Experience “An Evening with the (Cyclorama) Painting” at the Gettysburg NMP in March and beyond

Experience “An Evening with the Painting”
at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
March 15, 2025

 Popular Program Offers an Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look
at the Historic Gettysburg Cyclorama Painting. 

 Gettysburg, Pa. (Feb. 18, 2025)— The Gettysburg Foundation invites members, visitors and the community to “An Evening with the Painting” Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. This after-hours program offers a rare, behind-the-scenes experience with the historic Gettysburg Cyclorama, combining history, art and preservation in an unforgettable evening.

  Painted in the 1880s by French artist Paul Philippoteaux and a team of assistants, the Cyclorama is an awe-inspiring 42-foot-high, 377-foot-long work of art. Depicting “Pickett’s Charge” on the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the painting is one of the largest oil-on-canvas works in North America. Suspended in-the-round, it creates a 360-degree, three-dimensional effect, immersing viewers in the intensity of the battle.

  “An Evening with the Painting” explores the history of cycloramas, the creation and symbolism of this extraordinary artwork, and the extensive restoration that brought the painting back to life. The program provides attendees with an extended viewing experience, including:

·       Close-up access to observe fine details and distant battle scenes on the Cyclorama platform.

·       An under-diorama view to see how the three-dimensional effect is created.

·       Interactive Q&A to engage directly with program experts.

  The evening begins at 5 p.m. in the Ford Education Center and continues on the Cyclorama platform, offering approximately two hours of programming. Tickets are limited to 40 participants per session, ensuring an intimate and enriching experience.

  Program dates are also offered on the following schedule in 2025:

 Saturday, April 12, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, July 19, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, May 24, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 5-7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14, 4-6 & 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, July 5, 5-7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10, 5-7 p.m.

Ticket reservations for “An Evening with the Painting” are available by calling the Gettysburg Foundation Guest Relations team at 717-334-2436 or by visiting 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. Friends of Gettysburg receive a member rate when purchasing tickets for this program. The Gettysburg Foundation is the official non-profit partner of the National Park Service at Gettysburg. Proceeds from ticket purchases benefit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.

Your History Is Under Threat — Help Us Defend It

“We have not yet begun to fight.”

Those powerful words, spoken by Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones, echoed across the chaos of battle when surrender seemed inevitable. His ship was sinking. His crew was battered. But his spirit? Unbroken.

Today, we face a battle of our own—not with cannons and muskets, but with petitions, court filings, and the unwavering determination to defend America’s sacred ground.

The historic Manassas Battlefield, where soldiers fought and fell during the Civil War, is under siege—not by armies, but by corporations eager to build the world’s largest data center campus.

Thirty-seven massive data centers sprawling over land three times the size of Disneyland, threaten to smother the very ground where American history was written.

This isn’t just any land.

It’s where the Second Battle of Manassas raged in 1862—a battle that saw unimaginable courage and devastating loss. One historian described part of the battlefield as a “whirlpool of death,” where entire regiments were nearly wiped out. The 21st Georgia, for example, lost 184 of its 242 men in a single night.

We cannot allow their sacrifice to be buried under concrete and steel.

And it isn't just Manassas; the Wilderness, Brandy Station and many other battlefields are also threatened.

That’s why the American Battlefield Trust has filed an appeal with the Virginia Court of Appeals to overturn the reckless decision that greenlit this development.

But this legal battle is fierce, and we cannot win it alone. We need your help in holding the line against impinging development!

Here’s how you can stand with us today:

  SIGN THE PETITION urging Virginia’s leaders to protect our historic battlefields.

 MAKE A GIFT to fuel our legal fight and advocacy efforts.

This is more than a lawsuit. It’s a stand against the erosion of our history. It’s about honoring the soldiers who gave everything—and ensuring future generations can walk these fields, reflect on the past, and understand the price of freedom.

“We have not yet begun to fight.”

Those words remind us that even when the odds are stacked against us, courage and conviction can prevail. That’s the spirit we’re channeling today.

Will you join us?

With determination and gratitude,

David N. Duncan, President

American Battlefield Trust

P.S. The corporations behind this development have deep pockets and powerful lawyers. But we have something stronger: people like you who believe that history is worth fighting for. Please donate today and help us protect America’s sacred ground.

SIGN THE PETITION

DONATE NOW

America’s Best Idea Needs Your Help

February 16, 2025
A message from the Board of Directors  of the Civil War Roundtable of Eastern Pa., Inc .
For almost 50 years, the Civil War Roundtable has been dedicated to the fight of preserving American battlefield land and the legacy of our nation’s defining conflict. The following opinion piece by Ryan Quint expresses a concern we share for the future of the park service, and in particular the battlefields whose preservation we work to support. We are therefore grateful to Emerging Civil War for its recently published post, which we share for your consideration.

