PCN to Air 2026 Gettysburg Battlewalks Coverage

PCN to Air 2026 Gettysburg Battlewalks Coverage 

Viewers can stream every moment live and on demand,
with a limited-time 25% discount on an annual PCN Select subscription. 

CAMP HILL, PA – [6/29/2026] – PCN returns to Gettysburg with live and on-demand coverage of the annual Battlewalks, airing Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 on cable and streaming through PCN Select. 

Following park rangers from Gettysburg National Military Park, the three-day series marks the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and features nine guided Battlewalks, exploring key moments and locations from the historic battlefield. 

2026 Gettysburg Battlewalks Coverage Schedule 

Wednesday, July 1 

• John B. Gordon’s Brigade, July 1, 1863  

• “The Defiant Fist:” Stone’s Brigade on July 1, 1863  

• This Hallowed Ground: The Changing Landscape of the Soldiers' National Cemetery 

Thursday, July 2 

• “They Blindly Plied the Work of Slaughter:” The 19th Massachusetts at the Battle of Gettysburg  

• The Real High Water Mark? Ambrose Wright’s Brigade on July 2, 1863  

• “Our men went down like leaves in the autumn wind:” Avery’s North Carolinians Attack Cemetery Hill 

Friday, July 3 

• A Most Severe and Terrible Fire: The bombardment on the afternoon of July 3 

• “Rally, boys and go over that fence!” – The 11th Mississippi in Pettigrew’s Charge 

• The Union's "Stone Wall" Division: Alexander Hays and the Repulse of Longstreet's Assault 

Viewers can stream on-demand with PCN Select or watch on PCN. 

For a limited time, PCN is offering 25% off an annual PCN Select subscription from Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 at 11:59 PM. Code GETTY26 unlocks full access to Gettysburg coverage and PCN’s extensive library of Pennsylvania programming for 25% less! 

About PCN 

PCN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit television network dedicated to educating, connecting, and celebrating Pennsylvania’s past, present, and future through streaming platforms and cable television. PCN ensures Pennsylvanians have access to unfiltered content that reflects their communities' daily lives and interests. 

From the state’s rich history and cultural significance to current events like the PIAA Championships and direct access to state government, PCN delivers content that informs and engages. Viewers can watch PCN on cable television in Pennsylvania, live, or on demand through PCN Select, available online at PCNSelect.com, or by downloading the app on mobile devices, Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku. 

For more information, visit pcntv.com. 

Rare Display of Alonzo Cushing’s Medal of Honor Opens July 1 at the Gettysburg NMP

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (June 24, 2026) — First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing’s Medal of Honor will be on exhibit at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center July 1–5, 2026. This rare display coincides with the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, offers visitors a unique opportunity to reflect on Cushing's sacrifice where it occurred and provides them with the opportunity to view the nation’s highest military decoration awarded to one of Gettysburg’s most recognized Union officers.

Born on Jan. 19, 1841, in Delafield, Wisconsin, and raised in Fredonia, New York, Cushing entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1857 and graduated with the Class of 1861. After graduating, Cushing was commissioned as a First Lieutenant. During the Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863), he assumed command of Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery, serving with the Army of the Potomac’s II Corps.

At Gettysburg, Cushing and his battery of six 3-inch Ordnance rifles took position with General Alexander S. Webb's brigade on July 2, 1863. They were engaged throughout the day and again on July 3 as Confederate forces opened a two-hour artillery bombardment that preceded the assault known as Pickett's Charge. Wounded twice during the cannonade, Cushing refused to leave the field and continued to direct his battery until only two guns remained in action. As Confederate infantry closed on the "Angle," he was mortally wounded while bravely holding his position.

For more than three decades, Margaret Zerwekh of Delafield, Wisconsin, advocated for Cushing to receive the Medal of Honor. Finally, on Nov. 6, 2014, his closest living relative, Helen Loring Ensign, accepted the Medal of Honor on his behalf from President Barack Obama. Cushing’s Medal of Honor is now part of Gettysburg National Military Park’s collection, cared for by curators at Gettysburg National Military Park.

Cushing's citation reflects the same devotion expressed in the words inscribed on his headstone at West Point: "Faithful unto Death."

Visitors can see Cushing's Medal of Honor on display, free of charge, July 1–5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the rotunda of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, located at 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. To plan your visit to Gettysburg and learn more about Gettysburg Foundation, visit our website at GettysburgFoundation.org.

TOP 10 TIPS for a Safe and Enjoyable Battle Anniversary at Gettysburg

TOP 10 TIPS for a Safe and Enjoyable Battle Anniversary at Gettysburg

1. Know before you go! The full schedule for the Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary from July 1-3 can be found on our website. 

2. The regular Summer Ranger program schedule continues during the Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary events from July 1 to 3. 

