Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center facts for kids
Sign near main doorway
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | April 2008 |
|---|---|
| Location | Gettysburg NMP, Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Visitors | 2 million |
| Founder | Gettysburg Foundation |
| Owner | National Park Service |
| Public transit access | Gettysburg National Military Park, rabbittransit |
| Nearest parking | Entrances from Baltimore Pike |
The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center is a special place located at the Gettysburg National Military Park. It helps visitors learn about the American Civil War, especially the famous Battle of Gettysburg. Inside, you can see a huge painting called the 1884 Gettysburg Cyclorama. It's also where you can find guides and buses to explore the actual Gettysburg Battlefield and the nearby Eisenhower National Historic Site.
The museum shows off many interesting items from the war. These include cannons, old firearms, and uniforms worn by soldiers. There's a special exhibit area and a theater where you can watch films. You can also find a computer room, a gift shop with souvenirs, and a restaurant for a bite to eat.
History of the Museum
The idea of museums in Gettysburg started a long time ago. In 1881, one of the first museums showed off a collection of war items from J. Albertus Danner. Later, in 1894, the famous Gettysburg Cyclorama painting was even shown in a tent! A building for it was planned on Cemetery Hill in 1912.
Over the years, other museums like the Round Top Museum (1888–1964) and the Gettysburg National Museum (1921–2008) became part of the National Park Service. This happened after the 1963 anniversary of the battle.
After World War II, many more people started visiting Gettysburg. To help with this, a new visitor center was built in 1962. It was called the Cyclorama Building at Gettysburg and was designed by a famous architect named Richard Neutra. This was the first visitor center for the battlefield.
The Gettysburg National Museum became the main visitor center in 1974. Over time, it received updates for technology and other services. The old Cyclorama Building was taken down in 2008 after the new Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center was finished. The new building now proudly displays the restored Gettysburg Cyclorama painting. The landmark 1962 Cyclorama Building by Neutra was completely removed in February 2013.
Images for kids
-
Display of the Gettysburg Address
-
Displays in the new gift shop.
