Gettysburg, Pa.

04-14-2009

Tourism Cares, a non-profit in the travel industry dedicated to preserving the travel experience for future generations, will bring volunteers together April 16-18 to restore historic George Spangler Farm on the Gettysburg battlefield.

The project, now in its seventh year, brings travel and tourism industry leaders together to restore historic sites in need of care and rejuvenation by getting their hands dirty to make a difference in the community and restore an important piece of American history.

The George Spangler Farm was recently purchased by the Gettysburg Foundation to protect the historically significant site from private development. The 80-acre farm is located at what was the logistical center of the Union battlefield during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. During and after the battle, Spangler Farm served as a field hospital for both Confederate and Union soldiers. It was here that Confederate General Lewis Armistead, who led the climatic Pickett’s Charge, died of the wounds he suffered on the last day of the battle.

Until last year, the site was privately owned and is in need of considerable restoration. Many of the fields, buildings and boundary lines associated with the property are still intact but in poor condition. Volunteers will work to bring back the authenticity of the farm, restoring original buildings, demolishing modern structures, landscaping, trail building, painting, cleaning and much more. The restoration of the property will further the Gettysburg Foundation’s campaign to preserve Gettysburg to give visitors a sense of how the town actually appeared in 1863.

 

 

Key Piece of Land Preserved at Gettysburg

 

The Gettysburg Foundation today announced the donation of a 45-acre tract of land adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park and within the Battlefield Historic District. The land, donated by Gettysburg residents Wayne and Susan Hill sits near the eastern base of Big Round Top at the southern end of the battlefield. Hill is president of Gettysburg Construction Company.

“The Gettysburg Foundation is honored to receive this donation to ensure that another key piece of land associated with the Battle of Gettysburg and within the Battlefield Historic District will be preserved for future generations,” said Barbara J. Finfrock, Vice Chair of the Board of the Gettysburg Foundation.

“I have a great affinity for the park and the Foundation,” said Hill, “so I’m happy we were able to make this donation. The land is a natural, beautiful spot, and now we’re sure it will stay that way.” Hill is a former board member of the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg.

On July 2, 1863, Union skirmishers would have been in this area, and on July 3, the final day of the battle Union Cavalry units were in this area as they participated in the final conflicts of the three-day battle.

 

 

Gettysburg National Military Park plants more battlefield orchards

 

This week, Gettysburg National Military Park is replanting four more historic orchards in major battle action areas on the battlefield.

Contractors for the National Park Service will replant 30 acres of orchards with hardy varieties of apple so visitors can better understand the fighting and see the battlefield through the eyes of the soldiers fighting in 1863.

The project includes replanting the largest orchard in the park – the McMillan Orchard which is 26 acres along both sides of West Confederate Avenue. In addition, the park is replanting the orchards at the Timbers Farm, Klingel farm and at the Spangler farm at East Cavalry Battlefield.

The trees are six varieties of hardy apple.

 

 

Gettysburg Festival to present an American Culinary Adventure

 

May 30 event to feature former White House Chef; Best of Pennsylvania Foods

White House Chef Walter Scheib is designing an “American Culinary Adventure,” to be featured at a fundraising dinner to benefit The Gettysburg Festival on Saturday, May 30. The event is being hosted by Mike and Jane Rice at their estate, Oxford Hill Manor in New Oxford.

Scheib, one of the nation’s most prominent chefs, recently was named Artistic Director for Culinary Arts with The Gettysburg Festival, June 18-28, 2009. The 10-day arts festival will feature the Culinary Arts throughout, including six ticketed culinary experiences ranging from the Brass, Beer & BBQ Presented by PA Preferred at Saturday’s Brass Bands Festivities to an elegant Father’s Day Brunch at the Hanover Shoe Farm and an intimate dinner at the home of the Gettysburg College President.

“Great cuisine is driven by great products,” explains Scheib. “This spectacular fundraising event will highlight Pennsylvania’s outstanding products, but with a twist. We’ll start with Pennsylvania-based ingredients and feature them in distinctly themed stations set in separate areas of this magnificent estate, representing great American regional flavors and creating a genuinely unique Culinary Adventure.”

 

 

Majestic Theater in Gettysburg to host famous Smothers Brothers

 

The Majestic Theater is proud to bring the Smothers Brothers, one of America’s legendary comedic and musical duos, on Friday, May 1, at 8 p
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