2023 News

Visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center can explore the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital throughout the 2023 summer season. The historic site is open for visitors Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. until 3:20 p.m., now through Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023.

Visitors to the George Spangle Farm & Field Hospital can interact with living historians and learn about Civil War medicine, medical techniques, the role of surgeons and caregivers, soldiers’ experiences, the humanity of citizens, the Spangler family and the role of civilians during and after the Battle of Gettysburg. Docents are available for questions. Civil War era encampments are set up on-site, with living historians from across the U.S. providing guests a glimpse of what happened here in 1863.

July 2023: Friday, Saturday & Sunday Program Schedule

• 11:15 - 11:45 a.m.     The Spangler Farm in 1863
• 2:00 - 2:45 p.m.         An Army Field Hospital: The George Spangler Farm

Sunday Special Programming

Each Sunday throughout the summer season, Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (HGAC) will be on-site. HGAC interprets the design, construction and use of the stunning expression of an iconic, vernacular architectural form—the Pennsylvania Bank Barn. Representatives of HGAC discuss the George Spangler Farm’s restoration in the past decade—from a dilapidated structure in danger of collapse to a visage of its original glory—that revived this important, tangible component of American history.

July 2023 Schedule of Living History & Gettysburg Foundation Programming

June 30 – July 2

• Civil War Historic Impressions: A special Battle of Gettysburg anniversary encampment. See Union and Confederate soldiers, Gettysburg civilians, generals and surgeons. A Confederate field hospital includes a portrayal of surgeon Hunter McGuire. Guests can walk through the encampments on the grounds of the historic site, interact with living historians and experience history come alive.

July 7 – 9:

• Gettysburg Foundation: Learn the history of the George Spangler Farm that was converted to a field hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg for more than 1,900 wounded men – both Union and Confederate soldiers – and all that took place at this strategic location during the 1863 battle. The historic site has been meticulously restored and renovated, featuring original buildings from the battle. George and Elizabeth Spangler’s family was forever altered as their thriving family farm became a Civil War field hospital. Hear stories of the Spangler family and their experiences as they chose to remain on their property during the 1863 battle, witnessing the ongoing field hospital work that took place here.

July 14 – 16:

• Detachment U.S. Engineers: A nationally recognized living history organization depicts military engineering and demonstrates engineering aspects and support operations.
• We the People Living History Association: Living historians depict civilian life in support of the war effort during the Civil War with an emphasis on the United States Sanitary Commission.
• The Healing: Conversations Between Nurses North and South: A unique and moving portrayal of women who pioneered professional nursing and served during the American Civil War. True accounts based on diaries and first-person references reflect the profound impact these Civil War nurses had on the soldiers they treated that went beyond the battles and the war.

July 21 – 23:

• 17th Corps Field Hospital: Living historians exhibit and demonstrate Union Civil War medicine, including pill making, nursing, nutrition, medicines, medical instruments, a pocket and capital amputation kit. Sick call demonstrations reflect the types of illnesses seen daily.
• Dr. Willen & Company: A Union surgeon, civilian nurse and hospital steward present Civil War medicine and accurately portray Civil War medical personnel with expert explanations on all phases of Civil War medical care.
• 4^th Texas Company B Infantry: Civil War reenacting group based in Southeastern Pennsylvania and a member unit of the First Battalion of the First Division of the Army of Northern Virginia, an organization for Confederate reenacting units in the eastern U.S. Company B Infantry’s mission is to uphold the memory of Texas soldiers in the Civil War and their families by accurately portraying southern soldiers and civilians, to educate the public about the common Civil War soldier’s life and ideals, and to promote preservation of Civil War battlefields and historic sites.

July 28 – 30:

• 150th PA Volunteer Infantry “Bucktails” Co. C & K: Living historians portray two of four companies recruited from Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and the personnel who served in the Hospital Department during the Civil War.
• Citizens of Gettysburg: Civilians, attired in authentic Victorian period clothing, recreate the experience of Civil War era civilians of Gettysburg and provide ‘first-person impressions.’

Admission to the historic site is included with the purchase of a Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience ticket at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. Visitors also have the option to purchase single shuttle tickets for admission to the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. Friends of Gettysburg members receive complimentary admission and shuttle tickets to the site during summer season weekends.

Shuttles depart the Museum & Visitor Center Friday through Sunday every 20 minutes starting at 10 a.m. with the last shuttle departing the Museum & Visitor Center at 1:40 p.m. The last returning shuttle to the Museum & Visitor Center departs the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital at 3:20 p.m.

The living history schedule for August will be released throughout the summer. For shuttle tickets, visit GettysburgFoundation.org or call 877-874-2478.