150th Anniversary Ranger Programs

(Harry Waters, National Park Service)

 

Each day Gettysburg National Military Park will offer four different interpretive program opportunities. All of these programs are free. Check the following daily schedules for times and locations. Further details about these programs are in the Gettysburg National Military Park commemorative event guide (available in early June) and the park's website, www.nps.gov/gett. The interpretive programs are:

Key Moments Programs- (30 minutes) A brief overview of the events that occurred in a specific location in the park on that day of the battle. Minimal walking, hourly except as noted.

Overview Hikes- (60-90 minute programs) A ranger-guided walking tour of battlefield sites with a more detailed overview of the many phases of the battle.

Battlefield Experience Programs- Special programs that offer visitors a unique programming opportunity to be at a specific point on the battlefield at a moment when some important event or decision was made, or to simply have a unique, one-time experience.

Voices Programs- July 1-4 at the stage north of Meade's Headquarters, this 45 minute program will highlight the words and stories of participants on each day of the battle and the aftermath. 7:30 p.m. nightly.

 

JULY 1 RANGER PROGRAMS

Key Moment Program Stations

Station 1 - McPherson's Ridge
Where: Auto Tour Stop 1
What: Scene of the opening of the battle on July 1 and of fierce fighting that afternoon. Programs on the hour beginning at 9 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 12 noon.

Station 2 - Oak Hill
Where: Station on west side of Eternal Light Peace Monument, Auto Tour Stop 2.
What: The most commanding position on the July 1 battlefield and the jump-off point for key Confederate attacks during the afternoon. Programs on the hour beginning at 10 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 12 noon.

Station 3 - Eternal Light Peace Memorial Park Information Station
Where: East side of Eternal Light Peace Memorial.
What: Park Information on the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, the July 1 battle action, and general park visitation available. Open at 10 AM to 5 PM.

Station 4 - Barlow's Knoll
Where: Barlow's Knoll, Auto Tour Stop on East Howard Avenue.
What: The far right flank of the Union front on July 1. A successful Confederate attack here helped unravel the Union line and force its retreat through Gettysburg. Programs on the hour beginning at 10 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 1 PM.

Station 5 - Cemetery Hill
Where: Baltimore Street Entrance to National Cemetery.
What: The defeated Union troops of the 1st and 11th Corps rallied and reorganized here. The hill would become the anchor of the new Union defensive line. Programs on the hour beginning at 11 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 1 PM.

Overview Hikes

10:30 AM - 11:45 - The Battle of McPherson's Ridge
Start: McPherson's Ridge station, Auto Tour Stop 1.

3:30 - 4:30 PM - The Battle North of Town
Start: Barlow's Knoll station, East Howard Avenue

Battlefield Experience Programs

9:30 - 11:30 AM - The Last March of the Iron Brigade
Start: Codori farm, east side of Emmitsburg Road
End: McPherson's Ridge station

4:00 - 6:30 PM - Yankees, Rebels and Civilians - The First Day of Battle Ends
Start: Park at stadium parking lot at Gettysburg College and walk to different stops. See NPS Commemorative Guide available at the Museum and Visitor Center for further details about this program and download a copy of the tour map here (pdf).

Voices Program, The First Day

Where: Main stage north of Meade's Headquarters.
7:30 PM to 8:15 PM.

 

JULY 2 RANGER PROGRAMS

Key Moment Program Stations

Station 1 - Little Round Top
Where: Little Round Top, Auto Tour Stop 8
What: The key terrain on the Union left flank and the scene of heavy fighting on the afternoon of July 2. Programs on the hour beginning at 10 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 1 PM.

Station 2 - Devil's Den
Where: Opposite Devil's Den parking area on Sickles Avenue
What: The Union 3rd Corps anchored its left flank here on July 2. That afternoon a desperate struggle ensued when Confederates of Longstreet's Corps attacked. Programs on the hour beginning at 10 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 1 PM.

Station 3 - The Wheatfield
Where: The Wheatfield, Auto Tour Stop 9
What: The wheat field of farmer George Rose changed hands several times in the ebb and flow of battle on July 2 and left hundreds of casualties. Programs on the hour beginning at 10 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 1 PM.

Station 4 - The Peach Orchard
Where: Auto Tour Stop 10 - Peach Orchard
What: The linchpin of the forward line established by General Dan Sickles's 3rd Corps. It was overrun by troops of Longstreet's corps in furious fighting late that afternoon. Programs on the hour beginning at 10 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 1 PM.

Station 5 - High Water Mark Area
Where: Near Copse of Trees, Auto Tour Stop 15.
What: Late in the afternoon of July 2 Confederate attacks nearly broke through the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Programs on the hour beginning at 11 AM with the last at 5 PM, no program at 1 PM.

Station 6 - Spangler's Spring
Where: Auto Tour Stop 13
What: In the early evening of July 2 Confederates of General Richard Ewell's Second Corps moved forward to attack Culp's Hill. The battle that spread across the hill's slopes lasted until 10 p.m. Programs on the hour beginning at 12 noon with the last at 6 PM, no program at 2 PM. Shuttle service not available after 6 PM.

Station 7 - Cemetery Hill
Where: Baltimore Street entrance of Soldiers' National Cemetery
What: Confederate troops of Ewell's Confederate Second Corps struck Cemetery Hill at nearly the same time the battle for Culp's Hill opened. The fighting that ensued was at some points hand to hand. Programs on the hour beginning at 12 noon with the last at 7 PM, no program at 2 PM. Shuttle service not available after 6 PM.

Overview Hikes

1:30 - 3:00 p.m. - The Valley of Death - The Battle of Little Round Top and Devil's Den
Start: Meet at the Devil's Den station.

