Local Tourism Spotlight: Gettysburg 150th Anniversary

Battle of Gettysburg by Thure de Thulstrup

A monumental battle of the Civil War that transpired at Gettysburg is celebrating its 150th anniversary this week and with gusto!  Are you unfamiliar with the magnitude of the sacrifice that occurred at the site on July 1-3, 1863?  Then, please take some time to read this account of Battle at Gettysburg. 

Are you in town visiting Central Pennsylvania and interested in Civil War history?  Then you've come to our region at an optimal time.  This week and weekend is full of 150th anniversary-related events and activities.  We've collected a sampling of what you can do and see this week:

• 150th Anniversary Park Rangers Program - held daily July 1-4, 2013
• Guided Double Decker Bus Tours - held twice daily June 28 - July 7, 2013
• Independence Day Parade - July 3, 2013
• Gettysburg 150th National Civil War Battle Reenactment - July 4- 7, 2013
• Historic 1776 Dobbins House Tours - May 25 - November 24, 2013
• Civil War Heritage Foundation - July 5-7, 2013
• Civil War Era Brunch & Fashion Show - July 7, 2013

The town of Gettysburg and the National Park are not the only places available to visit 150th anniversary celebratory events.  The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA, the only museum in the country that tells the stories from both sides of the War, is also hosting a series of lectures and activities to commemorate the 150th.  Check out their calendar of events. 

For more on the 150th anniversary celebration visit the official website, and for a wide variety of attractions, restaurants and more in Gettysburg, visit the local convention & visitors bureau online.

If we might recommend an activity that we enjoy when visiting the battlefield?  Make a point to see the Cyclorama - you won't regret it!  

Share with us some of the great memories you've experienced when visiting Gettysburg Battlefield - we'd enjoy hearing about them!

Local Tourism Spotlight: National Civil War Museum

To continue our local tourism spotlight posts, today we share with you a recent visit that one of our marketing personnel, Cheryl W., enjoyed at the local Civil War museum.

The National Civil War Museum is the only museum in the United States portraying the entire story of the American Civil War.  Galleries offer equally balanced presentations without bias to the Union or the Confederate causes.            

                                          

Located on top of a hill overlooking the City of Harrisburg, the museum offers spectacular views of the city and the surrounding mountains.  A touching sculpture created by Terry Jones at the entrance of the museum entitled “Moment of Mercy” depicts the selfless act of courage by 19 year old Sergeant Richard Kirkland, a scene that could be found many times throughout the war.

                                                                                                         

Ascending the Grand staircase upon entrance, this self-guided tour begins on the second floor of the museum.  The American struggle is portrayed as a time line, focusing on the four actual years of the war.  The pre-War period includes a collection of artifacts reflecting the evolution of American Slavery.           

                                                          

The Creation of the Confederacy and the first shots fired upon Fort Sumter signal the beginning of the American Civil War.  The Making of the Confederate and Union Armies features uniforms, weapons and other items used by the Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry units as well as the Union Navy.                  

                                                                 

Pictures are on display of the military camp established in Harrisburg by Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtain.  Camp Curtain became one of the North’s most important training centers for volunteers and new recruits.  The camp also served as a supply depot and a center for the sick and wounded.  Governor Curtain is often referred to as “the greatest of the Northern war governors”.  During his term in office, Pennsylvania contributed 427,000 soldiers serving in the war.

Some of the battles depicted are:  Bull Run, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chancellorsville, Antietam and Gettysburg.  More than 3 million men served in the military during the four years of war; 700,000 died and nearly 400,000 were wounded.  War related deaths from 1861-1865 were greater than the total number of American deaths in all American wars.  Gettysburg was the single bloodiest battle ever in American history.  Out of 170,000 men, there were over 50,000 casualties.                                                                                       

Disease killed more soldiers than battlefield wounds, claiming over 96,000 lives. One in sixty five was killed in battle - One in thirteen died of disease.  Cleanliness and proper sanitation helped reduce sickness.  Various artifacts of personal hygiene can be seen including; soaps, toothpaste, shaving kits and mirrors.  A field hospital is also displayed featuring a surgery.  Surgical instruments, syringes, crutches and artificial limbs are showcased; but the most impressive item on display has to be the hospital wagon - believed to be the last surviving ambulance from the civil war era!                                               

The tour concludes with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington.  On display are newspapers, a picture of the funeral procession, a sash from the funeral train and even a piece of the dress Mary Todd Lincoln was wearing that fateful night.  Less than a year later, slavery was abolished by approval of the 13^th Amendment to the Constitution.


Have you enjoyed a visit to the National Civil War Museum?  What are your favorite exhibits at the museum?  If you've not been there, are you planning a visit now that you've read this post?

