Eisenhower Site Summer Programs Begin June 8

News Release Date: May 31, 2013

Contact: Carol Hegeman, 717-338-9114 Ext. 4411

Stories about the prominent world leaders of the Cold War era, President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s frustrations playing golf, his secret service protection, and much more are the focus of National Park Service programs at the Eisenhower National Historic Site this summer. 

Some programs include an opportunity to inspect the weapons and equipment American soldiers carried with them onto the beaches of Normandy, or a guided walk with a Park Ranger through the streets of Eisenhower’s Gettysburg to relive the President’s life and times.

Summer programs begin June 8and run through August 18, and include:

EXPLORING EISENHOWER   Explore the life and career of this extraordinary soldier/statesman during a 30-minute walk or talk. Offered daily at 10:15 a.m.,11:15 a.m.1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Topics include Eisenhower’s military career, the Secret Service’s role in protecting the president, Eisenhower’s Presidency and the Eisenhowers’ life in Gettysburg.

EISENHOWER AND THE MEN OF D-DAY Learn what it was like to be an American infantry soldier under Eisenhower’s command in the D-Day invasion and see the weapons and equipment the soldiers carried. Offered daily at 12:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.

JUNIOR SECRET SERVICE Children ages 7-12 visiting with their family may become Junior Secret Service Agents by completing the self-guided activities in the Jr. Secret Service Training Manual provided at the site. Activities include practicing radio procedure, using binoculars to locate a suspicious object, and interrogating employees who might be imposters.  New agents are awarded a badge and certificate. 

HIKE WITH IKE This walking tour of downtown Gettysburg explores Eisenhower’s life in the community. Thursdays,June 13 - August 15, 7:15 p.m. Meet the ranger at the Gettysburg College gates, at the corner of North Washington and Water Streets.  Free.

THE EISENHOWER ACADEMY- July14-19 A week-long institute focuses on the Eisenhower presidency, including foreign and domestic policy, events, crises, and the life-style of 1950’s America.  Topics include the Cold War, civil rights, and 1950s popular culture. Field trips include a visit to the Eisenhower National Historic Site and a walking tour of Eisenhower’s Gettysburg. Graduate credits or Pennsylvania professional education credits (Act 48 hours) available. Fee. [phone].

Begin your Eisenhower visit at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg. Entrance to the site is by shuttle bus only. Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis for the next available tour, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with shuttles leaving for the site every 30 minutes. Advance reservations are also available by calling 1-877-874-2478. The fees are: Adults $7.50; ages 6-12, $5.00. A site visit includes an orientation tour, a tour of the Eisenhower home, a cell phone tour, and ranger-conducted programs. Self-guided walks feature the putting green, rose gardens, guest house, cattle barns and skeet range. A reception center includes a film about Eisenhower’s life, exhibits and a bookstore. 

For more information contact Eisenhower National Historic Site at [phone] or visit the web site at <www.nps.gov/eise>.