The Battle of Gettysburg Revisited

Exactly 147 years ago to this date – well, not EXACTLY, but thereabouts – the Confederate and Union forces fought a bloody battle, which came to be known as The Wheatfield Battle. The battle, also called The Harvest of Death, was fought on July 2, 1863, and is acknowledged as the turning point in Civil War history that saw many heroic stories and legends emanate from both sides.

Though argument still rages over who won the battle, each year, scores of people descend into Gettysburg to recreate Civil War history, more specifically, The Wheatfield Battle, and celebrate four days of gaiety with a lot of bonhomie thrown around. This year was no different, as Civil War buffs had four days of absolute fun indulging or watching mock reenactments of the battle coupled with merry making and learning about history at the same time. Many couples even exchanged sacred vows in these four days, making this year’s festival more special to the people of Gettysburg and to themselves.

Also check out Wexford Pennsylvania – the Wexford PA website.

7 Campgrounds Near Gettysburg Pennsylvania

This may not be the best time of year for camping, but if camping is your thing then you’ll love Gettysburg Pennsylvania. The options for RV camping in this area are spectacular.

With so much to do in Gettysburg any time of year you’d think that people might want to stay in a cozy and warm hotel room near it all. Not necessarily. You can drive up an RV and park then get out and see the countryside. Rent a taxi or rely on the area’s public transportation. Yes, Adams County actually has a bus system!

Camping is fun anywhere. But it’s really fun here in Gettysburg and I’ve compiled a short list of campgrounds that you might consider the next time you vacation in this area:

• Artillery Ridge – If you’re a horse love then you’ll love Artillery Ridge. Many people come to Gettysburg and stop here just so they can go on a nice horseback ride. But you can also pitch a tent and take in the cool, clean mountain air. And it’s close enough to all the sites that you can walk to them. How cool is that?
• Drummer Boy Camping Resort – Just a stone’s throw from the historic battlefields and Gettysburg’s many attractions, this 95 acre camp resort is full of modern amenities for those who don’t want to go too deep into the woods. But the scenery is beautiful.
• Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA – KOA Kampgrounds are as American as Civil War nostalgia. This award-winning campground is a little further out, but it’s a real treat. Just three miles from Gettysburg, you can enjoy the wilderness and still be close enough to drive.
• Gettysburg Battlefield Resort – Located on Emmitsburg Road near where much of the actual shooting took place, this resort offers free camping, hiking, and many modern amenities, including Internet access. Privately owned an operated.
• Gettysburg Campground – At this campground you can pitch a tent or drive in with an RV. You can even bring your pet. Hosted by The Adams Family, no not that Addams Family, Gettysburg Campground is not too far from where all the action is. Don’t have a tent or an RV? No problem, rent a cottage.
• Granite Hill Campground – You can actually camp on ground where blood was spilled. Right here on Granite Hill. For the hard core enthusiast.
• Round Top Campground – Named after one of the most famous battles of the war. Opens in April and runs through September. Located just off Taneytown Road so you don’t have far to drive to see the battlefield.

Weekend Attraction: Strong Vincent and the Battle for Little Round Top

If you’re looking for something to do tomorrow afternoon in Gettysburg Pennsylvania, you should go see Commanders: Strong Vincent and the Battle for Little Round Top. This is an educational event that begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitors Center. It will be the best hour you’ll ever spend.

In case your Battle of Gettysburg history escapes you, here’s a little bit about Strong Vincent that you should know.

He was a lawyer who served in the U.S. Army during the Civil War and fought alongside Col. Joshua Chamberlain at Little Round Top. Chamberlain is the one who gets most of the glory for the victory at Little Round Top, but it was Vincent’s vision and ability to see an opportunity that put Chamberlain there. In fact, Chamberlain was subordinate as regiment commander to Vincent who was the commander over 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Chamberlain’s 20th Maine was a subordinate unit.

Vincent gave the order to Chamberlain to defend the left flank of Little Round Top while he went off to defend the right flank. During the course of the battle, Vincent was wounded and subsequently died from his wounds. Vincent was awarded for his bravery in the battle with a promotion but he died before he ever knew of it.

Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitors Center is located at 1195 Baltimore Pike in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Be sure to spend an hour there tomorrow afternoon and experience Strong Vincent and Little Round Top in a unique way.

Lincoln’s 200th Birthday Gift Is A Stunning Performance At The Majestic

Welcome to history. This year is historic in many ways. One of which is the 200th birthday of the president who signed The Emancipation Proclamation – Abraham Lincoln – which proclaimed the freedom of all the slaves living the confederate states of the U.S. That date, Lincoln’s 20th birtday, is February 12th.

On that day this year the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg will present The American Spiritual Ensemble, a performance from some of the most accomplished vocalists in the U.S. paying tribute to African-American musical achievements. The show will draw from disciplines and traditions of the black experience ranging from old-time spirituals, jazz, and even Broadway classics.

American Spiritual Ensemble got its start in 1995 by Everett McCorvey, who had a vision to keep the American negro spiritual tradition alive.

Performers will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. on February 12. Tickets start at $31 and can be purchased by calling 717-337-8200. The Majestic Theater is located at 25 Carlisle Street in Gettysburg Pennsylvania.

Could Gitmo Detainees Come To Gettysburg?

