2024 News

The Gettysburg Foundation invites area residents and Gettysburg visitors to Family Day at Spangler, a free, one-day event Saturday, Aug. 31, 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 can explore the historic George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital with free admission on Family Day during the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Families and friends can enjoy experiencing history, exploring the preserved 80-acre historic site and making lasting memories. Guests can interact with and learn from living historians and historic barn preservationists on-site throughout the day:

• Officers for the Union and Ladies for the Union: Portraying officers who commanded and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg, living historians provide first-person impressions, discuss their role before, during and after the Battle of Gettysburg, and give details about military life from the officers’ perspectives. The ladies demonstrate unique home craft skills of the period (bobbin lace, hand sewing and bandbox making) and display home remedies, medical practices and children’s toys of the era. They highlight the importance of the home front during the Civil War, support and aid for soldiers, and the effect the war had on families and communities.
• 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 Activities: Hands-on activities and presentations on 19^th century herbal remedies, the herbal garden and 19^th century practices still being used today will take place in the restored summer kitchen.
• 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.

“The Labor Day holiday weekend is an excellent time for a visit to the historic site with family and friends late in the summertime,” said Gettysburg Foundation Spangler Farm Site Coordinator Paul Semanek. “We are happy to invite folks to explore the 80-acre site, enjoy family-friendly programming and participate in activities. We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with living historians and local organizations who help bring history alive for our guests during this special community event,” added Semanek.

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