Museum & Visitor Center Follows Guidelines & Welcomes Visitors
October 2, 2020
Gettysburg Cyclorama
The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, home of the Gettysburg Cyclorama and the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War, reopened its doors to the public on Thursday, June 25, 2020.
The Museum & Visitor Center was closed from March 17 to June 24, 2020, to comply with state and health mandates to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Per state and public health directions, the Museum & Visitor Center is following a phased plan with reduced building capacity and a focus on visitor safety.
The building is currently open five days a week—Thursdays through Mondays (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Building capacity is limited to less than 50 percent at a time. The programming in the Museum & Visitor Center is available using timed ticketing. Access to the film “A New Birth of Freedom” and the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting is limited to 48 people per show to allow for social distancing. In addition, throughout the museum galleries, some of the films and touch screen exhibits are unavailable during this initial phase.
Prior to visiting the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets at GettysburgFoundation.org and read more about reopening protocols. To assist with contactless payment, visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance either online at GettysburgFoundation.org or via phone at 877-874-2478. Visitors wishing to book a guided tour may do so in advance. Guided tours are point-to-point, caravan-style in accordance with CDC mandates.
For the health and safety of all, individuals who enter the building should wear a face covering. Face coverings are not required for children under the age of 2 or for those with medical issues.
Additional protocols to protect visitors and staff include the following:
- The Museum & Visitor Center is maintaining a rigorous cleaning schedule and frequently disinfecting high touch areas like door handles.
- Visitors and staff enter and exit through designated doors to ensure social distancing.
- Social distancing is practiced throughout the Museum & Visitor Center.
- The Gettysburg Foundation and National Park Service staff have access to masks, and staff who engage with the visiting public are wearing masks.
- Plexiglass shields have been installed at the National Park Service Information Desk, the ticket counter, and at podiums in the ticketed areas throughout the building.
- Hand sanitation stations are available for visitors and staff.