2023 News

The Gettysburg Foundation is pleased to partner with local organizations, historians and authors to offer area residents and visitors to Gettysburg family-friendly programming at Children of Gettysburg 1863^® on select dates throughout the summer 2023. Some of the summertime event series continue into the fall months.

Open daily, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. for the summer season through Oct. 14, Children of Gettysburg 1863^® is an interactive children’s history museum adventure with the following upcoming special programming and events:

Mommy & Me Summer Program Series | Tuesdays & Thursdays, Now through Aug. 10, 2023 | 10 a.m.-Noon & 1-3 p.m. | Inside Museum Ticket holders can participate with local historians Danza Antiqua as they present a series of historical art activities enjoyed by children and adults during the Civil War era. Children and youth can view demonstrations, interact with the artists and try the activities each day. Guests learn the history of each fiber art and its traditional methods and can take information home to continue the featured art forms, such as handmade dolls, Civil War era hand quilting, Native American beading, Pennsylvania Dutch handtuch embroidery, bobbin lace, hand knitting and Pennsylvania German fraktur. This series is best for children and youth ages 8 to 12 along with their adult parent, guardian or caregiver. Space is limited during each session. Museum ticket required.

Pop Up History | Saturdays, Now through Oct. 15, 2023 | 10 a.m.-Noon & 1-3 p.m. | Front Porch | Free and open to the public Visitors can interact with local living historians and experience the everyday life of Gettysburg citizens—children and families just like you—during the Civil War era. Or learn about the life of a Civil War soldier and train to be a soldier in the Union Army. Learn and participate in Civil War era activities such as household crafts, school day activities, drill master demonstrations, Victorian era art forms and music.

Pajama Storytime Around the Campfire | Tuesdays, July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19, 2023 | 6:30-7 p.m. | Side Yard | Free and open to the public An Adams County Library Event co-sponsored by the Gettysburg Foundation, Pajama Storytime offers area residents and visitors to Gettysburg the opportunity to gather with family and friends for a relaxing story time for all ages, with books for grades K-1, around the campfire. Stories will be read and campfire songs will be sung at this outdoor event. In the event of inclement weather, story time will move indoors.

Then & Now: The Importance of Horses | Saturday, July 22, 2023 | 10 a.m.-Noon | Outdoors | Free and open to the public Visitors can meet a few members of the Shining Stars Therapeutic Ministries herd of miniature horses. Shining Stars Therapeutic Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving local communities, providing therapeutic horsemanship programs to children, adults and families with special needs to help improve the physical, mental, emotional and social areas of their lives. At this event, visitors can learn about the role of Cavalry horses and their care during the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as modern day horse care of the miniature horses.

Childrens Authors & Book Signings | Saturday, July 29, 2023 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Side Yard | Free and open to the public | Books available to purchase Families are invited to meet local authors of children’s books at the children’s history museum for a book signing. Various titles and topics that will take readers on countless adventures will be available for purchase and signing. Meet authors Shirl Knobloch, Linda Clark, Alan Loewen, Gina Giordano, Gregory Christianson and Robert Jones during this book signing event.

Living History Encampment & Candlelight Talk | Saturdays & Sundays, Aug. 12-13 and Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2023 | Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & 8 p.m. Talk and Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Side Yard | Free and open to the public The public is invited to interact with living historians with Officers for the Union & Ladies for the Union in their weekend encampments. Officers for the Union feature first-person impressions of officers who commanded and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. Ladies for the Union feature the importance of the home front, with demonstrations of home craft skills, medical displays, remedies and practices of the Civil War era. On Saturday, Officers for the Union will present an informal talk on their roles during and after the 1863 battle in their candle lit encampment from 8 until 9 p.m. From audience questions, each officer will discuss aspects of his military role and personal life.

Carlisle Brass Band Concert | Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 | 3-4 p.m. | Side Yard | Free and open to the public The Carlisle Brass Band will perform brass band music during a free open-air concert, sharing a repertoire of marches and patriotic selections. Directed by David Knott, the ensemble plays all-brass music in the British tradition of brass bands and has been performing music since 1900. Guests should bring their own lawn chairs for seating to enjoy the open-air concert, which is weather permitting.

Then & Now: Historical Tanning & Leather Works | Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 | 10 a.m.-Noon | Side Yard | Free and open to the public Gettysburg Foundation is pleased to host Eric Mohney with Von Dettum and Company presenting the history of tanning. In 1863, John Rupp owned and operated a tannery on the property that is now home to Children of Gettysburg 1863® in downtown Gettysburg. Visitors can learn about the historical tanning industry and leather working through Mohney’s presentations and demonstrations.

Civil War Historical Impressions | Saturdays & Sundays, Sept. 16-17, 2023 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Side Yard | Free and open to the public Living historians portray Union and Confederate soldiers, generals, surgeons and Gettysburg civilians. Guests can interact with the living historians in their Civil War encampments where they bring history to life. Outdoor encampments with living history are subject to favorable weather conditions.

Located at 451 Baltimore Street in downtown Gettysburg, the interactive children’s history museum tells the engaging stories of children, teens and young adults who lived in and near the town of Gettysburg during and after the Battle of Gettysburg. Visitors can experience history as they journey through the galleries and hear first-hand accounts from numerous young residents from 1863 including William Bayly, Albertus McCreary, Sadie Bushman and Tillie Pierce.

Admission tickets for the museum adventure are currently free for children/youth ages 12 and younger when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets are available by phone, 717-334-2436, online at GettysburgFoundation.org/Children-of-Gettysburg-1863, at the Ticket Counter inside the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg and on-site at Children of Gettysburg 1863^®.