The Gettysburg Foundation hosted its Spring Muster 2023 event April 21-23. Nearly 300 Friends of Gettysburg from 21 states across the country participated in the three-day event at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center and on the Gettysburg battlefield.
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Gettysburg Foundation President & CEO Wayne E. Motts welcomes Friends to Spring Muster
National Park Service Rangers, Licensed Battlefield Guides and historians came together to present educational programs for our Friends on a variety of topics including the New York City Draft Riot of 1863, the Artillery on the Union Right at Gettysburg, the history of Chaplains during the Civil War and the Florida Brigade at Gettysburg.
Ranger Matt Atkinson opened the event on Friday evening to a completely sold-out crowd with his “Robert E. Lee and the Southern Mindset” program.
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Ranger Matt Atkinson presents to Spring Muster participants
The Foundation then hosted a dinner for participants on Saturday evening in the main lobby of the Museum & Visitor Center. Keynote Speaker Dr. Glenn LaFantasie told a heartfelt story about the Oates Brothers, William and John, fighting together at Little Round Top on July 2, 1863, and the challenges associated with finding out what happened to a loved one killed during the fighting and where their final remains might lay.
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Spring Muster dinner with Keynote Speaker Dr. Glenn LaFantasie
The Spring Muster weekend wrapped up with Sunday breakfast for First Corps members, with a sneak peek of the progress made with the Little Round Top rehabilitation project. After an uphill hike, participants were rewarded with fantastic views of the battlefield and Superintendent Steve Sims’ project updates of the ongoing rehabilitation.
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Superintendent Steve Sims shares Little Round Top rehabilitation updates with First Corps
The Foundation always looks forward to seeing our Friends of Gettysburg when they attend events, as they participate in volunteering and when they visit with us throughout the year.
The Friends of Gettysburg are the membership of the Gettysburg Foundation. The heart of the Gettysburg Foundation, through volunteer and fundraising efforts, the Friends help the National Park Service and the Foundation maintain the mission of preservation, improving the visitor experience and educating the public about the significance of Gettysburg.
While helping to maintain the Foundation’s mission, Friends members receive annual benefits, some of which include complimentary and special rates on admission to experiences offered by the Foundation; special rates on event reservations and tickets; invitations and special rates for exclusive programs; special discounts on shopping, dining and facilities rental to host events at the Museum & Visitor Center; discounts with some local merchants; and complimentary newsletter and calendar subscriptions.
For information about visiting Gettysburg, or how you can become a Friends of Gettysburg member, visit GettysburgFoundation.org or call 877-874-2478.