Instructor

Website

Built by local business owner Henry Scharf and located near the historic Gettysburg Hotel, the Majestic Theater opened in 1925. The theater seated 1,200 patrons and was a favorite location of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower when they lived in Gettysburg. The theater was restored to its 1920s beauty thanks to the efforts of preservationists who secured over $16 million for restoration efforts and completed their work in 2005. 

Majestic Theater

Featuring sites along Pennsylvania's Lincoln Highway in Adams County, PA

Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Driving - Adams County

Caledonia State Forest, one of Pennsylvania's beautiful forests, has a rich and detailed history. The forest's name can be traced back to a nineteenth century iron furnace built by Thaddeus Stevens. Born in Caledonia County, Vermont, in 1792, Thaddeus Stevens grew to be a successful lawyer and entrepreneur. During the Civil War, Stevens was a persistent abolitionist fighting for the rights of enslaved African Americans. Before Stevens entered politics, former President James Buchanan persuaded him to become a politician. However, Stevens refused to until he found a suitable political party for his beliefs and ethics. As an entrepreneur, he built an iron furnace in Pennsylvania and called it Caledonia after his birthplace. The Caledonia Iron Forge lasted until 1863, when it was destroyed by Confederate soldiers in order to slow the Union’s industrial progress and the abolition process. The night before the infamous Battle of Gettysburg, General Jubal Early decided to have the iron furnace destroyed, thus ordering his men to do so. During the battle, the large spaces of land around the destroyed iron furnace were utilized as field hospitals, where doctors and nurses administered medicine to those who suffered injuries while fighting.After the Civil War finally ended, the furnace was rebuilt and in operation until the land was sold to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1902. The Chambersburg and Gettysburg Trolley Company then bought the land, adding amusement park rides for entertainment to Battlefield tourists. In fact, the Trolley Company became a huge tourist destination for those visiting the Battlegrounds of Gettysburg. Later in 1922, a golf course was added but has since then been removed. The Civilian Conservation Corps hired many unemployed men to build facilities and roads which are still used today at Caledonia State Park.Caledonia State Park, which stands in replacement of Caledonia Iron Forge, is located on the Lincoln Highway between Chambersburg and Gettysburg. This park is made up of 1,125 acres and resides in the South Mountain of the Blue Ridge Mountain. The state park is always open, though facilities close at dusk. Here, there are many activities for people of all ages. One example is the Totem Pole Playhouse, a theater that holds productions for children. Another is the park’s unique Sunday School, which was founded by two families vacationing at the park who wanted their kids to be able to attend church. Each year in July, an arts and crafts festival is held and individual artists are able to display their work. Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, and hunting are all activities available to campers. This special area off the Lincoln Highway offers many opportunities to connect with nature, religion, art, and history, for people of all ages.

Caledonia State Park is located in between Chambersburg and Gettysburg in Central Pennsylvania. After Thaddeus Stevens built an iron furnace on the land, it was destroyed by the Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Then, the Chambersburg and Gettysburg Trolley Company bought the land that is now known as Caledonia State Park from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Since then, men of the Civilian Conservation Corps built roads on the land that are still used today. The forested park offers many activities; camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming are only a few to name. The park offers events for children and adults, such as a theater and an annual craft festival. 

Caledonia State Park

The North American French and Indian War, known as the Seven Years' War in Europe, pitted the French and their Indian allies against the British. This was a global power struggle with severe local implications. Particularly vulnerable were the frontier families that settled in the hinterland, far from the aid of British military forces. Raids such as this one were commonplace as the opposing sides struggled for dominance in areas where farms were dispersed and terrain difficult to defend without substantial organized military forces.Mary Jemison's family and her neighbors comprised a group of Scots-Irish settlers who were making a living by clearing and farming this land. This was the frontier at the time and was generally beyond the limits recognized as British territory. This exposed settlers to harassment by the French and their Indian allies.According to Mary, who was twelve years old at the time of her abduction, the raiding party "consisted of six Indians and four Frenchmen." The raiding party pillaged the nearby settlements, killed a settler, and then forced the abductees to accompany them as they quickly traveled west into the deep woods. Over the next twenty-four hours the group traveled west toward the swampland of the Conococheague Creek, north of Fort Loudon, suffering from hunger, thirst, and exposure.The account of Mary Jemision's abduction and subsequent life among the American Indians is documented in the book "A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison," in which Mary narrates the story of her life to author James Seaver in 1823. At that tie, she was approximately 82 years old. The incredible story recounts her life among the native population and provides the reader with a unique look at the native culture from someone immersed in it throughout colonial and post-revolutionary Pennsylvania and New York.

