Last updated: August 29, 2022
Place
Cyclorama Focal Point Wayside Exhibit
This wayside exhibit marks the focal point of the Gettysburg Cyclorama Painting. In the spring of 1882, French artist Paul D. Philippoteaux visited the battlefield for the purpose of painting a cyclorama of the Battle of Gettysburg. The subject of the battle selected for the painting was Pickett’s Charge. Philippoteaux hired William Tipton, a local photographer, to shoot a series of landscape photographs from this location. Since the perspective of the viewer in the painting would be that of someone looking down upon the action, they built an elevated platform near this spot for Tipton to take the landscape series. Philippoteaux then used these images to faithfully reproduce the Gettysburg landscape as it existed during his visit there, which had changed little since July 1863.
From this point it is possible to have a closer look at the reproduction limbers and caissons that were used to move artillery pieces and haul ammunition. These vehicles represent the equipment of Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery, which was positioned in this area on July 2 and July 3.
From this point it is possible to have a closer look at the reproduction limbers and caissons that were used to move artillery pieces and haul ammunition. These vehicles represent the equipment of Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery, which was positioned in this area on July 2 and July 3.