President Obama signed an executive order to close Guantanamo Bay within the next year. There has already been talk of sending at least some of the detainees held there to York County where federal prisoners have been housed for some time. This has many local residents concerned, including Adams County Congressional Representative Todd Platts, who has an office in Gettysburg.

Keep in mind that these are prisoners. They won’t be turned loose on the public and asked to dine at local restaurants or cozy up to tourists from Alabama. Of course, one of the concerns for local residents is always escaped prisoners. What if one of them gets loose?

If a foreign prisoner were to escape in York County and make his way to Gettysburg this summer or next while tourists from around the world are enjoying a walk or a ride around the nation’s most famous battlefield, I’m sure you’ll hear about it for a long time. If that prisoner is indeed a terrorist and performs an act of violence then the fallout for the Obama Administration will be even worse. But understand that these plans have not been finalized.

You may not agree with the closing of Guantanamo Bay, but that doesn’t spell doom and gloom for domestic security. Write your Congressional representatives and let them know how you feel about terror suspects being held in Adams or York County Pennsylvania. But, please, don’t panic.

Local Beer: Tour The Appalachian Brewing Company

One of the favorite attractions of visitors to the Gettysburg Pennsylvania area is the Appalachian Brewing Company. Located on Buford Avenue in Gettysburg, the restaurant and bar are an extension of the original brewing company located in Harrisburg. Still, the beer is great and the food is awesome.

The Gettysburg microbrewery doesn’t schedule tours, but you can stop in and take a “guided visit.” There is also an ABC in Camp Hill Pennsylvania just a short stretch up the road between Gettysburg and Harrisburg. However, if you really want to see a site then show up at the Harrisburg plant at 1 p.m. on Saturday for a schedule tour. Be early because many times they have more tourists than they can handle and you’ll have to wait a week.

The Harrisburg Appalachian Brewing Company is located at 50 N. Cameron St. in Harrisburg. For more information on touring the facility call 717-221-1080.

Lincoln Museum In Gettysburg Opens On 200th Birthday Of Former U.S. President

David Wills House in Gettysburg is being transformed into the Lincoln Museum and is set to open 200 years after its namesake, Abraham Lincoln, was born. That date is Feb. 12, 2009.

The project has cost $7.2 million and took an old run down house then reconstructed it from the ground up to be the Lincoln Museum. Lincoln slept in the house the night before giving his now famous Gettysburg Address. The David Wills house was built originally in 1818. The recent restoration project put it back in the condition that it was in in 1863. The museum will also house many of the original furnishings of the house. It is now owned by the National Park Service.

Local Businesses Are Targeted In ADA Lawsuits

Three local businesses are the target of an American With Disabilities Act lawsuit brought forward by a Maryland woman. Those businesses, according to an article in the Gettysburg Times, are Codori House of Gifts on Lincoln Square, Wentz Stained Glass Studio on York Street and The Spirited Ladies Shoppe on Chambersburg Street. The woman who filed the lawsuit is named Marilynn Phillips.

I’m not sure how long Ms. Phillips has been pursuing these businesses to get in compliance with the ADA, but it seems that she has had some success with some local businesses. Handicapped persons who find difficulty in accessing some of the historic places in Gettysburg should contact the appropriate agency to complain. The federal historic sites in Gettysburg seem to have no issue.

The problem for many businesses is that they have to meet certain city codes in order to modify their businesses. If those codes are a stumbling block to compliance for those businesses then Ms. Phillips, or others, may end up targeting the borough rather than go after the individual businesses. But before that happens Ms. Phillips and her attorney will have to navigate through the discovery phase of her lawsuits with the individual businesses. This is an issue I think that affects all of us, handicapped or not.

Gettysburg Pennsylvania Blog Gets A Facelift

Welcome to the Gettysburg Pennsylvania Blog. For eight months now we’ve been writing about things to do and places to see in and around Gettysburg Pennsylvania and within a day’s driving distance. But we decided it was time to get a new design. We hope you like it.

Please take the time to tell us what you think of this new design. Do you like it? Detest it? Prefer a different color? Your feedback is appreciated. You can leave your feedback in one of two ways:

1. Leave a comment here on this blog post
2. Use our contact form at Taylor and Associates

However you decide to leave your feedback, feel free to be honest. We value your opinions and ideas. And while you’re at it, we’d like to hear your story ideas. Is there anything in particular you’d like us to write about? Please let us know. And if you’re a visitor to Gettysburg Pennsylvania, welcome!

Gettysburg Traffic Gets Boost Due To Inauguration

President Barack Obama’s inauguration today has given the local economy a big boost. In fact, many people have found that the closest hotel they could find to Washington D.C., the location for today’s ceremony, is in Gettysburg. That’s good news to local hoteliers, other businesses, and the economy as a whole.

If you are staying in Gettysburg and drove down to the nation’s capital to see the inauguration of the nation’s first black president then we hope you stick around a few more days and see what else we have to offer besides a few hotels. Stop and see the battlefield while you’re in town. Better yet, take the two-hour tour.

You might also want to visit the Eisenhower Farm. And be sure to make your way to Hanover and see the walking tour of the Battle of Hanover in the town square. There’s plenty to do here. Stick around a couple of days and explore Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Find out what you’ll want to do no your next visit here.