Is there a reason you should get to Gettysburg? You would agree that when history is explained and presented well, history is present and alive, not stagnant.
This experience led to learning aspects leading up to this particular battlefield that took place in Pennsylvania. The challenges of this battle and what led to one side’s victory and another’s defeat. The cost of human life and changes after the battle, medical, regiments, etc.
It was a summer day when it began, July 1st – July 3rd. This was at the midway point of the Civil War which began in 1861.
There are programs throughout the day led by Park Rangers. The site and museum are free. Yet, I recommend a tour guide if you’re interested in a deeper dive into the range of aspects involved in this battle. The fee for a two-hour licensed battlefield guide is worth it. The guide deconstructed the challenges of the landscape with its hills. The maps and his knowledge of the battle and people provided visualization and some understanding as to how more than 50,000 were killed in the span of a few days.
The simplistic view of the Civil War was that it was just North versus South. Worse is the idealized view that it was “good versus bad”.
It was a reminder of the cost of human life. At this time, millions were still enslaved throughout much of the United States. Some enlisted soldiers were not there because they believed in “the cause”. Whether that was to free enslaved people or maintain the system.
Sometimes, wealthy people paid to have poor people fight and yes die on their behalf. The battles in the Civil War would lead to many of my ancestors becoming free. Free from the brutal slavery system that is unique to the U.S.
I have ancestors who fought in the Civil War. Some were in the Colored Regiment and some in the Confederacy. History can be interesting as well as nuanced and strange. It is easier to make judgments when removed from being in the midst of the situations that occur.
The site is large, over 5,700 acres. Although I was there for a full weekend, I did not get to see everything. There is the museum which includes the Battles of Gettysburg Cyclorama. Created in 1884 by French artist Paul Philip it depicts Picketts’s Charge which took place on the third day of battle. If you plan out the places, programs, and what in particular interests you, you can definitely accomplish a full visit in one weekend.
I wanted to write on my Gettysburg visit for a while, I recently felt particularly compelled to post it this Memorial Day. There are those who died in service to this country. There are also those who died in unwilling service to this country—more on that in another future post.
After this visit, I mentioned to some people I had visited Gettysburg. Excited to share things I had learned. Some said, “Why?” as in what in the world would compel visiting such a place. An understandable question. Yet, it was the bashing of America that followed.
Well, this showed a level of disconnect to the ever-evolving country of these lands called the U.S. A disconnect that human beings died not only in battle but in building and being pushed aside to maintain this country. The surrounding events and issues at the time play a role in succeeding events. It even plays a role today. Because history is present. So, yeah, I admittedly was ticked off.
I intend to provide more context and historical information surrounding Gettysburg. More of what was learned during this visit and what you too might get from visiting. Yet, for now, I hope this provided some interesting insights.
The National Park Service manages 433 sites. These include parks, trails, preserves, historic sites, battlefields, memorials, and more. If you like history or even want a better understanding of the U.S. at its present, I recommend visiting these battlefields. Pick which interests you.
What historical sites have you visited? Whether it’s in or outside the U.S., what are some aspects that struck you? I’d love to know, please share in the comments below.
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