Visitor Center Entrance Fee to Increase in 2012

Date: June 23, 2011
Contact: Katie Lawhon, [phone], ext. 3121
Contact: Dru Anne Neil, [phone]

The National Park Service has approved a proposal by the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation to increase fees for museum exhibits, the film, and the Cyclorama painting at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center beginning in January 2012.

Fees for tickets are collected by the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation, which is responsible for operations of the museum facility.

"The fee increase provides sustainability for the park's primary partner, the Gettysburg Foundation, for at least the next three years," said Bob Kirby, Superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park. "We thank our partners and the public for participating in a public engagement process."

The Foundation uses revenue from ticket sales, the bookstore, and food services in the facility to pay for operations and meet its other financial obligations, including an annual donation to the National Park Service that funds preservation and educational programs on the Gettysburg battlefield.

Beginning on January 2, 2012, the new fees will be:

· Adult (ages 13+) $ 12.50

· Seniors & Military $ 11.50

· Youth (ages 6-12) $ 8.50

· Child (ages 5 and under) FREE

· Student Group (16+ people) $ 8

· Non-Student Group (16+ people) $ 11

The proposed fee increase was released on April 4, 2011, for a thirty day public comment period. Approximately 35 comments were received, with the majority supporting the proposal.

The Park and the Foundation are committed to welcoming residents of Adams County on four fee-free "Community Appreciation" days per year on Veterans Day; Martin Luther King Day; Presidents Day; and in August or early September as a "Back to School" day.

Gettysburg National Military Park has no admission fee. The self-guided auto tour is free. Park Ranger programs on the battlefield, including student education programs presented by Park Rangers are free. There is no charge to enter the Visitor Center to obtain information, attend the free ranger programs offered in the building, view exhibits in the lobby, and do research in the Resource Room. Researchers may use the park's archival and museum collections for free, by appointment.

Gettysburg National Military Park is a unit of the National Park Service that preserves and protects the resources associated with the Battle of Gettysburg and the Soldiers' National Cemetery, and provides an understanding of the events that occurred there within the context of American History. Information is available at www.nps.gov/gett.

The Gettysburg Foundation is a private, non-profit educational organization working in partnership with the National Park Service to enhance preservation and understanding of the heritage and lasting significance of Gettysburg. The Foundation raised funds for and now operates the Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park, which opened in April 2008. In addition to operating the Museum and Visitor Center, the Foundation has a broad preservation mission that includes land, monument and artifact preservation and battlefield rehabilitation-all in support of the National Park Service's goals at Gettysburg. Information is available at www.gettysburgfoundation.org.