Exhibits.
Encounters.
Illuminations.
Start your Gettysburg journey at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center—your gateway to history.
As America commemorates its 250th anniversary this year, discover special exhibits, tours, programs and events that bring the nation’s story to life—on the battlefield, in the museum and beyond.
You are invited to include our special events on your itinerary to experience Gettysburg in new and memorable ways throughout the anniversary of the battle and America250 commemorations.
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You are invited to subscribe to our YouTube channel and view videos of select programming and events hosted by the National Park Service at Gettysburg and Gettysburg Foundation.
A Field of Remembrance
Carry Them Forward. Preserve the Ground.
Join us in remembrance now through Veterans Day and beyond.
Each flag sponsored is an act of remembrance, in memory of the more than 51,000 Americans killed, wounded, captured or missing during the Battle of Gettysburg, creating a field shaped entirely by the public choice to carry them forward and preserve the ground, one flag at a time. Your gift supports the Gettysburg Foundation’s preservation and education work with the National Park Service, helping preserve the places where Americans continue to confront sacrifice, citizenship and what democracy still requires. This work can be seen in preservation of the David Wills House and stewardship of the Eternal Light Peace Memorial. Learn more.
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An Evening with the Painting
Museum & Visitor Center
Ford Education Center | Cyclorama Platform
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 | 4-6 & 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026 | 4-6 p.m.
Explore the story behind the Gettysburg Cyclorama—from its origins as a powerful visual medium to the creation, symbolism and preservation of this renowned artwork. This immersive, after-hours program offers a behind-the-scenes, close-up look at one of the nation’s most significant works of 19th-century art, highlighting the careful conservation efforts that restored the Cyclorama to its original impact. Participants will enjoy exclusive platform access, an under-diorama perspective and an engaging, interactive discussion.
Read more about this extraordinary program.
Eisenhower Fall Home Tours
Eisenhower National Historic Site
250 Eisenhower Farm Lane, Gettysburg
Thursdays - Mondays, Through Oct. 26, 2026
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Free and open to the public
A visit to Gettysburg would not be complete without a visit to the home and farm of our 34th President Dwight D. and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. Enjoy a free tour of the home and grounds when you include Eisenhower National Historic Site on your Gettysburg itinerary.
- Home tours are first come, first served. Space may be limited depending on crowd sizes on the day of your visit.
- Visitors should check in at the on-site visitor contact station and reserve a spot before their home tour.
General visitor parking and accessible parking available. Grounds open sunrise to sunset. Groups of 10 or more should reserve tour times outside of regularly scheduled home tours.
Veterans Appreciation Day
Museum & Visitor Center
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Gettysburg Foundation continues a long tradition of honoring our nation's veterans with a special appreciation day.
U.S. military veterans are invited to enjoy complimentary admission to the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience. As always, active-duty U.S. military service members enjoy free admission to these experiences.
Proof of veteran or active duty status is required to obtain free admission tickets.
A Field of Remembrance
Commemorative Flag Installation & Display
Gettysburg National Military Park | Eternal Light Peace Memorial
Thursday, Nov. 12 - Monday, Nov. 23, 2026
Free & Open to the Public
Experience A Field of Remembrance as thousands of American flags surround the Eternal Light Peace Memorial in a moving display of memory.
Created by Gettysburg Foundation, the display commemorates the more than 51,000 Americans who were killed, wounded, captured or missing during the Battle of Gettysburg. Each sponsored flag represents remembrance of the fallen, supports our preservation and education work in partnership with the National Park Service and invites visitors to reflect on the human cost of the Civil War.
Walk among the flags, remember those affected by the battle and experience one of Gettysburg's most meaningful commemorations this year.
Flag sponsorships will be accepted through Veterans Day. Installation of the Field will take place Nov. 12. The rain date for installation is Nov. 13.
Special Opening of Gettysburg's Historic Station
Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad StationTM
35 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg
Saturday, Nov. 14 - Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Free and open to the public
This historic railroad station witnessed President Lincoln’s arrival, wartime recovery, generations of travelers and memorable stories. President Abraham Lincoln arrived at this station Nov. 18, 1863, the evening before delivering the Gettysburg Address at the National Cemetery dedication.
Explore exhibits highlighting the station’s wartime role and its broader significance to Gettysburg and the surrounding area. Interact with docents sharing stories, accounts and connections of the station in our nation's history.
Coffee with a Historian
Special Edition Presented by Dr. Carol Reardon
Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad StationTM
35 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026
9-10 a.m. | Covered Pavilion
Free and open to the public | No reservations necessary
Start your morning with conversation and connection at one of Gettysburg's most historic buildings.
Have a question you’ve never had the chance to ask? This is your moment. Skip the crowds and sit down for an informal discussion with historian Dr. Carol Reardon, where your curiosity guides the conversation. Join us at the historic station for a relaxed, hour-long chat.
Takes place under the covered pavilion. Coffee will be provided. Seating is limited. The special program is free and open to the public.
