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Top 10 Astonishing Facts About Gettysburg National Military Park

The Gettysburg National Military Park is a historical site in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, opened to conserve and interpret the topography of the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place in 1863 during the American Civil War. The Gettysburg battle was one of the bloodiest battles ever witnessed in America’s civil war that is also known as the high watermark of the rebellion.

Therefore, the Gettysburg National Military Park was created to commemorate the Union’s victory over General Lee’s attempt to invade the North and the lives of those soldiers who fought in the battle. The National Park Service manages it.

1. The park does not charge an entrance fee

Tourists who wish to experience the rich history of Gettysburg National Military Park can go to the park free of charge as there is no entrance fee, and the roads are open for touring with private cars. The tourists can do a self-guided tour of the historic area by picking up Gettysburg brochures. The brochures offer a brief history of the historical site and a map that the tourist can use to explore the site. Audiotape tours are also available to help the tourists get about in the park.

However, to ensure a holistic experience, the tourists can hire a guide as the park has a battlefield guide service. The guides provide services to the tourists in the comfort of their own cars and thus making the experience more interesting.

2. The park sits on 5989 acres of land.

The large tract of land allows historians and naturalists to interact and learn more about the components that were associated with the civil war. The historical site comprises of forested knolls, pastoral lands, and wetlands.

Pastures and crops are planted in more than 2300 acres of Gettysburg National Military Park. The forest takes up another 1600 acres, and 148 acres have palustrine wetlands. The historical components of the military park are interwoven into the existing natural resources and thus make for a stimulating academic experience.

3. The historic site has several scenic sites and historical landmarks.

Gettysburg National Military Park features different historical landmarks like the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Vision Centre. The museum contains the original artifacts and books of all ages, making it an informative experience.

Jennie wade’s house is also one of the historical landmarks in that Jennie was the only civilian killed during the Gettysburg Battle. It portrays the domestic life during the civil war.

The scenic vistas like East Cemetery Hill, Big Round Top, Culp’s Hill, and Little Round Top give the tourist a chance to appreciate the landscape of the area from a high point.

4. The park allows camping

Unlike most parks that do not allow camping on the grounds, Gettysburg National Military Park allows camping and even has camping grounds set aside for youth groups and scouts who wish to experience outdoor life. The camping grounds are equipped with portable toilets, a pavilion, and water faucets. The historic site also has ten camping sites that can accommodate a large group of youths and scouts.

5.  A film about the Gettysburg Battle is shown every 30 minutes throughout the day.

The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum shows a 22-minute film known as A New Birth of Freedom, narrated by Morgan Freeman. The film revisits the events of the battle and the impact it had on the nation’s history. Tourists are able to acquire in-depth knowledge of the historic site before they venture out to explore the land and therefore make the experience wholesome.

6. The historic site is home to 187 species of birds.

The large variety of bird species makes the historic site an ideal location for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Birds found in the historic site are like northern bobwhite, short-eared owl, wild turkey, American robin, and the endangered loggerhead shrike. The species of birds migrate to the site because of its natural ecosystem, which includes grasslands, meadows, pasture lands, and hayfields.

The ecosystem is critical in protecting endangered bird species as they can stay in the park’s grassland without being preyed on.

7. Gettysburg National Military Park has civil era graffiti

The McPherson barn in the historical site contains markings made by soldiers who were fighting the Gettysburg Battle. The veterans came back and carved their names on the stones on the first floor in 1863. The graffiti makes the civil war era more relatable as a tourist can see that the people who fought the battles were normal people like them.

The graffiti authenticates the events that happened in history, which makes the historical exploration more fulfilling.

8. There is a cannon named Cora

Inside Gettysburg National Military Park by Trostle Farm, there is a canon with the name Cora inscribed in it. The soldiers fighting the Gettysburg Battle named their cannons after their wives, who were left alone at home because of the war. This piece of history shows how the soldiers were dedicated to their families in that even though they were out in battle, they still remembered them.

9. The park has a monument of a named Sally

The historic site contains a monument of a pit bull terrier named Sally who was who was a mascot throughout the civil war for the 11^th Pennsylvania, along with other historical monuments. It is reported that Sally was on the frontline during the Gettysburg Battle, and she barked furiously at the opposing confederate soldiers.

The monument was put up to commemorate the dog and appreciate the loyalty of the soldiers to their country, just like a dog is loyal.

10. There is a Gettysburg Foundation

The Gettysburg National Military Park has a foundation that works with the national park service to ensure the preservation of the park. The program does fundraising and organizes volunteer opportunities for the park to allow park preservation and the spread of history through educational missions.