3:30 - 4:45 p.m. - Sickles Line under Attack
Start: Meet opposite the Klingle Farm on Sickles Avenue.

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. - Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill
Start: Meet at the Baltimore Street Entrance of Cemetery Hill.

Battlefield Experience Programs

6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - In the Footsteps of Capt. Johnston
Start: Check NPS Commemorative Guide and Gettysburg NMP website, www.nps.gov/gett for further details.

9:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. - Council of War
Start: Meade's Equestrian Statue, Hancock Avenue. Check NPS Commemorative Guide available at the park Museum and Visitor Center for further details.
End: Meade's Headquarters.

Voices Program, The Second Day

Where: Main stage north of Meade's Headquarters.
7:30 to 8:15 p.m.

 

JULY 3 RANGER PROGRAMS

Key Moment Program Stations

Station 1 - Spangler's Spring
Where: Auto Tour Stop 13
What: The contest for Culp's Hill was renewed before dawn and would rage for seven continual hours. Programs on the hour beginning at 8 AM with the last at 11 AM.

Overview Hikes

7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. - The Battle for Culp's Hill
Start: Meet at Spangler's Spring station

10:30 a.m. - 11:45 - Clash of Cavalry, East Cavalry Field
Start: Meet at the Michigan Brigade monument, Gregg Avenue.

Battlefield Experience Programs

6 a.m. - 7 a.m. - Fateful Decision,Lee and Longstreet on July 3
Start: Peach Orchard, Auto Tour Stop 10 on Sickles Avenue. See NPS Commemorative Guide available at the park Museum and Visitor Center for further details.
End: The Peach Orchard

3 p.m. - 4:30 - Pickett's Charge Commemorative March
Walk in the footsteps of Confederate soldiers who made this fateful attack from Seminary Ridge or stand on the ground defended by Union soldiers on Cemetery Ridge. Nine NPS rangers will lead groups representing each of the Confederate assaulting brigades, and three NPS rangers will assemble groups where men of three Union divisions awaited the attack.
Start: To follow in the Confederate soldiers' footsteps proceed toward the North Carolina and Virginia Memorial to find the brigade you wish to join. For the Union groups meet at one of the three NPS tent stations along Cemetery Ridge, adjacent to Hancock Avenue. See the NPS Commemorative Guide available at the park's Museum and Visitor Center for further details about this program.

Voices Program, The Third Day

Where: Main stage north of Meade's Headquarters.
7:30 to 8:15 p.m.

 

JULY 4 RANGER PROGRAMS

Key Moment Program Stations

Station 1 - Soldiers' National Cemetery: Commemoration & Rededication
Where: Taneytown Road entrance to the Soldiers' National Cemetery
What: In the months following the battle the Soldiers' National Cemetery was established as the final resting place for 3,556 Union soldiers who lost their lives in the battle. On November 19, 1863 President Lincoln helped dedicate this hallowed ground and defined with his Gettysburg Address what was at stake for the country in the war. Programs on the hour beginning at 9 AM with the last at 5 PM, no program at 12 noon.

Station 2 - The Spangler Farm, Treating the Wounded
Where: George Spangler farm. Access to the George Spangler farm is available by shuttle only. This is free and will run regularly from the Visitor Center.
What: The George Spangler farm served as a Union corps field hospital, treating over 1,700 wounded Union and Confederate soldiers during and after the battle. Today, the Spangler farm is the best preserved example of a field hospital that exists on the battlefield. Programs on the hour beginning at 10 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 1 PM.

Station 3 - The Civilians' Story
Where: Brian barn on Hancock Avenue
What: Civilians were more than innocent bystanders to the battle. They helped house and care for the wounded and bury the dead, and struggled to rebuild and restore normalcy to their lives following the greatest battle fought in North America. Programs on the hour beginning at 9 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 1 PM.

Stop 4 - The Prisoners' Story
Where:Meade's Headquarters
What: There were nearly 17,000 men who became prisoners of war during the battle. This is the story of their experience from the battlefield to prison camp. Programs on the hour beginning at 9 AM with the last at 5 PM. No program at 12 noon.

Overview Hikes

1:30 - 2:45 - Three Farms in the Path of Battle on July 2
Start: Meet opposite the Klingle Farm on Sickles Avenue

3:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Commemoration and Memory of the Battle
Start: Meet at the Pennsylvania Monument, Auto Tour Stop 12.

Battlefield Experience Programs

7 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Gettysburg Aftermath in 4D - The Rose Farm
Start: Brooke Avenue on Rose Hill opposite 53rd Pennsylvania Monument. See NPS Commemorative Guide available at the park Museum and Visitor Center and www.nps.gov/gett for details on parking.
End: Rose Hill
What: Within days of the battle, Alexander Gardner and his crew recorded more photographs of the Civil War's human toll than any other photographer secured at any other battlefield of the war. More than 35% of all known photos of Civil War dead were taken by Gardner's crew at Gettysburg. Of all the places at Gettysburg, more fallen were recorded on the Rose Farm than at any other site, making it a sad but appropriate place to visualize the horror of Gettysburg's aftermath. Join Garry Adelman and Tim Smith for a four-dimensional experience that explores the stories behind the photographs.

10:00- 11:30 a.m. - The John Slyder Farm - A hands-on Look At One Gettysburg Farm Family's Experience with the Battle and its Aftermath.
Start: Slyder farm [Park on South Confederate Avenue and follow trail to Slyder Farm]
End: Slyder farm.
What: See NPS Commemorative Guide available at the park Museum and Visitor Center for details.

 

* Schedule subject to change in case of inclement weather. Stayed tuned to Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/GettysburgNMP and www.twitter.com/GettysburgNMP for hourly updates.

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