Date: July 5, 2017
Contact: Ahna Wilson, 717-338-4411
This Saturday and Sunday, July 8 and 9, the National Park Service will commemorate the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into the Great War in 1917. Visitors to the Eisenhower National Historic Site will encounter living historians portraying members of the Allied forces and those of the Central Powers. In addition, visitors on Saturday can listen to special programs from guest speakers talking about, “Ike and Mamie in 1917”, “The World at War in 1917”, and “The Betrayal at Little Gibraltar”.
Guest Speakers: Saturday July 8
11:15 a.m.: Paul Shevchuk, Retired National Park Service and Eisenhower Historian will speak on “Ike and Mamie in 1917”.
1:15 p.m.: Dr. Ian Isherwood, Assistant Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College will be discussing the events in Europe and the US in 1917.
2:15 p.m.: William T. Walker, an educator and a writer with a lifelong fascination with military history, will speak on the “Betrayal at Little Gibraltar” in 1918 during the Muese Arrgonne offensive.
The site will also offer a special children’s “Join the Army” program. The program will introduce a new generation to America’s entry into the war, how we raised a national Army to fight it, and how we eventually brought that Army home. Join a Park Ranger for this program presented at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:15 p.m. on Saturday.
On both Saturday and Sunday, Living Historians will be set up on the grounds surrounding the Eisenhower home and will provide a glimpse into the World at War, 1914 - 1918.
Admission to the Eisenhower National Historic Site is by shuttle bus. Buses depart from the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center located at 1195 Baltimore Pike. For reservations, call 1-877-874-2478. Fees for the shuttle bus are: adults, $9.00; children 6-12, $5.00; children age 6 and under are free.
