2024 News

The Gettysburg Foundation is pleased to announce additional program dates have been added to the popular program series An Evening with the Painting, an “after-hours” program on the historic Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. Upcoming dates include Saturdays, June 15 and 29, July 6 and 20 and Friday, July 12 from 5 until 7 p.m. Area residents and visitors to Gettysburg can purchase tickets to enjoy this special behind-the-scenes program for an exclusive, close-up look at the restored painting with a presentation that combines history, art and preservation.

Painted in the 1880s by French artist Paul Philippoteaux and a team of artists, the Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama is an immense work of art measuring 42 feet high and 377 feet long. The Gettysburg Cyclorama is one of the largest, free-standing paintings in North America. A rendition of "Pickett's Charge" on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the painting is suspended in-the-round from the ceiling. This massive piece of history creates a spectacular 360-degree, three-dimensional appearance when viewed from the platform.

An Evening with the Painting explores the history of the genre of cycloramas and the iconic Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama. The presentation covers the fascinating creation of this historic piece of art, the rich symbolism found in the painting and the extensive conservation effort to restore the canvas visitors experience today. Ticket holders enjoy extended time on the viewing platform to observe in full light the remarkable, close-up details and distant battle scenes depicted in the painting. Guests can journey under the diorama to get a better view of how the three-dimensional “illusion” comes alive. Time is provided for Q&A.

Limited to 40 attendees, each presentation offers ticket holders approximately two hours of programming. The program begins in the Ford Motor Company Fund Education Center and continues on the Cyclorama platform. The program is also scheduled to be offered on these select dates and times:

• Saturday, August 10, 5-7 p.m.
• Saturday, September 28, 5-7 p.m.
• Saturday, October 12, 5-7 p.m.
• Saturday, October 26, 5-7 p.m.
• Friday, November 15, 4-6 and 5-7 p.m.
• Friday, December 6, 4-6 p.m.

To purchase tickets for An Evening with the Painting, call the Gettysburg Foundation Guest Relations team at 717-334-2436 or visit GettysburgFoundation.org. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the Ticket Counter inside the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, Pa.