2024 News

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 2024 summer season. The historic site will continue to be open for the summer season of living history and programming on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 11. THE HISTORIC SITE IS CLOSED FRIDAY, AUG. 9 DUE TO UNFAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Visitors to the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital can see Civil War encampments, interact with living historians to learn about Civil War medicine and the role of surgeons and caregivers, hear stories of soldiers’ experiences, the humanity of citizens and the Spangler family, and discover the civilian role during and after the Battle of Gettysburg. Docents are available on-site to greet visitors and answer questions. Living historians from across the U.S. provide guests a glimpse of what happened here in 1863 and encamp on-site on weekends.

Aug. 2024: Friday, Saturday & Sunday Programming

• 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

Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (HGAC) will be on-site each Sunday. HGAC interprets the design, construction and use of the stunning expression of an iconic, vernacular architectural form—the Pennsylvania Bank Barn. HGAC will discuss the restoration of the George Spangler Farm in the past decade—from a dilapidated structure in danger of collapse to a visage of its original glory, which revived this important, tangible component of American history.

Aug. 2024 Living History Schedule

Aug. 2-4

• Society of Civil War Surgeons: Living historians portray Civil War surgeons demonstrating and discussing various surgical procedures, Civil War medicines and uses for soldiers who fell ill.
• Patriot Daughters of Lancaster: Ladies’ aid society from Lancaster, formed after the firing on Fort Sumter, to provide money, food, clothing, bandages and supplies for soldiers serving in local companies of Pennsylvania regiments. The ladies cared for the wounded at Christ Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg and held sanitary fairs and bazaars to raise money.
• Annabel’s Battery: 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. Civil War medicine and artillery demonstrations will be presented throughout the weekend.

Aug. 10-11 (CLOSED FRIDAY, AUG. 9 DUE TO UNFAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS)

• 150th PA Volunteer Infantry “Bucktail” Co. C&K: Living historians portray two of four companies recruited from Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and the personnel who served in the Hospital Department during the Civil War.
• 136th New York State Volunteers: Regimental field hospital based in Charlotte, North Carolina, demonstrates surgeries, nursing techniques and duties, with the use of mannequins and period instruments.
• The Healing: Conversations Between Nurses North & 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.
• 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.
• Dr. Bleecker Hovey: Dr. Bleecker Hovey’s surgeon kit that was used at the George Spangler Farm in 1863–still intact after 161 years–will be featured as part of the portrayal of Dr. Hovey who served alongside his wife and Nurse Marilla Hovey in the 11th Corps field hospital.

In addition to the programming, living history and encampments, visitors can view the cannon on-site and the Civil War medicinal garden near the summer kitchen and learn about the medicinal uses of the plants growing in the garden. Visitors to the historic site can also see a reproduction of a Civil War Wheeling (Rosecrans) ambulance wagon that was used to transport wounded soldiers.

Shuttles and admission to the historic site are included with the purchase of a Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience  ticket at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. Single shuttle and admission tickets are also available to visit the historic site. Friends of Gettysburg members receive complimentary shuttle/admission tickets during summer weekends. Shuttles depart 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 departs the historic site at 3:20 p.m. For shuttle and admission tickets, call the Gettysburg Foundation, 877-874-2478 or 717-334-2436, or visit GettysburgFoundation.org.