2024 News

The Gettysburg Foundation invites area residents and Gettysburg visitors to Family Day at Spangler, a free, one-day event Saturday, May 25, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. Residents of the local community and visitors to Gettysburg have this springtime opportunity to explore the historic George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital with free admission on Family Day, a time when families can enjoy experiencing history, exploring the restored 80-acre historic site and making memories. Guests can interact with and learn from living historians and historic barn preservationists on-site throughout the day:

• Blue & Gray Hospital Association: Civil War living history and educational organization that teaches the public about Civil War medicine and the roles of caregivers, medical staff, orderlies and ambulance corpsman, as well as the civilian nurses and field relief.
• Battery B, 1^st Rhode Island Light Artillery: A historical unit that fought at the Battle of Gettysburg July 2 and 3, 1863, will have an encampment and discussions on the Battery’s campaigns with the Army of the Potomac and their role in Pickett’s Charge, as well as an artillery drill and Civil War music.
• 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.
• Historic Barn Preservation: Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (HGAC) interprets the design, construction and use of the iconic Pennsylvania Bank Barn and discusses the restoration that revived the historic barn.

“We are happy to invite the community and visitors to explore the best-preserved field hospital from the American Civil War. Memorial Day weekend is a wonderful time for folks to visit the site during the springtime before we reopen for the summer season in early June,” said Gettysburg Foundation Spangler Farm Site Coordinator Paul Semanek. “We are glad to partner with our living historians and local organizations to bring history alive and make this event special for our community and guests,” added Semanek.

Family-friendly programming, activities and offerings include interactive living history, Spangler family and civilian stories during and after the battle, Civil War medicine history 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 Family Day at Spangler may drive to the property, located at 488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg, where limited on-site parking will be available.