making it one of the world's largest collections of outdoor sculpture. The Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg contains more than 7,000 interments including over 3,500 from the Civil War. It is also the site of President Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address, which he delivered during the dedication ceremonies on November 19, 1863. This National Park offers a variety of recreation including multi-use trails, interpretive programs, walking tours, bicycle tours, campfire programs and living history demonstrations.
Attractions
- Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is the site of the largest U.S. Civil War battle. The Battle of Gettysburg occurred on July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. It resulted in a Union victory and Confederate retreat. Over 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, making it the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. It was also a major turning point in the war. The park incorporates nearly 6,000 acres, with 26 miles of park roads and over 1,400 monuments, markers and memorials, making it one of the world's largest collections of outdoor sculpture. The Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg contains more than 7,000 interments including over 3,500 from the Civil War. It is also the site of President Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address, which he delivered during the dedication ceremonies on November 19, 1863.
Recreation - This site supports a vast variety of recreation opportunities for visitors of all ages and interests. The best way to determine your choices is to stop at the visitor center, which contains the Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War. This museum features one of the world's largest collections of Civil War items and Gettysburg related memorabilia. The Electric Map also resides at this site. It is the park's orientation program to the battle. Another place to orient yourself to the battlefield is the Cyclorama Center. This site contains the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a 360 foot long circular oil-on-canvas painting depicting "Pickett's Charge," the climactic moment of the battle. Completed and exhibited in 1884, it is one of the last surviving cycloramas in the United States. A 20-minute sound and light program accompanies the painting. There is also a free 20-minute film on the battle in the Cyclorama Center auditorium and free exhibits. Bicyclists, hikers and scenic drivers can enjoy over 26 miles of park roads and avenues. There are also numerous hiking trails and a horse riding trail that covers most of the park. A wide variety of interpretive programs are offered April through October, but the core season for programs is mid-June through mid-August. There are walking tours, bicycle tours, campfire programs and living history demonstrations. Climate - Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Gettysburg area has cold winter months with temperatures averaging above 28 degrees Fahrenheit (above -2 degrees Celsius). The area's average summer temperatures range above 74 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius). Location -
Gettysburg lies in south central Pennsylvania near the Maryland border. It is easily accessed from Highway 15 and Interstate 81.
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