2026 News

More than 230 volunteers joined the National Park Service and Gettysburg Foundation in June for Volunteer Work Day, contributing to the preservation of historic resources at Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.

"From the battlefield at Gettysburg to President Eisenhower's farm and home, these historic places are preserved through the dedication of people who care deeply about their future," said Barbara Sardella, interim president and CEO of Gettysburg Foundation. "We are grateful to every volunteer who joined us to help protect these national treasures and support the experiences that connect visitors to our shared history."

Volunteers from around the country participated in the event, traveling from a total of 23 states, according to Jaimee Umstattd, Manager of Volunteers, Friends Desk and Retail of Gettysburg Foundation.

At Gettysburg National Military Park, volunteers assisted with projects, including trail maintenance, vegetation management, fence building and cemetery headstone lettering restoration.

Nearly 100 volunteers dedicated their time to helping preserve Eisenhower National Historic Site. 

Among the projects, volunteers cleaned the former President’s 1942 Ford F-Series farm truck, providing a rare opportunity to care for a historic artifact in the site’s collection.

Specified by the National Park Service, projects like fence repairs and painting, historic structure cleaning and tasks allowed volunteers to contribute directly to the preservation of nationally significant historic resources.

Volunteers can see tangible outcomes of their hard work and can share their accomplishments with others, according to Erin Pearce, Programs Administrator of Gettysburg Foundation.

“We love being able to give them the opportunity to be proud of the work they do here,” said Pearce. 

The impact of the work completed by volunteers also endures through generations. 

Ezra, one of the youngest volunteers this year, said he felt that he was able to “be a part of helping history” and to “keep learning about it.” 

Many volunteers bring the whole family to attend the annual Volunteer Work Day.

“Some of the volunteers from the Friends of Gettysburg save the date of the first Saturday of every June to ensure they can participate,” said Bethany Yingling, Friends Membership Program Manager of Gettysburg Foundation. “They become a part of the history when they volunteer here, and that is a different feeling than hearing about the history.”

Volunteers have ample opportunities to attend and support the parks in addition to the annual Volunteer Work Day. World War II Weekend at Eisenhower National Historic Site takes place Sept. 18-20, 2026, and the Remembrance Day Illumination of the soldiers’ graves at Gettysburg National Cemetery will take place Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026.

Gettysburg Foundation hosts the annual Volunteer Work Day in partnership with the National Park Service. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year through Gettysburg Foundation. The public can learn more and apply to become a volunteer by visiting GettysburgFoundation.org/Volunteer.