Explore America Series: Gettysburg and Lancaster

I really wanted to see Amish-oriented things: farms, markets, crafts, etc.  But I scheduled us in Lancaster, starting Saturday night and leaving Monday morning.  If I had thought it through, I would have realized the Amish do not work on Sundays! 😁 LOL.  So we decided to spend time in Gettysburg.  From school, we knew it was a part of the civil war and Abraham Lincoln gave a speech here.  Even though it is an hour away from Lancaster, it was a go- it was a chance for me to get more stamps in my National Park Passport, learn more about this area, the civil war and Gettysburg.  WOW!!!  We did not expect to learn how bloody this 3 day battle was!  7000 soldiers lost their lives in the 3 day battle, many more died from injuries, and it was a turning point in the civil war.  We also learned that despite over-whelming numbers, the Union won, mostly because of missteps by Lee's generals.  

This is a National Park I think every American should visit, especially in this time of heated and unrestrained rhetoric dividing the country.  The sadness this park generated from the casualties, the mass buriels, the number of soldiers whose names are unknown, that this was American against American- generates nothing but sadness.

The Park is fantastic!  It is a drive around park, very well marked for each of the battles and positions, with markers, statuary and monuments commemorating the soldiers from each state.  The drive takes about 3 hours, 2 if you go a shorter route.  Plus you must visit the cemetary- the number of graves is staggering- for me, it was as emotional as Arlington in DC.  Plus there is a monument at the spot Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address.

Inside the Visitors Center is a 15 minute film, a Cyclorama (a 350 degree painting with various props slopping up to the mural).  It is one of just a few cyclorama's in the world!  The feature has a light show of the various battles as they described the 3 day battle, along with sound effects.  It is chilling and fascinating at the same time.

Then you are lead to a museum, which we spent about 2 hours walking through!  It talks about individuals, both officers and soldiers, living conditions, medical care they received (hint- almost none), has actual uniforms, weapons, flags, films, interviews, written materials- all about this battle and the war.

You can also hire guides to the site, but it is extremely well marked and described throughout.  Again- go see it- it is well worth the trip.

Gettysburg-  The town of Gettysburg is very cute, with lots of themed shops.  The attraction, thought is the National Park.

The entry to the visitors center

Rich and Cody with Lincoln

Selfie with Lincoln

At the entry to the film

Cyclorama photo- the following few photos are in the cyclorama

Cyclorama's around the world- I had not heard of them

Uniform and equipment for the Confederate

Uniform and equipment for the Union

Photos of those who lost their lives at Gettysburg

There were live-action players- here is a seamstress

weapons of the civil war

Rich at one of the hundreds of canons located along the trail.

Lancaster- the town of Lancaster has a lot of charm to it.  On Saturday night we went to a great bar and restaurant- it was packed!  Sunday, the town was dead- restaurants and shops were closed.  We ended up eating dinner in a cool restaurant just out of town.  I would probably stay in Gettysburg if we returned.  But the surrounding area is fantastically beautiful, with rolling hills and farms and farm animals- I loved walking the area in the mornings.