This historical marker was dedicated in 1947 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and recognizes an event in 1758 during the French and Indian War when a raiding party of French soldiers and Shawnee Indians kidnapped twelve-year-old Mary Jemison. The raiders also captured her family members and other neighboring British settlers a short distance from this place. Mary Jemison was adopted into their culture and spent her entire life living among the Indians, and her story captivated many for the next two centuries.

Kidnapping Site of Mary Jemison Historical Marker 

Most truly round barns in the US were built
between 1889 and 1936. Many of those barns are not standing today. Round barns
started as octagons and&nbsp;eventually they moved to be polygons. Finally,
round barns came to be. The idea of round barns was first introduced by Orson Fowler in 1848 in&nbsp;A Home For All: Of the Gravel Wall and Octagon Mode of Building.&nbsp;The book contained his thoughts on the use of different shapes of barns. It was an old belief of farmers that the round barns would also keep the devil from hiding in corners, or cornering the farmers themselves. Eventually farmers saw even more value in building round barns.6Many round barns are now listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Even though truly round barns weren’t popular
until the 1900’s, the first one was built in 1826 in Hancock Shaker Village, Massachusetts.
The main reason round barns became so popular was to increase efficiency in progressive
farming methods. Most round barns were cheaper to build than traditional square
barns. In addition, the structural stability of a round barn is better than that of a square
barn. Some round barns even had a silo constructed in the center, not only to
hold feed, but to provide a labor-saving element to the structure. Animals were
often housed on the bottom floor while other supplies were kept on the second
floor. Animals commonly kept in these barns were horses, cows, pigs, and goats. The stalls for the animals lined the perimeter of the first floor to save space in the barn.6

The round
barn in Biglerville, Pennsylvania was completed in November of 1914.
Biglerville is located just outside Gettysburg. The barn was built by the Noah
Sheely family after their conventional barn was lost in a fire. Noah’s son,
Daniel, had seen a round barn in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He then convinced his family&nbsp;that
a round barn was best suited for them at that time. Morris Rhodes was hired as
their architect for the new barn. The silo was built first and the barn was
built surrounding it. The silo stands 60 feet high and 12 feet wide.&nbsp;Hundreds of people from around the small town gathered to
see the new barn being built. 250 barrels of cement were used for the first
floor. The wood used for the barn was all from multiple different kinds of
trees from the farm’s land. The barn is 282 feet around and the diameter of the
barn is close to 90 feet. The barn originally had 50 stalls for cattle and 16 stalls
for mules or horses.2

Barns built
around this time period are often not properly taken care of, therefore there
aren’t many round barns left. Maintenance of these structures needs to be taken
seriously in order to keep the structures standing. The main cause of these
buildings deteriorating is actually moisture. Old barns should be regularly
checked for roof leaks, broken windows, and anywhere else water may be able to
get into. Bugs are also a huge problem for these old barns. Termites, carpenter
ants, and beetles all ruin the structures. Checking for insects regularly and
taking steps to prevent infestation is a must. Precautions should be taken to
prevent these two things from destroying historic barns.5

Now the barn houses a farmer’s market
where the produce grown on the farm is sold. Peaches, apples, and other fruits
and veggies are all grown and sold on the property. The barn can also be rented
out as a unique wedding or event venue.2 Because of the barn’s age, and the fact
that it is still in use, many conservation efforts have to be applied in order
to make sure the barn stays in good condition to function as a farmer’s market
and a wedding venue. Windows, roofing, and siding have been replaced to avoid
water damage. Regular inspection is done to ensure that water is in fact staying outside of the barn.&nbsp;Insects are also checked and sprayed for regularly to avoid the
barn from decaying any farther.

As impactful as agriculture is and
has been to the growth of the entire state, preserving any barns around the
state helps to show the deep seeded roots Pennsylvania has in agriculture. Keeping
the history of the area alive is going to help future generations to appreciate
and learn from the past. Also being able to buy fruits and vegetables from a
reputable facility that’s been growing crops since 1914 gives most people a
nice peace of mind knowing that their produce is going to be fresh and top quality.
Having the barn double as a wedding venue also helps new families to have a
great experience on such an important day.