From Emerging Civil War by Ryan Quint

Posted on February 15, 2025

This is the story of a park ranger who, in their time with the National Park Service, gave innumerable tours for school kids of all ages. Their approachable demeanor, kindness, and thoroughness was noticed time and time again in subsequent emails sent from grateful teachers. This same park ranger also resonated with individuals who came to the park seeking to connect with the past. One thankful visitor wrote afterwards: “The presentations. . . were outstanding. You can tell that each person there has a passion for our history and telling its story.”

This is the story of a park ranger who spent years as an intern and a seasonal before finally getting a permanent position. Besides being an interpreter, this park ranger undertook training to get red carded—a status meaning to be qualified to fight wildfires. This duty was not required of them—it was a voluntary collateral, undertaken because this person wanted to help.

This is the story of a park ranger who has been interviewed for numerous documentaries as a subject matter expert. . .

. . . all three people were fired yesterday. They were three out of almost 1,000 employees let go from the National Park Service—not because they were underperforming or not necessary, but because they were probationary employees. Their only shortcoming was being individuals with less than one full year in permanent status. To be clear, these people were not new hires—they have dedicated years of their lives as interns or seasonals to get to this point, to get one of the extremely hard and rare attainable goals of a permanent park ranger.

Why should this matter to readers at ECW? At some sites, nearly entire interpretive staffs were wiped out. Employees like the three above staff the visitor centers that millions of visitors a year flock to. They give the tours that introduce people to the resources that make these places so valuable to us as a national identity. They check the junior ranger booklets that are going to ignite the spark for kids to become the next generation of historians and caretakers of these special places. They research and reveal stories hitherto hidden for generations. They are, to put it mildly, not becoming generationally wealthy doing this work.

A park ranger with the National Park Service interacts with the public and shows reproductions of Civil War era items. (Courtesy of NPS)

A park ranger with the National Park Service interacts with the public and shows reproductions of Civil War era items. (Courtesy of NPS)

These firings will undoubtedly have an impact on visitor services in the months and years to come. They already have. More and more sites will have fewer and fewer staff. Opening hours will be slashed to accommodate the lack of proper and safe staffing levels. These impacts will be felt across the gamut of sites within the National Park Service—from battlefields and monuments, caves and calderas, forests and parkways.

National Parks have been touted as “America’s best idea.” When the service was created in 1916 its enabling legislation called to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” But those parks are hurting right now, and desperately needs its friends and defenders to call out for aid. Not just for the three rangers at the top of this piece, but for all of us, to abide by that last clause— “the enjoyment of future generations.”

The opinions in this piece are only the author’s and do not reflect the views of any employer past or present. 

Victory: 86 Acres of Battlefield Land Preserved at Wyse Fork, N.C.

Battlefield preservation requires tireless effort and support from numerous channels, but there is no better feeling than when that hard work ensures our nation’s history and the bravery of the soldiers who fought and died on that land will not be forgotten. 

We at the American Battlefield Trust are incredibly excited to announce 86 acres of hallowed ground, from two adjacent properties, have been preserved at Wyse Fork, ahead of the battle’s 160th anniversary. Key areas of the site that saw North Carolina’s second largest battle will live on forever, allowing people to deeply understand the importance of the battlefield.

Without our friends and partners, our goal of saving this land would not have been possible, and you have our sincerest thanks. 

The Battle of Wyse Fork

In late February 1865, Union Gen. John M. Schofield advanced inland from Wilmington in an effort to link up with Sherman's troops advancing into North Carolina. Schofield ordered Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox to move his XXIII Corps from New Berne toward Goldsboro. However, Cox’s advance was blocked by Confederate divisions under Gen. Braxton Bragg at Southwest Creek just east of Kinston, NC. 

The armies clashed from March 8-10, 1865, less than two months prior to the Civil War’s conclusion. Bragg tried to wrest the initiative from the Federals by attacking their flanks on the March 8. After initial success, the Southern attacks stalled. Union reinforcements arrived the next day, just in time to repulse Bragg’s renewed attacks. After heavy fighting and unable to dislodge Cox, Bragg withdrew across the Neuse River. The Union victory saw over 2,600 combined casualties. 

In recent years, a new bypass of U.S. Highway 70 was proposed through the core battlefield area threatening any future preservation. The Trust and our partners were vocal in raising concerns about how this development would destroy history and shifting it to the east would be a viable alternative. This preservation project and its use of grants from the North Carolina State Capital Infrastructure Fund and the American Battlefield Protection Program is a powerful demonstration of the work that will remain possible through our preferred win-win solution.

We can only fulfill our mission at the Trust through the stalwart support of our friends and donors. Our victories are your victories.

