2023 News

The Gettysburg Foundation invites area residents and visitors to Gettysburg to “Fall Family Day at Spangler,” a free, one-day event from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. “Fall Family Day at Spangler” offers free admission and the opportunity for our local community and Gettysburg visitors to experience the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. Fall Family Day provides an educational time for families to experience history, explore the 80-acre historic site and make memories.

“We are glad to invite families and those who enjoy learning about history to explore the best-preserved corps-level field hospital from the Battle of Gettysburg on Fall Family Day,” said Paul Semanek, Spangler Farm Site Coordinator. “We are thankful for the living historians and local organizations who partner with us to help bring history to life and make this community event special for our guests during the Columbus Day weekend,” added Semanek.

Guests can interact with living historians on-site throughout the day:

• Civil War Historical Impressions: Living historians portray Union and Confederate soldiers, Gettysburg civilians, generals and surgeons. Guests can walk through the encampments on the grounds of the historic site, interact with the living historians and experience history come alive.
• Colonel Roberts: Living historians bring joyful teachings of the simple pleasures and way of life for families during this difficult period in American history. Doll making, period games, fashions and activities of the time are brought to life, demonstrating pastimes that helped heal the brokenhearted and mend the fabric of the American family way of life during the Civil War era.
• Summer Kitchen Demonstrations: Living historians present 19^th century domestic life during the American Civil War and highlight the uses of the herbs in the garden growing at the historic site.

Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (HGAC) presents historic barn preservation. HGAC interprets the design, construction and use of the iconic Pennsylvania Bank Barn and discusses the restoration that revived the historic barn.

Family-friendly programming, activities and offerings include stories about the civilian role during and after the battle and the Spangler family, information about Civil War medicine with a Civil War Wheeling (Rosecrans) ambulance reproduction on display, cannon demonstrations (without firing) and a treat from local favorite Mr. G’s Old-fashioned Ice Cream. Visitors to “Fall Family Day at Spangler” may drive to the property, located at 488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg, and park on-site.