The round barn in Biglerville, Pennsylvania is one of the only round barns left in the country. At the time, these barns were the most effective because of the unique shape and structure. This barn that was finished in 1914, is just a small snapshot of the rich agricultural history Pennsylvania has. The barn was built by the Sheely family after their previous barn was lost in a fire. They landed on this design after son, Daniel, saw a similar barn in Hersey, Pennsylvania. The barn now hosts events, a farmer’s market, and weddings.

Sheely's Round Barn

Although it is most famous for it's role during the Civil War, the history of Cashtown
Inn begins over 50 years before. It was built around 1797 by Peter
Marck. Marck was known for demanding cash for not only the Inn, but the tollgate
that was located just east of the Inn. Because of this, the town and the Inn
became known as ‘Cashtown.’1 It has been used as a functioning Inn since 1815. 

Years later, the Civil War came to
Cashtown. In June of 1863 the Confederate forces had entered Pennsylvania and
were pushing north. The Union Army came to meet them, and Lee ordered his
troops to concentrate near Cashtown, although their final destination would be
the nearby town of Gettysburg. On June 29th, the men of Lt Gen. A.P.
Hill’s Third Corps passed by Cashtown Inn. The Innkeeper at the time, Jacob
Mickley, wrote that it appeared as if “the entire force under Lee… passed
within twenty feet of my barroom.” The Inn also served as headquarters for the
unwelcome guests. General A.P. Hill was suffering from a chronic ailment as he
approached Gettysburg, so he decided to establish his headquarters in the
comfortable Inn, joined by Generals Henry Heth and John D. Imboden. All of Cashtown
became an army camp during the days of the Battle of Gettysburg, and Cashtown
Inn would have been bustling with activities as the events of the days
unfolded. The stable next to the Inn, along with many of the houses nearby,
housed many of the Confederate wounded. The plethora of carts, cannons, wagons,
and carriages of Lees’ reserves were parked all through the town, including the
orchard of Cashtown Inn. On the 4th of July, Lee’s troops retreated
south, and Brigadier General John Imboden led the troops from Cashtown toward
Chambersburg.&nbsp;2&nbsp; When they left, the Confederate Army took whisky, brandy, a wagon, firewood, shingles,
chickens, hay, and destroyed many of Mickley's fields and orchard trees. After the
war ended, he claimed over $2,000 in damages, sold the Inn, and moved
West.3

In the
decades following the Civil War, Cashtown Inn suffered a decline in business, especially when the by-pass was created, cutting traffic on the Lincoln
Highway. The owners considered consolidating it into low-income apartments.
Charles and Carolyn Buckely came to own the property and decided to preserve
the site because of it's historical significance. Since 2006, owners Jack and Maria Paladino have undertaken major
structural renovations on the first floor. It currently functions as a Bed and
Breakfast attached to a Dining Restaurant and Tavern. The original Tavern Room
is the main dining room, and each room of the Inn is named after a Civil War
General.4&nbsp;The
Inn has received some renown for its appearance in the film “Gettysburg.” Because
much of the Confederate Army passed by the Inn on their way to Gettysburg, the
movie shows the character General Lee watches his army march in front of the
Inn. The owners at the time, Charles and Carolyn Buckley were featured as the
innkeepers. The Inn is one of the few original buildings to be used in the film
because most buildings have been renovated, destroyed, or updated. Many of the
actors and directors ate at the Inn, and Sam Elliot stayed there for the three weeks of filming in Gettysburg.5 The Inn is also reputed to be haunted by ghosts from the Civil War. It is a
popular site for prospective ghost-hunters hoping to see something paranormal. Supposedly,
doors open, close, lock, unlock themselves. Guests hear a knock on the door
when no one is there, and phantom horses stamp their hooves outside.6 The Inn is featured in a season 4 episode of “Ghost Hunters,” where paranormal
investigators stay in the Inn to try to discover the extent of supernatural
activity.&nbsp; Since the early 19th century Cashtown Inn has been a place for travelers to rest, and since the Civil War it has attracted history enthusiasts as well. Because of its role in the Battle of Gettysburg, the Cashtown Inn has stayed preserved and popular until today. <div>

</div>

Cashtown Inn is a historic inn that has been housing travelers since the early 19th century.  During the Civil War that devastated the country from 1860-1865, Cashtown Inn played a role in the Battle of Gettysburg. Because Cashtown Inn was involved in the troop movement and before, during, and after the battle of Gettysburg, its historical relevance has kept it preserved and popular until today. The preserved architecture allowed Cashtown Inn to be featured in the movie Gettysburg, and several actors stayed in the Inn during filming. Visitors stop to experience the history of the area, the relaxing Tavern and Bed and Breakfast, and possibly a paranormal encounter.