9 "Must See" Attractions in South Central PA

When inviting a friend or family member to any city for the first time, the top priority on the "to do" list is always siteseeing. Surely you will want to highlight the best places to visit in the area.  Thanks to recommendations from our Facebook fans, we have compiled a travel checklist for first time visitors to South Central Pennsylvania.  These recommendations are based upon their personal experiences and favorites!  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Hershey
The Sweetest Place on Earth
http://www.hersheypa.com/
Hershey, PA, home of Milton Hershey’s first chocolate factory, is a place for the whole family to visit and enjoy. The most popular attraction is Hershey Park with over 65 rides, a water park and live shows. Next to the park is Hershey’s Chocolate World where you can ride Hershey’s Great American Chocolate Tour Ride, which shows passengers how Hershey’s chocolate is created. At the end of the ride each guest receives a free complimentary candy bar. Lastly, ZooAmerica, which is free when entering from Hershey Park, is a North American animal Wildlife Park that includes fun and educational activities everyday.

Gettysburg
Largest battle of the Civil War
http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/
Visit the Gettysburg museum and visitors center to learn about the battle via videos, cyclorama, and educational activities. Also, there are bus and car licensed battlefield tours available to view close to 1400 monuments that expand across the 6000 acre battlefield where you can learn the role this battle played in our nation’s history.

Knoebels
Amusement Park and Campground in Elysburg
http://www.knoebels.com/family-vacation.asp
Located in Elysburg, Knoebles is the perfect place to bring the whole family! Knoebels turns your amusement park experience into a family vacation by conveniently allowing park visitors to stay at the park campground where there are cabins and camper parking available. Experience the thrill of the roller coasters or the calming carousel during the day, and then relax by the campfire at night.

City Island
Harrisburg, PA
http://www.harrisburgevents.com/Common/City_Island.html
Known as the midriver heart of the cities’ waterfront, City Island is a place for family and friends! Whether you are spending it at the batting cages, playing mini golf, or staying in the beach house, there is plenty to do on the island. The Skyline Sports Complex is a multi-purpose field for semi-pro soccer and football. Also, you can catch a baseball game at City Island, home to the Commerce Bank Park where the Harrisburg Senators play. You can tour the island by carriage or their scaled-version of the Civil War-era steam train.

Capitol Building Tour
Harrisburg, PA
http://www.pacapitol.com/Main.html
This priceless architectural treasure, being the Capitol Building in Harrisburg, is an icon of democracy and freedom, and a symbol of history and power. The five-story building incorporates various Renaissance designs in some of its largest rooms, and reflects Greek, Roman, and Victorian influences. Throughout the building artists have blended the various styles with motifs featuring Pennsylvania’s achievements in labor, industry and history. In addition to visiting the welcome center, you can take a 30 minute guided tour of “the handsomest building” that President Theodore Roosevelt ever saw.

National Christmas Center
Lancaster, PA
http://www.nationalchristmascenter.com/
Experience the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child at the museum of the National Christmas Center in Lancaster, PA. There are fifteen main galleries that include exhibits of the first Christmas and Santa’s workshop in the North Pole. Also view an exhibit of a global village’s folk art, customs, and unique gift-giving around the world. Open to the public May through the holiday season, you can discover different Christmas traditions from around the world in one convenient location!

Amish Country
Lancaster, PA
http://www.padutchcountry.com/activities/amish-activities.asp
Visit America’s oldest Amish settlement in Lancaster, PA where you can take a step into and enjoy the peaceful way of life. Take a tour of the Pennsylvania countryside by horse and buggy if you choose, shop for hand-made Amish arts and crafts, and enjoy the authentic Dutch cooking. You can even tour the Lancaster Quilt and Textile museum or the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum to understand the German heritage of the region.

National Watch & Clock Museum Lancaster, PA
http://www.nawcc.org/index.php/museumlibrary
With a collection of over 5,000 items, the National Watch and Clock Museum takes you on a chronological tour through the entire history of time keeping technology from nonmechanical devices to radio-controlled clocks today. The largest collection is the 19th Century American clocks and watches, but the whole museum includes international pieces with a wide variety of clocks, watches and tools. Other collections include early English tallcase clocks, timepieces from Japan and China, and devices from German, France, the Netherlands and Russia.

Getting Outdoors
Hiking and canoeing
http://www.outerquest.com/results.cfm/id/2940
http://www.pahikes.com/
If you are the outdoorsy type or simply want to experience the wonderful nature views of central Pennsylvania you can do this by hiking, canoeing, or kayaking. Outerquest.com offers canoeing and kayaking trips along the beautiful Susquehanna River. Each group will be lead by a trained tour guide and there is absolutely no experience necessary. And, PAHikes.com, features a list of all of the nature trails in Central Pennsylvania and reviews by hikers who are familiar with the trails. Visit these sites for more information in order to get outside and have some fun!

Come Visit!
No matter what your siteseeing interests are, South Central PA has the place for you. Whether you want the joys of an amusement park, the relaxation that comes with visiting Dutch Country or the knowledge of historic battlefields of the Civil War you will find it here! If you have a family member or friend visiting for the first time or if you are planning a family vacation, these attractions and sites are affordable and fun for all. There attractions are only a short list of all the exciting places to visit. Get started planning now, there are great experiences awaiting you in the region surrounding Harrisburg International Airport!