Gettysburg National Military Park to Offer Education Events for Special Learners
Dec 8, 2023
Gettysburg National Military Park will start the new year with events for all families and will feature events for families with special learners. All events are free of charge.
Sensory Friendly Hours
Saturday, Jan. 13 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Explore the film, Cyclorama painting and the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center in a quiet and calm way during the morning hours. Hands-on History Carts and other gentle surprises are in store for attending families. A Reading & Relaxation Station will be available in the Ford Education Center throughout the sensory friendly time.
Join the Army with Company K for Hearing-Impaired
Saturday, Jan. 20 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Youth and families can explore the stories of Company K of the 1st Pennsylvania Reserves who joined the army in 1861 in Gettysburg, then found themselves fighting in their hometown two years later. Families will train, march, and learn all about their battle action alongside park rangers and American Sign Language interpreters. Registration preferred (but not required) for this event by e-mailing family name and number of attendees.
Lincoln at Gettysburg for Visually-Impaired
Saturday, Jan. 27 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Youth and families can explore President Lincoln’s journey in downtown Gettysburg at the David Wills House Museum. Tour the home, wear Lincoln hats and coats, listen to the moving words of the Gettysburg Address and more. Due to limited spacing, registration is required for this event by e-mailing Gettysburg National Military Park with family name and number of attendees.
Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War for English Language Learners
Saturday, Feb. 3 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Visit the museum inside Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center with your family on this special day that includes translated museum activities and vocabulary flipbooks, museum highlights, tours with language interpreters and hands-on history carts. Dress up like a soldier or civilian, listen to the Gettysburg Address and more. Registration is preferred, but not required for this event by e-mailing Gettysburg National Military Park with family name and number of attendees.
Sensory Friendly Hours
Saturday, Feb. 10 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Explore the film, Cyclorama painting and the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center in a quiet and calm way during the morning hours. Hands-on History Carts and other gentle surprises are in store for attending families. A Reading & Relaxation Station will be available in the Ford Education Center throughout the sensory friendly time.
History Kids Reading Adventures Club
Saturdays, Jan. 6 through Feb. 24 | 11 a.m.
UPDATE: Due to forecasted weather, the Jan. 6 book reading is canceled.
Families are invited to free Reading Adventures Club programs in the theater at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. The History Kids Reading Adventures Club, for families with children ages 4-10, meets each Saturday morning at 11 a.m. in January and February. The theme this year is “With Liberty and Justice for All.” Families join a park educator to hear a new book reading, with pages projected onto the screen, and then participate in a related indoor or outdoor family-led adventure. This winter reading program teaches budding history buffs about important events, themes and people in our American history. Free of charge, and no registration needed.
Book selections include:
- Jan. 13: The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca.
- Jan. 20: Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh. This will also be presented in American Sign Language.
- Jan. 27: A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women’s Rights by Kate Hannigan.
- Feb. 3: Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in Bronx by Jonah Winter.
- Feb. 10: Stolen Words by Melanie Florence.
For more information on these and other family focused programs at Gettysburg National Military Park, visit nps.gov/gett or e-mail the education team at Gettysburg National Military Park
Read the National Park Service press release.
Filed In: