New Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center
National Military Park's Cyclorama Restored
The Gettysburg National Military Park in southern Pennsylvania offers one more attraction to the public: in the newly opened museum and the adjacent visitor center the story of the battle of Gettysburg (1863), the decisive battle of the American Civil War, is told. The new museum is installed in a new building which is built in 19th-century architectural style and thus blends perfectly into its rural surroundings. Even though newest technology has been installed in its interior to allow visitors every possibility to explore the history of this decisive battle of the American Civil War. The project was funded by contributions from businesses as well as individuals which amounted up to 135 million dollars - the total cost of the construction.
Restoration of the National Military Park's Cyclorama
The museum houses invaluable art from one of the biggest collections on the American Civil War, the masterpiece of which is the Gettysburg Cyclorama, probably the most wellknown painting of the United States. The painting of Paul Philippoteaux was restored to its original condition in one of the most comprehensive restoration projects in North America. Humidity, variations in temperature and several transports had taken their toll on the painting. During the work threedimensional and trompe d'oeil effects have been restored. Thus today's visitors can experience the painting as the first viewers could 125 years ago. New and specially installed techniques create the perfect room temperature to help save the painting from similar damages in the future.
New Gettysburg Museum an Visitor Center
The new museum offers many technical innovations that provide a more interactive experience for the visitors. Multimedia installations as well as a computer based research center invite visitors to delve deeper into this period of American history. In modern cinemas they can view movies on the subject, listen to Morgan Freeman telling the story of A New Birth of Freedom, and hear voices reading from letters and diaries dating from the time of the American Civil War. Acoustic replays, in which Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis tell their side of the story, enhance the exhibits.
Battle of Gettysburg, July 1 to 3, 1863
From July 1 to 3, 1863, the decisive battle of the American Civil War raged in the area surrounding Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was one of the bloodiest battles of this violent and bloody war. In the battle of Gettysburg alone 6000 men were killed and 40000 injured. On November 19th, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln visited Gettysburg to dedicate the newly created cemetery and hold his famous three hour speech, that became known worldwide as Gettysburg Address. In this speech he laid the basis for the future of the nation of the United States.
Gettysburg and the Gettysburg National Military Park are located in southern Pennsylvania and are online 40 miles from the international airport of Harrisburg. The museum and visitor center are open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. Entrance to the park is free. The museum entrance is 7.50 $ per adult. Reduced rates for children are available.
Further information on the Gettysburg National Military Park can be found online.
Gettysburg Cyclorama
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