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Friends of Gettysburg

Walk the pastoral fields at Gettysburg, and you can sense the significance of this special place. More than 165,000 soldiers battled at Gettysburg over the course of three days in July 1863. Approximately 51,000 were killed, wounded or captured as they fought for their beliefs. History was made here at Gettysburg.

In 1989, concerned citizens joined together to assist the Gettysburg National Military Park in preserving and protecting this hallowed ground for generations to come. Friends of Gettysburg members continue to care for the battlefield by building and painting fences, restoring monuments, donating priceless land and artifacts and raising money to support battlefield rehabilitation efforts. Friends members don’t just sit on the sidelines — they get involved in the work of preserving history at Gettysburg.

Celebrating 20+ Years of Preservation at Gettysburg

In spring 2009, the Friends of Gettysburg celebrated its 20th anniversary. The accomplishments the Friends has made over the years in support of the National Park Service at Gettysburg National Military Park has significantly helped enhance the preservation and understanding of the lasting significance of Gettysburg:

• Removed the Home Sweet Home Motel (the last commercial site on the fields of Pickett’s Charge) 
• Rehabilitated the Pennsylvania Memorial
• Instituted and continue to fund the cannon-carriage restoration program
• Created the Rupp House History Center
• Buried the utility lines along the Emmitsburg and Mummasburg roads and at Devil’s Den
• Removed the National Tower
• Rehabilitated the Peach Orchard
• Provided funds for the construction of the world-class Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center
• Helped conserve the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting

The list above only scratches the surface of what the Friends has accomplished over the past two decades. The Friends has also built over seven miles of fences on the battlefield (to re-create historic fence lines) during its annual Volunteer Workday events. These efforts support Gettysburg National Military Park’s commitment to battlefield rehabilitation — returning the ground as closely as possible to its 1863 appearance so visitors can better understand the important events of July 1863.

You Can Make a Difference — Join the Friends of Gettysburg

Friends of Gettysburg members are the lifeline of the Gettysburg Foundation. You, too, can support the preservation of this hallowed ground by joining the Friends of Gettysburg.

Membership in the Friends of Gettysburg is on an annual basis and includes a number of benefits at all membership levels.

Contact Us

As your participation increases in the Friends of Gettysburg, so do the tangible and intellectual awards.

To learn more about any of these membership levels, e-mail the Friends of Gettysburg membership department or call 717-339-2158 or 717-339-2159.

Make your contribution in support of the Friends of Gettysburg now.