Special Opening of the David Wills House
David Wills House
8 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg
Monday-Thursday, Nov. 16-19, 2026
Free and open to the public
The home of Gettysburg attorney David Wills was the center of the immense clean-up process after the Battle of Gettysburg and where President Lincoln stayed and put the finishing touches on his Gettysburg Address, before dedication of the National Cemetery on Nov. 19, 1863.
Hours of operation:
- Nov. 16 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Nov. 17 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Nov. 18 | 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Nov. 19 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The David Wills House is currently closed and will reopen from Nov. 16-19, 2026, during commemoration activities.
Dedication Day Ceremony
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free and open to the public
To commemorate the 163rd anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and the 250th Anniversary of the United States, this year's Dedication Day ceremony will fully recreate President Abraham Lincoln's visit to Gettysburg, beginning with his arrival by train Nov. 18. This will follow on Nov. 19 with a recreation of the formal procession that will begin at the David Wills House, proceed down Baltimore Street and enter the Taneytown Road gate of Gettysburg National Cemetery.
10-11 a.m. | Depart the David Wills House, begin procession down Baltimore Street
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Ceremony in Gettysburg National Cemetery
Times are approximate
A Field of Remembrance Reception
Museum & Visitor Center
Friday, Nov. 20, 2026 | 5:30 p.m.
Join us for a special evening marking the culmination of A Field of Remembrance during America's 250th year.
The evening will feature a cocktail hour, the premiere of a short film telling the human stories behind the Field, and a program and conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Against the backdrop of Gettysburg and the Field of Remembrance, we will gather to reflect on what this place asks us to remember, why its stories still matter, and our responsibility to preserve them for future generations.
Reservations required.
Remembrance Day Illumination
Gettysburg National Cemetery
97 Taneytown Road, Gettysburg
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026
5:30-9:30 p.m. | Free and open to the public
Join us for the 24th Annual Remembrance Day Illumination on Saturday, Nov. 21 to commemorate the Gettysburg National Cemetery dedication of 1863. This solemn event features a luminary candle on all of the 3,512 Civil War soldiers' graves. Names of the fallen soldiers are read throughout the evening.
Sponsor your luminary candles in honor or memory of a loved one.
Volunteer opportunities are available to be involved in helping set up, reading the names of the Civil War soldiers and cleaning up at the end of the evening. Volunteer opportunities are limited and will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Contact Gettysburg Foundation by emailing Friends@GettysburgFoundation.org or calling 717-339-2163 to inquire about volunteer assignments.
Entry is at both the Baltimore Street and Taneytown Road entrances to the Cemetery. The event is dependent on favorable weather conditions.
Christmas Tours of the Eisenhower Home
Eisenhower National Historic Site
250 Eisenhower Farm Lane, Gettysburg
Saturdays & Sundays, Dec. 5-20, 2026
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Last entry 2 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Enjoy an Eisenhower Christmas with special tours of the historic Eisenhower home. Mamie's holiday touches bring the farmhouse alive with the spirit of the Christmas season.
Tours will meet in the on-site Welcome Center. Visitors should follow on-site signage. Last entry to the home is 2 p.m. on tour dates. Groups of 10 or more should visit Eisenhower National Historic Site's group reservation page to learn more or call Gettysburg Foundation at 717-334-2436 to make group reservations. Schedules are subject to change without notice.
Member Events
Mark Your Calendar | Make Your Reservations
Join us for Friends of Gettysburg 2026 events. Friends events are announced throughout the year.
- Remembrance Day Illumination | Nov. 21 | Sponsor your luminary candles in honor or memory of a loved one. Contact Gettysburg Foundation by emailing Friends@GettysburgFoundation.org or calling 717-339-2163 to inquire about volunteer assignments.
The heart of the Gettysburg Foundation, our Friends' volunteer efforts and donations support the Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service at Gettysburg in maintaining our mission of preservation and education. Learn more about becoming a member of the Friends of Gettysburg. Help our mission, become part of history and enjoy exclusive benefits, invitations, rates and discounts.
Select events are open to the public. Visit GettysburgFoundation.org/Friends to learn how you can become a First Corps level member to enjoy exclusive benefits, programming and sneak peeks.
Special Exhibit
A Rough Coarse Life: The World of the Civil War Soldier
Museum & Visitor Center
Gilder Lehrman Institute Special Exhibits Gallery
Artifacts, documents and works of art from the collections of Gettysburg National Military Park and the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia, offer a window into the lives, experiences and memories of those who struggled, suffered and survived a century and a half ago.
The special exhibit includes some artifacts never-before-seen on display and is included with your Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience ticket.
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Highway of Heroes
A collaboration among national and state historic parks, the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor and Pennsylvania destination marketing organizations, this effort coincides with the Commonwealth’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Now Through March 26, 2027
Free | Sign up and mobile check-in at each location required
Follow Pennsylvania’s historic Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30) from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh on the Highway of Heroes trail, featuring six sites that honor the nation’s legacy of courage, sacrifice, and freedom—including Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site
Visit all six sites to receive the 2026 Highway of Heroes commemorative coin set with display case, shipped directly to your mailing address. A coins set is on display at the Friends Desk in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center for visitors to view only.
Sign up and check in at each site using your mobile phone.