Cashtown Inn

Seeking to force Lincoln into considering a negotiated peace on Confederate terms, General Robert E. Lee moved his forces out of Virginia and into Pennsylvania in late June, 1863. Lee's invading army was pursued by Major General George Meade who was appointed to replace General Joe Hooker that same month. The two forces collided in Gettysburg on July 1st and the Confederate forces secured a position on Cemetery Hill. Seminary Ridge ran perpendicular to the Union stronghold and the building Schmucker had constructed forty years earlier was captured by Confederate soldiers during the early stages of the battle and provided cover and a lookout for Confederate forces as the war raged until Confederate forces withdrew.Samuel Simon Schmucker, the son of a Lutheran pastor and a devote Lutheran, established the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg in 1826 and served as its president. A firm believer in the education of both women and more liberal towards the education of people of color than most whites in the antebellum era, Schmucker founded several girls’ schools and admitted the seminary’s first Black student in 1837. When the war came to his doorstep, many people used the school to take shelter from the fighting and Schmucker’s personal offices in the building were ransacked by Confederate soldiers upon its capture.The main building became a useful tool for the Confederate forces during the battle. Prior to the Confederate army taking control of the structure, U.S. Army Brigadier General John Buford and Lieutenant Aaron Jerome, an officer with the Signal Corps, hoped to use the Schmucker Building as a base of operations where they could view movement of troops. After being captured by Confederates, officers for the South made the informed decisions that helped to lead to a significant setback for the Union forces on July 1st. While in the shadow of Seminary Ridge, Lee chose to continue the fight beyond that first day. However, by July 3rd and following Pickett’s unsuccessful charge across the battlefield, the Union was able to reclaim Seminary Ridge and the Schmucker Building. After the battle, the building became a hospital which housed and treated hundreds of soldiers from both sides of the conflict until mid-September.When Schmucker was able to finally return, he along with several others began the process of buying the land where the battle took place in hopes of preserving the site of the battle. This land later became what was known as Battlefield Park and this museum preserves the history of the effort to preserve the battlefield and the former seminary in addition to the battle itself. The museum offers interactive programs and also shares what life was like for civilians and soldiers in the Civil War.

Gettysburg's Seminary Ridge Museum was founded to interpret and share the history of Seminary Ridge and its role within the Battle of Gettysburg, one of the major turning points of the Civil War. Museum professionals restore artifacts and offer exhibits that share the history of this place within the larger history of the American Civil War. The museum is located in a building constructed in 1826 by Samuel Simon Schmucker and the name of the ridge is related to this area's use as the first seminary in the area. This building was held by Union forces headquarters at the start and end of the battle, and was the site of a massive military hospital in the months that followed the battle. U. S. Army Brigadier General John Buford used the domed cupola atop the building to view the battlefield during the first day of the battle. The museum opened in 2013, the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum

The location
of the Gettysburg Heritage Center opened its doors on April 19, 1962. At that
time the center was called The National Civil War Wax Museum. The museum
contained more than 35 scenes and over 300 life size wax figures. The goal of
the museum was and still is to provide guests with an understanding of the
causes and consequences of the Civil War. 

The complex around
the center continues to undergo improvements. In 2000 the area adjacent to the
center was developed into “Veteran’s Park.” In 2001 the Battle Room inside the
center was updated to include a digitally enhanced audiovisual presentation.
The center prides itself on being one of the only attractions to depict events
of the entire Civil War as well as the Battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln’s
Gettysburg Address. 

The center
also specializes in gifts, collectibles, art, books, apparel and home décor.
Many of the items they have for sale are exclusive to the Gettysburg Heritage
Center. They also take pride in offering quality merchandise at a reasonable
price.

Gettysburg Heritage Center borders the Gettysburg National Military Park battlefield and provides guests with an interactive understanding of what the town was like before, during and after the battles that took place in and around Gettysburg. The center has artifacts, historical documents, interactive displays, and 3-D productions. You can also hear accounts of ordinary people doing extraordinary things during a time of chaos. 

