On April 29, 2022, the Gettysburg Foundation opened Ticket to the Past – Unforgettable Journeys to the public and the Gettysburg, Adams County community.
The virtual reality experience at the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad StationTM, Ticket to the Past – Unforgettable Journeys provides visitors and families a history-based virtual reality experience where they can journey back to 1863. The new experience features stories of some unlikely occupants of the railroad station in July 1863, as well as our 16th President’s arrival on Nov. 18, 1863, to the station for the dedication of the national cemetery. Ticket to the Past – Unforgettable Journeys offers guests the option of choosing to follow one of three historic figures on their virtual journey.
The grand opening began with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Gettysburg Foundation President and CEO Wayne E. Motts began the ceremony by welcoming everyone stating, “On behalf of the Gettysburg Foundation, we are grateful for the donors and supporters who made this possible, and we are pleased to bring a new and exciting historical venue to the Gettysburg Borough.” Joining Motts to commemorate the opening were Gettysburg Foundation Board Member David Malgee and wife Sherri Malgee, as well as TimeLooper principal Andrew Feinberg. Special thanks to The Chamber of Gettysburg & Adams County President Carrie Stuart and her staff for assisting with the coordination of the ceremony.
Motts thanked lead sponsors the National Park Foundation, Captain Joan R. Hankey, USN (Ret.), and David and Sherri Malgee for the generous support that made the virtual reality experience possible.
Also present for the ribbon cutting were Gettysburg Foundation Board Member Gordie Beittenmiller; Adams County Commissioners Randy Phiel and Marty Karsteter Qually; Misty Wagner-Grillo, Constituent Services Representative for Congressman John Joyce; Leah Krichten, Field Representative for Senator Doug Mastriano; and Gettysburg Borough Councilwoman Judie Butterfield along with many others from the community. A special appearance from Chris Sakyi, the actor who portrays Basil Biggs, one of the historical figures in the virtual reality experience.
The grand opening was a success with visitors experiencing the timed shows throughout the afternoon and evening.
Located at 35 Carlisle Street in downtown Gettysburg, Ticket to the Past – Unforgettable Journeys is open through November on Mondays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Fridays, Noon until 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). The virtual reality experience will hold winter hours in December of Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Ticket to the Past – Unforgettable Journeys will be open in January and February only for Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day weekends, Saturday through Monday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Tickets are available to purchase online at GettysburgFoundation.org, by phone at 877-874-2478, at the ticket counter in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center and on-site at Ticket to the Past – Unforgettable Journeys.