‘Til the battle is won. 

David N. Duncan
President
American Battlefield Trust

Interview with ACHS's Andrew Dalton about Shriver House Acquisition

Emerging Civil War

By Chris Mackowski on January 8, 2025

The Adams County Historical Society (ACHS) in Gettysburg announced a major acquisition this week. The ACHS has assumed ownership and management of the renowned Shriver House Museum, located in the heart of historic downtown.

“This expansion will unite two institutions with a shared commitment to preserving and illumination Gettysburg's civilian experience during one of the most pivotal moments in American history,” said ACHS Executive Director Andrew Dalton.

ECW has an exclusive interview with Andrew about the new acquisition:

https://emergingcivilwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Shriver-House-Andrew-Dalton.mp4

Death of Mort Künstler (1927-2025) Artist Portraying the Civil War

February 7, 2025 by Gettysburg Connection

Mort Künstler, renowned as America’s most prominent historical artist, passed away on February 2, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Rockville Centre, New York. He was 97 years old.

During a career that spanned seven decades, he will perhaps be remembered most for his realistic and detailed paintings of the Civil War. Born into a European Jewish family (some sources state his birth year as 1931), his interest in drawing was sparked during his youth. While attending Brooklyn College, he focused on sports and excelled in football, track & field, and swimming. He studied at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Pratt Institute.

An excursion to Mexico on a motorcycle with a classmate led to further experience painting, and after graduation, he landed a position at New York’s Neeley Associates Illustration Studio.

Künstler became a freelance artist and found work for various men’s adventure magazines, in addition to artwork for paperbacks. This led to opportunities with The Saturday Evening Post and National Geographic Magazine. During the 1970s, he produced movie posters for the motion pictures The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and The Taking of Pelham, One Two, Three (1974). His Civil War artwork became official U.S. postage stamps during the 1990s. In 2011, his portrayal of George Washington crossing the Delaware River was unveiled. His works are displayed in museums nationwide, as well as in Canada and Europe.

In 1982, a commission for CBS-TV’s miniseries The Blue and the Gray ignited Künstler’s interest in the Civil War. By 1988, he focused almost exclusively on Civil War subjects, earning him the title of “most collected Civil War artist in America.” His dedication to authenticity led him to consult with historians and visit battlefields, ensuring each painting was a faithful representation of history.

Künstler’s work was showcased in numerous exhibitions, including the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Nassau County Museum of Art. His 1998 exhibition at the Nassau County Museum attracted over 30,000 visitors, surpassing previous attendance records. His artwork was prominently featured in Gettysburg through exhibitions and local galleries, including King James Galleries, which regularly displayed and sold his pieces.

Beyond the Civil War, his art encompassed events like the Oklahoma Land Rush and the experiences of immigrants at Ellis Island, reflecting his ability to humanize historical moments. His legacy is one of dedication to historical accuracy and artistic excellence. His paintings continue to educate and inspire, offering viewers a window into America’s past.

Vandalism At Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

NPS Is Investigating Vandalism At Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

As Published in NationAl Parks Traveller

Compiled from NPS Releases January 30, 2025

The Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Visitor Center / NPS

The National Park Service is investigating a troubling act of vandalism and theft at Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in Kentucky. Park staff recently discovered that wood siding had been stripped from a historic barn near Highway 235 in Nancy, Kentucky—an act that not only damages an irreplaceable piece of history but also violates federal law. NPS law enforcement is working closely with local authorities to track down those responsible for this senseless destruction.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Mill Springs Battlefield administrative office at 606-636-4045.

The mission of the National Park Service is to protect and preserve sites like Mill Springs Battlefield so future generations can learn from and experience them. This crime undermines that mission, and in response, the park has now implemented 24-hour surveillance across all NPS-owned lands and structures within the monument.

Visitors are reminded that the battlefield and its trails are open from dawn to dusk year-round, but motor vehicles are strictly limited to designated roads and parking areas. All vehicles must be removed from the Zollicoffer Park and Visitor Center parking lots before closing. While walking the grounds is encouraged, driving onto the battlefield or other protected areas is prohibited. All outdoor areas are closed from sunset to sunrise to prevent further damage or unauthorized access.

Preserving a site of such historical significance requires the respect and cooperation of everyone who visits. The National Park Service urges the public to help safeguard this landmark and report any suspicious activity.

Stories about:

• Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

The "Hardest Test in History" - Gettysburg Battlefield Guide

The Wall Street Journal recently ran an article which it entitled, “Civil War Buffs Drill For the “Hardest Test in History.”

James Fenelli described in a December 5t, 2024 what it takes to be a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park.He writes that the test has gained “mythic status among Civil War buffs for its degree of difficulty and slim passing rate.”

