Thursday, September 14, 2017

AROUND THE TOWN OF GETTYSBURG

Thursday, August 24 – We started our last day in Gettysburg, PA, by visiting the Gettysburg Diorama.  The Gettysburg Diorama shows  the entire 6,000-acre battlefield at one time. With over 20,000 hand painted soldiers, horses, cannons and buildings, the diorama includes a thirty-minute light and sound show. We received two free tickets to the Diorama by spending two or more days at the Artillery Ridge Campground.

Gettysburg Diorama

This is a pretty well-done explanation of the Battle of Gettysburg and would be a good introduction to any visitor to the area. Paul thought we should have done this the first day instead of our last day. Marsha says that after doing all the ranger walks and driving the battle field, she clearly understood the Diorama and those that spoke in the Spirits of Gettysburg. It is your choice.

The Diorama is a pretty nice setup with an excellent audio description of the 3-day battle accompanied with spotlights showing the area being described.  Cannons light up when fired, the town lights up at night, and you can see the campfires of the soldiers. We recommend this diorama if you visit the area.

Gettysburg Diorama

Devil’s Den
Gettysburg Diorama

Gettysburg Diorama

The last battle.
Gettysburg Diorama

We also received a fee tickets to the Spirits of Gettysburg which is located in the basement of the Diorama.  From the website: The Spirit of Gettysburg brings to life the three days that changed the course of the civil war.  An interactive animatronic historic adventure. Not a haunted attraction or ghost tour.​ This is not nearly as well done as the Diorama, and we're glad it was free.  It is made up of a series of approximately ten rooms where the visitors move from room to room to watch what is betrayed as spirits from the Gettysburg battle describing events of the war.  Interesting, but it's pretty difficult to enjoy if you don't believe in ghosts...LOL.

Jenny Wade moments before her death. Only civilian to be killed at Gettysburg
Spirits of Gettysburg

President Lincoln as he relates his worry and concern for the momentous battle taking place in Gettysburg.
Spirits of Gettysburg

Generals Longstreet, Pickett and Armistead discuss what will take place on July  3, 1863.
Spirits of Gettysburg

When this cannon went off, we about jumped out of our shoes.
Spirits of Gettysburg

Look at the soldier holding the rifle. Who does he look like to you? (Answer below)
DSC09083

Yes, that is right….resemblance of President Richard Nixon. Here is the rest of the story….The figures used in the Spirits of Gettysburg were rescued from the now-defunct American Civil War Wax Museum, and other businesses, including the Hall of The Presidents. The figure that looks like President Nixon actually was Richard M. Nixon. He was rescued from the Hall of The Presidents. Nixon's grandfather was killed here at the Battle of Gettysburg. So this soldier represents Grandpa Nixon.

We then spent a couple hours in the historic part of downtown Gettysburg.  It is a cute small town.

This church served as a Civil War hospital.
Gettysburg

Another church that served as a hospital.
Gettysburg

Gettysburg

We searched out a building with a cannon ball still stuck in the brickwork.

Gettysburg

We saw the Willis House where Abraham Lincoln stayed the night before giving the Gettysburg Address. 

Gettysburg

There is a statue of Abe with a very young Bing Crosby. He is pointing his hat up to the room where he finished the Gettysburg Address.

Gettysburg

Gettysburg

We stopped in a few shops, one specializing in carved and painted gourds which just might be Marsha's next hobby craft.  Guess Paul will have to throw-out his tools and the generator to be able to haul gourds all over the country...ha ha!

Aren’t these just adorable….Marsha’s words not Paul’s.
Gettysburg

Gettysburg

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

8 comments:

  1. It's been many years since we visited Gettysburg. As usual, it looks like you got the full experience.
    I agree, those gourds are adorable!

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  2. Another interesting day there at Gettysburg . thanks for giving us the full tour.

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  3. Been following quietly but have truly enjoyed this lesson in History that was only briefly covered during my education.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  4. Great tour.
    We all need more hobbies...lol

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  5. You sure made the most of your time there. The gourd s are 👍 great.

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  6. You have made a thorough study and experience at Gettysburg. The diorama is good both ways...seeing it first and also after touring the battlefield. We just left the Battle of Vicksburg and we both thought we would have liked to have seen the diorama after we saw the battlefield instead of before. Glad you enjoyed your time there.

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  7. The Diorama reminds me of the Electric Map that use to be in the old VC. It showed the entire battlefield and lit up in part as the story of the three days was told. It was the first time I could really understand what happened. Interesting how they reused Nixon!!

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  8. I remember how much we enjoyed our time in Gettysburg, especially since we had private tour guides in John and Pam. We now have a gourd class at Jojoba Hills and I hope to participate it in this year. Some of the results I've seen have been phenomenal. Glad to be able to catch up with the two of you again. LuAnn

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