Cemetery Hill played an important role during the three day Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. But since 1863, fields became woods; the town expanded, and modern intrusions appeared, including nearby commercial development as well as the presence of the National Park Service's visitor and Cyclorama centers. These dramatic changes have hidden the site of important battle action under asphalt parking lots, concrete, brick and non-historic vegetation. Thus, it is nearly impossible to visualize today the conditions encountered by over 6,500 soldiers in July 1863. The events that occurred along the western slopes of Cemetery Hill and the northern edge of Cemetery Ridge had a significant impact on the Battle of Gettysburg and, ultimately, the cost of the Civil War.
One of the most important proposals in the Gettysburg National Military Park's General Management Plan (executed in 1999), including the building of a new visitor center and museum complex and the removal of the visitor facilities located along Cemetery Hill and Ziegler's Grove.
Ziegler's Grove was the focal point of Pickett's Charge, the climactic struggle of three days of battle. It was here that Union troops prevailed, the Battle of Gettysburg was won and the course of American history was forever changed. The historic rehabilitation of Ziegler's Grove honors the sacrifices and valor of the Union and Confederate soldiers who fought and died on this land. It is also central in the Gettysburg Foundation's to educate Gettysburg's millions of visitors about the battle, the causes and consequences of the American Civil War and the lasting significance of this critical time in our nation's history.
Learn More About This Project
SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT
Recently, the Gettysburg Foundation received a $500,000 challenge toward rehabilitating this area.
Before July 1, 2010, the Gettysburg Foundation needs to raise $2 for every dollar of this gift. Within one month of the challenge, the Board of Directors of the Gettysburg Foundation collectively matched the challenge with over $500,000 of their own.
All that remains is the final $500,000 and the rehabilitation of Cemetery Hill will be well on its way to completion.
Help us rehabilitate this historic area of the battlefield with your financial support. Thank you for your support of Gettysburg National Military Park.
SUPPORT BATTLEFIELD REHABILITATION
You, too, can help with battlefield rehabilitation efforts at Gettysburg. Join the Friends of Gettysburg, the membership arm of the Gettysburg Foundation. Your membership dollars help support battlefield rehabilitation efforts at Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Foundation is grateful for the support of its members which enables the Foundation to continue the work of preserving history at Gettysburg National Military Park.