Gettysburg Heritage Center

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Dwight Eisenhower, nicknamed Ike, was a former General and President of the United States. &nbsp;He served as the supreme commander of the Allied powers in World War II. &nbsp;After the war, he returned home to later become president. &nbsp;One of his greatest accomplishments was the establishment of the interstate highway. &nbsp;As you all know, the President lives in the White House, but the home served as a meeting place as well as their home after he left the presidency. &nbsp;He donated his house to the National Park Service, along with the surrounding land, with the stipulation they got to live in the house for the rest of their life. &nbsp;Eisenhower died two years later, leaving Mamie a widow. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The house is visited by people from around the world. &nbsp;It serves as a tourist attraction in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. &nbsp;It serves as a educational trip that tells about the life of Eisenhower and his military history. &nbsp;The site, as of today, has over 40,000 artifacts relating to Eisenhower and his family, such as: furniture, quotes, and letters. &nbsp;Some of the sights you can see at the museum are the plants that were planted in the garden, furniture that has been there for over 50 years, and his medals and awards throughout his military career. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;When visiting the house, the only way it can be reach is by shuttle bus. &nbsp;A shuttle bus that runs every thirty minutes picks you up a centralized location at the park and takes the tourists to the house. &nbsp;Upon arrival, tourists can walk inside or view the outside area surrounding the house. &nbsp;When entering the house, the furniture and walls have been restored and are only viewable, so they do not become damaged. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The park admittance fees are relatively cheap for the items that are viewable. &nbsp;The price for a child is $5.00, while an adult ticket will run $7.50. &nbsp;The park does not accept any form to allow free entrance. &nbsp;While there, you can go on a self-guided tour, view a live skeet range, a video of the men serving under "Ike"&nbsp;with the presentation up close look of weapons and uniforms used during the D-Day invasion, and for the children, they can participate in a Junior Secret Agent Program. &nbsp;The program allows a child to be presented a manual with various things they must complete while at the house. &nbsp;After all the tasks are completed, they are presented a badge and certificate congratulating them on their efforts.

The Dwight David Eisenhower National Historic Site is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  It was the original home of former president Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie.  The house today is visited by guests from around the world.  The park encompassing the house provides for many different activities for people of all ages.  The Eisenhowers' donated their home to the National Park Service in 1967, just two years before the former president died.

Eisenhower National Historic Site

In July of 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg encompassed 90,000 Union soldiers and 75,000 Confederate soldiers, resulting in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. In June, Confederate General Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia into central Pennsylvania for several reasons: to obtain supplies, to instigate antiwar activists in the North, and to gain military triumph on Northern soil that might persuade President Abraham Lincoln to call for peace and conclude the war via the destruction of a vital railroad bridge over the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg. When Lee learned Confederate forces had crossed the Potomac River, he sent all units to Gettysburg to avoid confrontation. Gettysburg, while not necessarily an important location during the Civil War, had over a dozen roads leading into the town, making it accessible for his troops to concentrate there. On July 1, forces collided with Union Major General George Gordon Meade and the battle began, continuing into the second day. Lee attacked the Union army from both sides and had great success, but was overconfident and thought the center would be weakened due to Meade reinforcing the two flanks, therefore making the Union easy to defeat. On July 3, the third day of battle, Lee sent 13,00 of his soldiers, led by Major General George Pickett, to attack the center, but fewer than half of his soldiers returned. The failed attack later became known as “Pickett’s Charge.” The following day, Lee and his remaining troops retreated to Virginia, where Meade attempted to cut them off, but failed to do so before they recrossed the Potomac River. The aftermath of the battle was brutal for the Confederacy. In total, the battle caused around 50-51,000 casualties. On the Union side, over 3,000 men were dead, 14,529 wounded, and 5,365 missing or captured. On the Confederate side, over 4,000 men were dead, 18,735 wounded, and 5,425 missing or captured. Due to the high number of casualties, it is referred to as the “High Water Mark of the Rebellion.” Distraught from the loss, General Robert E. Lee offered up his resignation as general but was refused that request. The South was demoralized after the loss and the North took full advantage in continuing to end the Civil War.  Afterward, churches, public buildings, hospitals, and even private homes were filled with wounded soldiers. The Camp Letterman General Hospital was temporarily established east of Gettysburg. There, a majority of both Union and Confederate soldiers were taken and treated by Union surgeons working with the U.S. Sanitary Commission and Christian Commission, before being moved to permanent hospitals in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. By January of 1864, the last patients were gone. Residents of the area grew concerned with the terrible condition of soldiers' graves scattered over the battlefield and at hospital sites, and pleaded with Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin for state support to buy a portion of the battlefield to be set aside as a final resting place for the defenders of the Union cause. Gettysburg lawyer David Wills was appointed the state agent to head the establishment of the new "Soldiers' National Cemetery,” which was designed by famous architect William Saunders. Removal of the Union dead to the cemetery began in the fall of 1863, but would not be completed until long after the cemetery grounds were dedicated on November 19, 1863. The dedication ceremony prompted around 15,000 attendees, including prominent political figures, and featured orator Edward Everett, who gave a successful two-hour speech, and included solemn prayers, songs, and dirges to honor the men who died at Gettysburg. Yet, it was President Abraham Lincoln who provided the most notable words in his speech, that was just over two minutes long and fewer than 300 words, which became known as the Gettysburg Address, eulogizing the Union soldiers buried at Gettysburg and reminding those in attendance of their sacrifice for the Union cause, that they should renew their devotion "to the cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion." There is speculation that Lincoln wrote his speech on the train ride to the memorial, and that some parts, such as the opening “four score and seven years ago,” are traced back to Bible scripture. The Battle of Gettysburg, coinciding with the capture of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, is known as a turning point in the Civil War. In 1864, the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association was established to preserve portions of the battlefield. The following year, they transferred their holdings to the Federal government, which designated Gettysburg as a National Military Park. A commission of Civil War Veterans oversaw the park’s development as a memorial to both armies, before the administration transferred it to the Department of Interior, National Park Service in 1933, which still oversees it. People still visit the park to pay tribute to the men who gave their lives in battle, some stating "as soon as you enter the battlefields, whether you are spiritual or not, you can feel this immense sadness. You can just feel that there is something there. With 51,000 lives lost there in three days…I believe there are souls still there," (Blue Monday, comments of Battle of Gettysburg (Full Documentary).

