Gettysburg National Military Park

The park library maintains a collection of books and records relative to the American Civil War, the Gettysburg Campaign, dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery, and the development, interpretation, and administration of Gettysburg National Military Park. Library holdings include books, bound volumes, vertical files, manuscripts, limited photographs, maps, microfilm and audio-visual materials. Within our collection are a number of rare first edition regimental histories, campaign studies, and memoirs accessible by permission only. Our purpose is to maintain a historic reference facility and a database for park staff to use for writing and planning park programs, to enhance the interpretation of the battlefield and National Cemetery, and provide our visitors with the best park experience available.

The library is open for public research by appointment only. Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance. The library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Availability may be limited due to staffing limitations, so call for available dates. Please note that the park library is closed on all Federal holidays.

Researchers are required to sign in each time they use the facility. Researchers are welcome to bring in laptop computers, digital cameras, notebook paper, and pencils, but personal files and paper collections are not allowed without pre-arrangement with library staff. 

Access to the stacks, vertical files, and rare books is through the assistance of library staff only. Photocopies of materials will depend on the original's condition and any copyright restrictions. Requests for information about library collections can be made by mail or phone.

Policy on Requests for Duplicates: Effective June 6, 1998, requests for copies of material from the library must be made in writing and are limited to six requests per person per year. Copies are limited to 30 pages per request. We reserve the right to refuse requests to provide copies of entire files simply for personal collection. Some library holdings may not be reproduced due to poor condition or restricted use outside the park. Additionally, there are some documents we recommend be obtained from the original source or repository. Gettysburg National Military Park reserves the right to refuse any request for copies by parties outside of the National Park Service where conflict in copyright and ownership of materials may arise. The library staff is limited and replies will take time, so your patience is requested.

Library Address:

Gettysburg National Military Park
1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100
Gettysburg PA 17325
Attn. Library

Phone: (717) 334-1124, ext. 1231 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST)
Fax: (717) 334-1997

Current Update on Library Availability, July 9, 2009:
Due to other park commitments, the park library is unavailable for appointments on these dates:

July 16, 2009- closed until 10 AM.
July 23, 2009
July 24, 2009

Index of the Library Vertical Files and Archival Box Collections:

1. General Guide to the Research Collection
   A general guide to holdings in the park library.
2. Vertical File Index
   Complete index and descriptions of the library vertical files.
3. Library Archival Box Collection
   Index of manuscripts and documents stored in the library archival box collection.
4. The Gregory A. Coco Collection
   Index of Civil War diaries, manuscripts and documents in the Gregory A. Coco Collection.
5. Index of Unit Rosters
   Index of rosters by state for Union and Confederate regiments and batteries, in the library collection.

Local Gettysburg and Adams County History

The Gettysburg National Military Park Library does not hold census, geneological or lands history records of Gettysburg and Adams County residents. For information on the history of this county and the residents who have inhabited the area, we suggest researchers contact the Adams County Historical Society at www.achs-pa.org.