2026 News

The Gettysburg Foundation invites local residents to attend Adams County Day on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, with free admission to the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center thanks to sponsorship by Barley Snyder Attorneys at Law. The day is designed to deepen local understanding of the Battle of Gettysburg and honor the community that lives among this nationally significant landscape.

“Adams County residents are stewards of this landscape every day,” said Jackie Spainhour, President and CEO of the Gettysburg Foundation. “Adams County Day is our way of saying thank you and offering neighbors a chance to revisit these stories with free access to the film, Cyclorama and museum exhibits. We hope this opportunity strengthens local connections to the history that surrounds us.”

Visitors begin with A New Birth of Freedom, the introductory film that sets the stage for understanding the 1863 battle. Then, guests experience the dramatic Gettysburg Cyclorama, a 377-foot, 360-degree painting depicting Pickett’s Charge, immersing audiences in the scale and intensity of battle. The Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War features 12 galleries and A Rough Coarse Life: The World of the Civil War Soldier special exhibit exploring soldiers’ experiences, challenges and resilience. These immersive experiences provide historical insight, powerful storytelling and a clear sense of how the battle and its aftermath shaped the nation and the local community.

Guests can also enjoy offerings throughout the Museum & Visitor Center, including:

• Spotlight on Local Artifacts: Rare items connected to Adams County highlight the community’s role in Gettysburg’s story.
• Lincoln Sculpture: A beloved photo spot, the bronze Abraham Lincoln sculpture welcomes guests and symbolizes Gettysburg’s legacy in preserving democracy.
• Eisenhower Exhibit Spotlight: Supported by the Pritzker Military Foundation, highlights Dwight D. Eisenhower’s life, leadership and Gettysburg home with First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.
• National Park Service Information Desk: Rangers are available for guests to learn more and obtain park maps.
• Friends of Gettysburg Desk: Learn about the Gettysburg Foundation’s preservation and education mission, in partnership with the National Parks at Gettysburg, and opportunities with the Friends of Gettysburg.
• Gettysburg Museum Book Store: Features titles by local authors, Civil War literature for all ages and unique Adams County-inspired keepsakes.
• Battlegrounds Café & Grille: Offers the local favorite—Adams County apple dumpling.

Adams County Day is available to all residents of Adams County, Pennsylvania, with valid proof of residency—driver’s license or state ID. The Museum & Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The last film/Cyclorama show begins at 3 p.m.

Extend Your Visit

A short drive away, Eisenhower National Historic Site, the home and farm of President Dwight D. and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, invites visitors to explore the grounds—gardens, teahouse exterior, skeet range, putting green and Angus cattle barns exterior—open daily from sunrise to sunset. While the Eisenhower home is currently closed for tours, the local community can learn more about the site by visiting nps.gov/eise/learn.