Stone walls with stories to tell dot the rolling hills and open fields that make up the haunting site of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle. For three days in early July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg raged on, yielding a pivotal Union victory—but with unparalleled loss.
To fully understand the key players, events, and tactics of the battle, visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. Packed with exhibits and artifacts, the museum shares timelines and experiences so visitors can explore this historical moment.
Start your visit by watching “A New Birth of Freedom,” a film narrated by Morgan Freeman that briefly outlines the war, from the fateful first shots to Lincoln’s iconic Gettysburg Address.
Another notable experience is “Ticket to the Past—Unforgettable Journeys,” a virtual reality adventure that transports visitors to 1863 Gettysburg from the perspective of those who lived it. Compelling virtual guides include Basil Biggs, a free Black man and veterinarian, who helped exhume Union soldier bodies buried on the battlefield and move them to the newly dedicated national cemetery. He was paid $1.25 per body.
Another guide, 18-year-old soldier and musician Eli Blanchard, assisted surgeons in the hospital, while caretaker Cornelia Hancock defied the societal norms of the time, traveling solo to Gettysburg to help in the hospitals. You’ll also get to see what it was like to witness Lincoln’s arrival on the eve of his famed address.
Perhaps one of the most impressive parts of the visit is the Cyclorama, a 360-degree painting of Pickett’s Charge on the third day of the battle. Like a late 19th-century IMAX theater, the three-dimensional, intricately detailed and immersive experience was painted by Paul Philippoteaux. Over the decades, the work of art has survived fire, vandalism, and multiple moves. From 2004 to 2008, the painting underwent a massive, multimillion-dollar restoration.