Fought over the first three days of July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most important conflicts of the Civil War. The fate of the nation was proven in the summer of 1863 when General Robert E. Lee, commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, led his army north into Pennsylvania, bringing the war directly into Union territory. The Union Army, commanded by Major General George Gordon Meade, met the Confederate invasion near the Pennsylvania crossroads town of Gettysburg, and what began as a chance encounter quickly turned into a desperate, ferocious battle. Despite initial Confederate successes, the battle turned against Lee on July 3rd, and with few options remaining, he ordered his army to retreat to Virginia, but not before 50,000 casualties were caught in the battle. The Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg resulted not only in Lee's retreat to Virginia, but an end to the hopes of the Confederate States of America’s independence.

Gettysburg National Military Park (U.S. National Park Service)

President Lincoln gave
his now-famous speech on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers
National Cemetery. Lincoln's position as President assured that he would speak last, but he was&nbsp;not the featured speaker. That honor belonged to&nbsp;Edward Everett, a celebrity orator in an era when Americans would travel for miles to hear a great&nbsp;speech.&nbsp;Everett spoke for his allotted two hours, which was followed by the singing of a&nbsp;hymn and&nbsp;Lincoln's short speech.&nbsp;Unlike the speech Everett gave before him, Lincoln’s
Gettysburg Address lasted approximately two minutes and his speech consisted of only&nbsp;ten
sentences. The crowd was somewhat shocked by the President's brevity, and most early accounts of the event&nbsp;focused&nbsp;on&nbsp;Everett's speech. In future generations, however, the President's speech would become required reading and even the subject of memorization drills given its brevity and verve.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The bust of Lincoln at this memorial was made by Henry K.
Bush-Brown.&nbsp; In addition to this bust,
Brown made the equestrian sculptures of Generals Meade, Reynolds, and Sedgwick
that are present at Gettysburg.&nbsp;The memorial is not situated at&nbsp;the exact spot where Lincoln delivered the speech. That location can be discovered by walking around 300 yards north, where there is a small&nbsp;plaque that also commemorates Lincoln's speech.

Though not the exact site of the Gettysburg Address, this memorial commemorates the speech given by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863. It is located in the Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The memorial consists of a bust of Lincoln flanked by two plaques. Lincoln's speech was part of a day-long dedication ceremony at the cemetery, an event that local planners hoped would promote the city of Gettysburg. Although the event's planners anticipated that the event's main event, a two-hour a speech by famed orator Edward Everett would be the highlight of the day, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address would become one of the most cherished well-known speeches in American history.  

Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Driving - Adams County

Majestic Theater

Introduction

Images

Additional Information