Hopefuls have even moved from out of state in order to study on site and gained the knowledge about all aspects of the battle, and events leading up to and following theose three days in July 1863.

The Journal said the urge to become a guide develops in many people when they are youngsters and become fascinated with the batle and its impact on United States history.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTCLE

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A TIK-TOK VIDEO released by the Journal

What’s Happening at Gettysburg's Lincoln Cemetery

From Gettysburg Connections
January 16, 2025 by Community Contributors

 As many in our community know, Lincoln Cemetery has been a well-kept secret for years. This historic Black cemetery, established in 1867, is located behind the emergency room entrance of WellSpan Hospital in Gettysburg.

For many years, Lincoln Cemetery was under the dedicated care and leadership of Mrs. Betty Dorsey Myers. However, due to health challenges, Mrs. Myers could no longer serve as the cemetery’s historian and caretaker. Alongside Jean Howard Green, Mrs. Myers was one of the last two individuals overseeing the cemetery’s care. As Mrs. Myers’ health declined, Jean stepped up to honor her promise to safeguard the cemetery’s legacy.

In 2023, Jean Howard Green established a new 10-member board for the Lincoln Cemetery Project Association (LCPA). This board includes individuals from diverse backgrounds, including descendants of those buried at the cemetery. Initially, the board met monthly to strategize and organize, but now it meets quarterly to review progress and plan for the future.

Key Accomplishments and Updates

1.    Restoration of the Rostrum: Repairs have been completed on the rostrum, where loose bricks were resecured to the cement structure.

2.    Tree Removal: An 80-year-old fallen spruce tree was safely removed.

3.    Gate Repainting: Interior gates surrounding private graves have been restored and repainted.

4.    Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): A survey identified graves of individuals without headstones.

5.    Grave Markers for the Unknown: Markers for 136 previously unmarked graves have been ordered and will replace the orange flags currently in place. They are expected to arrive in March 2025.

6.    Continued Programs: LCPA has reinstated and maintained traditional programs:

1.    Annual Memorial Day Program: Held on the Sunday before Memorial Day, allowing attendees to honor both this and the Gettysburg National Military Park’s program.

2.    Remembrance Day Program: Held each year on the same day as the Gettysburg Remembrance Day Parade to honor the United States Colored Troops.

7.    Ownership and Historic Recognition: LCPA has officially acquired ownership of Lincoln Cemetery. On June 4, 2024, Jean Howard Green accepted the nomination for Lincoln Cemetery to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. One final stage remains for completion.

8.    Signage and Accessibility: New signage displays cemetery rules, regulations, and open-day schedules. A brochure box has been installed at the main entrance on Lincoln Lane.

9.    Special Tours: The cemetery is open on special occasions such as Independence Day and Juneteenth. Guided tours are available between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM, or by appointment. Donations are welcomed.

10.      Online Presence: Visit us at lincolncemeterygettysburg.org or on Facebook at Lincoln Cemetery at Gettysburg. You can also contact us via email at lincolncemeteryassociation@gmail.com.

11.      Collaboration with ACHS: LCPA and the Adams County Historical Society are partnering to create a new Black History Museum in Gettysburg. The museum will be housed in the historic Hopkins House on South Washington Street. More updates on this exciting project will be shared as it progresses.

Call for Volunteers and Gratitude

We are seeking volunteers to help place the “Unknown” grave markers when they arrive. If you’re interested in contributing, please contact us via email.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported our programs and to those who generously donated to Lincoln Cemetery through the 2024 Giving Spree. Your support means so much to us!

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our mission to preserve and celebrate the history of Lincoln Cemetery.

Sincerely,
Jean Howard Green
President, Lincoln Cemetery Project Association

Fort Pulaski National Monument Gains OK To Improve Visitor Services

From National Parks Traveler Jan 13, 2025

Fort Pulaski National Monument in Georgia has been given the final OK to move forward with improvements to visitor services and facilities.

The Development Concept Plan and Environmental Assessment will provide Fort Pulaski with a consistent planning framework. Selected actions include: 

• Establish new desired conditions for visitor use and experience, natural and cultural resources, and facilities and infrastructure.

• Relocate the entrance station and widen the entrance road.

• Improve visitor center parking and visitor safety.

• Improve picnic area Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) accessibility.

• Relocate Volunteer-In-Parks (VIP) campsites and construct a new building for maintenance, resource programs, and law enforcement staff and equipment.

The plan/Environmental Assessment also establishes visitor capacities for Cockspur Island. The signed FONSI and final DCP/EA can be found here.

For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority over these forts. Using rifled cannons, the U.S. Army compelled the Confederate garrison inside Fort Pulaski to surrender. The siege was a landmark experiment in the history of military science and invention.

Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on U.S. Highway 80, 15 miles east of Savannah.