Visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center can shuttlebus to the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital to explore the historic site throughout the remainder of the 2022 summer season. The historic site will continue to be open for the summer season of living history and programs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. through Sunday, Aug 14.
Visitors to the historic site 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. 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.
August 2022 Program Schedule, Friday – Sunday:
- 11:15 - 11:45 a.m. - The Spangler Farm in 1863
- 2 - 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.
August 2022 Living History Schedule:
August 5-7:
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Annabel’s Battery, Battery K 1st US Artillery: Living historians teach the purpose of a Civil War field hospital, the devastating wounds and treatments, and the support services provided to medical personnel, and wounded and ill soldiers. They will present Civil War medicine and artillery demonstrations throughout the weekend.
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Society of Civil War Surgeons: Living historians portray Civil War surgeons demonstrating and discussing various surgical procedures, Civil War era medicines and uses for soldiers who fell ill.
August 12-14:
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136th NYSV Medical Hospital: Regimental field hospital based in Charlotte, North Carolina, demonstrates surgeries, nursing techniques and duties, with the use of mannequins and period instruments. Featured: Dr. Bleecker Hovey’s surgeon kit actually used at the George Spangler Farm in 1863–still intact after 159 years.
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Company A, 9th PA Reserves: Medical unit from near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and living historians portray members of the United States Sanitary Commission.
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Company H, 119th N.Y. Volunteers Historical Association: A non-profit organization founded in 1980, living historians portray the original company organized in August 1862. Through interpretation for the benefit and education of the public, the Association researches, preserves and disseminates the history and service of Company H in the American Civil War, including the social heritage of its men and their families on Long Island.
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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.
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 timed shuttle tickets for admission to the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. Friends of Gettysburg members receive complimentary admission and timed shuttle to the site during summer season weekends.
Access to the historic site is via timed shuttles departing 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.
Visit GettysburgFoundation.org or call 877-874-2478 for information and timed shuttle tickets for the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital, and for the experiences, exhibits, tours, historic sites and events offered by the Gettysburg Foundation.