2023 News

National Park Service staff will commemorate the events of 1943 during Eisenhower National Historic Site’s 2023 World War II Weekend event. The theme for this year’s weekend event is “1943: America at War.” The year 1943 saw the American people take part in a global struggle against fascism and tyranny, joining together with Allies abroad to provide the material, manpower and leadership needed to fight the Axis powers during World War II.  From Sept. 15-17, National Park Service rangers, guest speakers, living historians and partner organizations will bring the stories of 1943 to life through three days of programming and interactive activities for visitors of all ages.

A family interacts with a living historian during World War II Weekend. National Park Service photo.

Craig Symonds, Ph.D.

World War II Weekend features an evening keynote program with Craig Symonds, Ph.D., America’s preeminent naval historian. Programming also includes a 1943 themed living history encampment, a family activity tent with a functioning WWII dog tag machine, guest speakers and authors at Eisenhower National Historic Site, special exhibits in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center and ranger-led walking tours at the Gettysburg National Cemetery. The complete World War II Weekend event schedule, including speaker biographies, can be found by visiting Eisenhower National Historic Site online.

Note: On Friday, Sept. 15, Eisenhower National Historic Site will be closed to visitation while staff facilitates event set-up. Only event participants and staff will be on-site that day. No house tours or guided tours of the Eisenhower site will occur. The Friday evening cemetery walk and keynote program will take place off-site.
 
Keynote Presentation
Friday, Sept. 15 | 7 p.m.
Kinsley Theater | Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
Craig Symonds will discuss two pivotal leaders of 1943: General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Admiral Chester Nimitz. Both men faced daunting challenges in the European and Pacific Theaters 80 years ago. Their successes of 1943 were instrumental in paving the way for Allied victories in both theaters of the war. Symonds will be signing copies of his latest book, Nimitz at War, following the presentation. 

The Friday evening presentation is free with a required ticket. Tickets are available on the Gettysburg Foundation's website.

World War II Tour of Gettysburg National Cemetery
Friday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 17 | 5-6 p.m.
Taneytown Road entrance to Gettysburg National Cemetery
Park rangers will offer guided walking tours of Gettysburg National Cemetery, exploring the stories of the 590 fallen World War II soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen buried here. The programming focuses on stories relevant to 1943.

Living History Encampment and House Tours of the Eisenhower Home
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday, Sept. 17 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Visitors can explore a living history encampment featuring American and Allied units, as well as groups depicting life on the homefront. Park rangers will lead guided walking tours of the camp throughout the weekend, focusing on major events and themes from 1943. On Saturday, several authors will be featured at the speaker’s tent, including Andrew Biggio, Jared Frederick, Anne Keene and David Chrisinger. The presentations will accompany book signings at a pop-up book store on-site. Park staff and living historians will also provide interactive activities at our Family Education Tent, including a special World War II Weekend Family Activity Booklet. Those completing the booklet can visit our enlistment station and earn their very own World War II style dog tag.

Visit Eisenhower National Historic Site online for the complete schedule of programming. Sunday’s programming features a World War II veteran meet and greet opportunity.

Special Exhibits with the Naval heritage Command Center, U.S. Museum of the Navy and the National Museum of the Marine Corps
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m., & Sunday, Sept. 17 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
Tours of the Eisenhower home will also be offered throughout the weekend.

Community Events:

Thursday, Sept. 14
The Majestic Theater will show a screening of Casablanca, one of the greatest films of all-time. Guests can journey back to the 1940s to see Humphrey Bogart light up the silver screen in this classic film that debuted in January 1943.

Saturday, Sept. 16
The World War II American Experience museum in Gettysburg will host a USO-style swing dance.

How to visit Eisenhower National Historic Site during World War II Weekend: 

• Weather permitting, free on-site parking for passenger vehicles only will be available at Eisenhower National Histsoric Site in a farm field accessible from Emmitsburg Road, Business Route 15. For GPS, use 250 Eisenhower Farm Road.
• Shuttle buses depart every half hour from the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, located at 1195 Baltimore Pike, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17. A shuttle ticket is required and a shuttle fee applies. Visit the Gettysburg Foundation website or call 877-874-2478 to make shuttle ticket reservations. 
• Bus groups should plan to use the shuttle system. Accessible parking is located at the Museum & Visitor Center with access to the site via the shuttle. Limited accessible parking is available at Eisenhower National Historic Site.

Note: On Friday, Sept. 15, Eisenhower National Historic Site will be closed to visitation while staff facilitates event set-up. Only event participants and staff will be on-site that day. No house tours or guided tours of the Eisenhower site will occur. The Friday evening cemetery walk and keynote program will take place off-site.

World War II Weekend at Eisenhower National Historic Site. National Park Service photo.

All National Park Service World War II Weekend programming is free of charge. A fee applies to shuttle tickets for shuttles departing the Museum & Visitor Center Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17. Outdoor programs are weather dependent.

Weather modifications information:

• In the event of thunderstorm or tornado warnings, or a heat index more than 105 degrees, all programs will be canceled.
• In the event of a heat index more than 91 degrees, programs will be shortened and modified.

Read the National Park Service's press release.