World War I Weekend at Eisenhower National Historic Site

Join living history volunteers to explore the events of World War I

NPS Photo

How did Gettysburg and the Great War shape a future five-star general and president? Explore answers to this question and more at Eisenhower National Historic Site’s World War I Weekend on May 4 & 5. The National Park Service will host interactive living history displays with exhibits and programs exploring the American Experience in World War I. A full schedule of programming for that weekend can be seen below. 

On May 4 and 5, Eisenhower NHS is partnering with the East Coast Doughboys, U.S. Marine Corps Historical Company, U.S. Naval Heritage and Command Center, and the “Pall Mall Doughboys” from Sgt. Alvin C. York State Park (TN) for free exhibits and living history displays. Living historians and park staff will also provide free programming throughout the weekend. On Saturday May 4, staff from the National Medal of Honor Museum will be on-site to discuss Medal of Honor recipients from World War I. 

In addition to these displays, the Eisenhower home will have an open house. Visitors will be admitted to the home for self-guided tours on a rolling basis between 10 am and 3 pm on both days. Admission to Eisenhower NHS is free. Visitors may drive directly to the site. Please use 250 Eisenhower Farm Rd for GPS or visit here for directions. Visitors should enter the site from Emmitsburg Rd. Please follow signs for on-site parking.

Schedule of Events for World War I Weekend

NOTE: This schedule is subject to change. All programs are free of charge. All programs are 20-30 minutes in length unless otherwise specified. 

Saturday May 4

• 10 AM to 3 PM: Eisenhower Home Open House Tours
• 10 AM to 4 PM: Living History Displays and On-Site Exhibits Open to the Public
• 10 AM: Captain Eisenhower and Camp Colt--Explore the story of Captain Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gettysburg's very own Camp Colt with Park Ranger Alyce Evans for this overview program. Learn how "Ike" encountered challenges and grew as a young leader during this memorable chapter in his storied military career. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
• 11 AM: The "Harlem Hellfighters"-- During the First World War, the U.S. Armed Forces were segregated. Black Americans were part of the war in many areas, but the most celebrated are the men from 369^th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters. Join Ari Lopez Wei of the East Coast Doughboys to learn about the bravery of the 369th Infantry Regiment as they fought alongside the French, who welcomed the soldiers. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse. 
• 12 PM: "From the Farm to France: The US Doughboy in World War I"--From stateside training camps like Camp Colt, thousands of Americans were prepared for war and sent to the Western Front in Europe. Join staff from the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Site (TN) for a program exploring how the United States turned thousands of citizens into soldiers in 1917 and 1918. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
• 1 PM: The US Navy and US Marines in World War I-- Join staff from the Naval History and Heritage Command and the US Marine Corps Historical Company for this free presentation on U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine forces during World War I. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Bank Barn. 
• 2 PM: Art in the Trenches: America's First War Artists--When the U.S. Army Signal Corps entered WWI, it also brought along trained artists. In this talk by artist James Loder of the East Coast Doughboys, find out about the half dozen soldiers who also carried paintbrushes and art supplies with their gas mask. James will also be painting during the weekend. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
• 3:30 PM: Ranger Guided Walking Tour of Camp Colt- Join Park Ranger John Tuskan for this free program exploring how Captain Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded a tank training camp right here in Gettysburg in 1918. This program will last for approximately one hour, and will meet at the National Cemetery Parking lot on Taneytown Rd, Auto Tour Stop 16 for Gettysburg National Military Park. 

Sunday May 5

• 10 AM to 3 PM: Eisenhower Home Open House Tours
• 10 AM to 3 PM: Living History Displays and On-Site Exhibits Open to the Public
• 10 AM: Captain Eisenhower and Camp Colt--Explore the story of Captain Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gettysburg's very own Camp Colt with Park Ranger Alyce Evans for this overview program. Learn how "Ike" encountered challenges and grew as a young leader during this memorable chapter in his storied military career. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
• 11 AM: The "Harlem Hellfighters"-- During the First World War, the U.S. Armed Forces were segregated. Black Americans were part of the war in many areas, but the most celebrated are the men from 369^th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters. Join Ari Lopez Wei of the East Coast Doughboys to learn about the bravery of the 369th Infantry Regiment as they fought alongside the French, who welcomed the soldiers. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse. 
• 12 PM: "From the Farm to France: The US Doughboy in World War I"--From stateside training camps like Camp Colt, thousands of Americans were prepared for war and sent to the Western Front in Europe. Join staff from the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Site (TN) for a program exploring how the United States turned thousands of citizens into soldiers in 1917 and 1918. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
• 1 PM: The US Navy and US Marines in World War I-- Join staff from the Naval History and Heritage Command and the US Marine Corps Historical Company for this free presentation on U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine forces during World War I. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Bank Barn. 
• 2 PM: Art in the Trenches: America's First War Artists--When the U.S. Army Signal Corps entered WWI, it also brought along trained artists. In this talk by artist James Loder of the East Coast Doughboys, find out about the half dozen soldiers who also carried paintbrushes and art supplies with their gas mask. James will also be painting during the weekend. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.

Details

Activity

Living History

This event will feature living history displays, exhibits, programs, and tours of the Eisenhower home. 

Pets Allowed

Yes

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

No

No reservations are required except for groups of 10 or more who wish to visit. Those groups should contact the park in advance through the park website.

Season

Spring

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

This event will take place primarily outdoors. Several exhibits will be in grassy fields that are adjacent to paved walkways. One exhibit will be in the Eisenhower bank barn, which is accessible via a grassy slope and a ramp. 

The Eisenhower home is a historic structure. The second floor is only accessible via stairs. 

World War I in the NPS