2023 News

Generous partners, Friends, presenters and participants celebrated the 15^th anniversary of the award-winning, LEED-Gold certified Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center during the Gettysburg Foundation’s Gala event Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.

The Gala raised funds to support the Foundation’s mission of preservation and education for future generations, in partnership with Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site. The sold-out event, held at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, brought together more than 200 corporate and foundation sponsors, Gettysburg Foundation Directors, donors, Friends of Gettysburg and elected officials.Gettysburg Foundation President and CEO Wayne E. Motts (right) welcomes attendees during his address at the Foundation's Gala 2023 event.

The Gala’s anniversary celebration of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center concentrated on the National Park Service and Gettysburg Foundation partnership. The Foundation funded, designed and constructed the National Park Service’s $103 million Museum & Visitor Center that opened in 2008. Since then, the Museum & Visitor Center has welcomed nearly 15 million visitors. In addition to the information Rangers provide to visitors at the National Park Service information desk, the experiences in the center offer more than an introduction to the Battle of Gettysburg. The film presentation of A New Birth of Freedom, produced by The History Channel and narrated by Morgan Freeman, introduces visitors to the 1863 battle. Visitors can experience the historic Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama painting created by French artist Paul Philippoteaux in 1884, depicting Pickett’s Charge during the decisive third day of fighting. Guests can explore the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War, which exhibits artifacts from Gettysburg National Military Park’s collection of 1.25 million artifacts stored in this state-of-the-art facility ensuring the perpetual care of and access to the largest and most diverse single publicly held collection of American Civil War artifacts in the world. Visitors to Gettysburg can tour the battlefield with a Licensed Battlefield Guide and board their bus or meet their guide at the Museum & Visitor Center. The Museum & Visitor Center offers a resource room and research library that provide a wealth of sources for anyone interested in our nation’s history and the enduring relevance of the American Civil War.Gala 2023 attendees raise the paddle in support of the Gettysburg Foundation and National Park Service partnership to help continue preservation of museum artifacts in perpetuity.

The Gala raised $660,000 for the Foundation’s education and preservation mission while highlighting those who gathered to support these goals. As part of that total, the raise the paddle fundraiser during the Gala raised $119,000 to support our partnership with the National Park Service at Gettysburg in the continuing effort to preserve our world-class museum collection and share it with the public. With these donations, this nationally significant collection of priceless artifacts will be preserved in perpetuity and made accessible to the public. Through this support, the Foundation continues to reinforce the importance of Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site as places of stewardship, civic dialogue, preservation, volunteerism and education.

“On behalf of the Gettysburg Foundation and its Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, we thank our generous supporters, sponsors and patrons who have helped us raise $660,000. Filling the venue to capacity again this year, which marks the 15^th anniversary of the Museum & Visitor Center, demonstrates the unwavering support and dedication of so many people to our education and preservation mission in partnership with the National Park Service here at Gettysburg,” said Gettysburg Foundation president and CEO Wayne E. Motts.

Anne W. Kinsley (left) presents a photo collage framed in Gettysburg witness wood during her presentation of the Kinsley Award to Barbara J. Finfrock (right).

The evening honored the passion, dedication and commitment of the late Robert A. (Bob) Kinsley, Gettysburg Foundation Chair Emeritus, and his wife Anne Kinsley and family. Honoring their legacy, Anne Kinsley presented the 2023 Kinsley Award to Chair of the Friends of Gettysburg Barbara J. Finfrock. Finfrock was recognized for her lifelong dedication and commitment to battlefield preservation. She was a driving force behind the creation of the Gettysburg Foundation. Finfrock’s leadership has been a critical factor in every major preservation victory achieved over the past three decades, helping to maintain Gettysburg as the premiere battlefield site in the country. During the presentation of the Kinsley Award to Finfrock, Kinsley said, “I cannot think of a person who is more deserving of this award than Barbara.” 

The Gettysburg Foundation presents the Kinsley Award annually to a person or organization who helped to advance the Foundation’s preservation and education mission in support of the National Park Service at Gettysburg. The award is named for Mr. Robert A. and Mrs. Anne W. Kinsley and their family in honor of their years of service and financial support for the mission of Gettysburg Foundation. The Kinsley’s vision and support led to the creation of the Museum & Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park.Andrew Masich, Gary Gallagher, Thavolia Glymph and Gene Barr (left to right) during the featured panel discussion during Gala 2023.

The Gala featured a moderated panel discussion on the enduring relevance of Gettysburg with three of the most respected historians in the country, Gary Gallagher, Thavolia Glymph and Andrew Masich. Moderated by Gene Barr, long-time Friend of Gettysburg and former president of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the panel had a lively discussion focused on how the Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service, can attract the next generation of Americans to Gettysburg to learn about the incredible stories of sacrifice, duty and honor that make this hallowed ground so special. 

Gary Gallagher is John L. Nau III Professor Emeritus in the History of the American Civil War at the University of Virginia. Thavolia Glymph is President-Elect of the American Historical Association and the Peabody Family Distinguished Professor of History and Law at Duke University. Andrew Masich is President and CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

For information on exploring Gettysburg and supporting the Gettysburg Foundation’s mission of education and preservation, visit GettysburgFoundation.org.