Written by Candy B Harrington for Emerging Horizons, November 27, 2021
Battlefield. Memorial. Graveyard. Gettysburg National Military Park www.nps.gov/gett/ is all of these things and more. Not only does the excellent Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War offer a good primer on the conflict; but the vast Gettysburg battlefield and the National Cemetery are reminders of the grave losses suffered in this bloody battle. And since it’s just a short drive from the Keystone State’s capital city, Gettysburg National Military Park makes a great addition to any Harrisburg visit.
A Civil War Primer
The best place to begin your Gettysburg visit is at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. There’s accessible parking near the entrance, barrier-free access to the building, a large accessible restroom inside, and a wheelchair for loan at the front desk. A ranger information desk, which is also located inside, offers free battlefield maps, but to get the most out of your visit it’s best to buy tickets to the visitor center attractions — a film, the Cyclorama and the Museum of the American Civil War.
There’s level access to the theater where the film, A New Birth of Freedom is shown throughout the day. Accessible seating and companion seats are located in the back of the theater. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the 20-minute film offers a good overview of the Civil War from the first shots at Fort Sumter to General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, with an emphasis on the Battle of Gettysburg’s importance in the conflict.
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