3. Watch the weather and know our cancellation policy.  

• In the event of thunderstorm or tornado warnings, or a heat index more than 103 degrees, all programs will be canceled.  

• In the event of a heat index more than 91 degrees, programs will be shortened and modified. 

1. Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water, know your limitations, and don't overexert yourself. 

2. We offer a variety of programming for all age levels, interests, and abilities including Family programs, Sacred Trust talks (in partnership with the Gettysburg Foundation), 100 Nights of Taps, and Living History demonstrations. 

3. Ticks! Ticks! Ticks! (And don’t forget their friends; chiggers and mosquitoes.) Please use bug spray and wear long pants. 

4. Prepare yourself against the harmful effects of the sun. Please use sunscreen, wear a hat, and consider a cooling cloth to help keep you cool and protected from the sun. 

5. Sturdy walking shoes or boots are a must for the anniversary hikes.  

6. Remember the Six Ps: Proper Parking Prevents Park Protection Problems. Please keep all four wheels on the pavement and park as directed. 

7. What about the reenactments? The National Park Service does not allow reenactments within the battlefield park, though several occur on private property outside the park boundary. However, Living History demonstrations take place throughout the park.

“Dobbin House Square” - Colonial educational museum and park

Dobbin House Tavern announces groundbreaking for “Dobbin House Square”, an outdoor Colonial educational museum and park

From the Gettysburg Connection

June 18, 2026 by Community Contributors

In celebration of the 250th birthday of one of Gettysburg’s cherished landmarks, the 1776 Dobbin House Tavern, we are pleased to announce the start of Dobbin House Square, a public welcoming space for education, reflection, and community gathering, with a grand opening planned for August 26 – 30, 2026.

The Dobbin House will host a public groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., marking the official announcement of the park. The ceremony will take place near the project site, 89 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg. Community members, area businesses, public officials and members of the public are invited to attend. Guests include Borough Manager, Charles Gable; Gettysburg History Historian, Tim Smith; Steinwehr Avenue Business Improvement District Board Member, Marci Cropp; and Project Manager of Conewago Construction, Ray Menges.

Along with open space for public events along Steinwehr Avenue, Dobbin House Square will ensure this historic area continues to inspire future generations with five life-size “Charters of Freedom” settings – the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Civil Rights Amendments and the Gettysburg Address, www.chartersoffreedom.com, and a Pennsylvania semiquincentennial, life-size Liberty Bell, www.america250pa.org//PPE:_Semiquin_Bells. These outdoor settings will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be free for Gettysburg residents and visitors. The park is dedicated to preserving the past while investing in its future. It will strengthen pedestrian flow to the businesses along the avenue and enhance the overall visitor experience to Gettysburg.

Dobbin House Square is located next to the oldest building in Gettysburg, the Dobbin House, built in 1776. With the exact same age as the United States of America, both are celebrating their 250th birthdays in 2026. The Dobbin House was built by Rev. Alexander Dobbin, one of the earliest settlers in this area. It is now a popular dining, lodging and shopping establishment.

The Dobbin House and the accompanying park are on Steinwehr Avenue in Gettysburg. The street is conveniently located directly in the center of the surrounding Gettysburg National Military Park and includes one of the entrances to the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where President Lincoln gave the famous “Gettysburg Address”. Hotels and bed and breakfast lodging, a variety of dining venues, historic Battle of Gettysburg museums, and boutiques, shops and artist studios make the avenue the ideal place to stay for exploration of Gettysburg and Adams County.

For more information about the Dobbin House Tavern, visit: https://www.dobbinhouse.com.

For additional information about the park and groundbreaking, contact Chris Charney at chrisc@dobbinhouse.com, 717-334-2100 x124.

Opened as an authentic colonial tavern in 1978, the Dobbin House Tavern is a treasured local landmark, offering premier lodging, fine dining and unique gifts to guests from the local area and around the world. Built in 1776, it is the oldest building in Gettysburg, celebrating its 250th birthday alongside the birthday of the United States of America in 2026.

Hundreds of Civil War Soldiers Were Destined to Die. Then, Their Wounds Started Glowing.

Story from Popular Mechanics on Apple News

NPS

It took 139 years to understand what caused the mysterious “Angel’s Glow” at the Battle of Shiloh.

The American Civil War Battle of Shiloh produced a combined 23,746 casualties on April 6-7, 1862—a fact that’s chillingly ironic for a place whose name means “place of peace” in Hebrew. At the battle’s end, 16,420 soldiers lay wounded throughout the woodlands and ravines of the area. Many of the injured were unable to move. They shivered in the night, rain streaming down their faces as they waited for either help or death.

When physicians finally reached the scene of the battle’s aftermath, they were taken aback by eerie bluish lights glowing in the darkness. They soon realized that the odd radiance was coming directly from the soldiers’ gaping wounds. Even more strangely, the soldiers who had these eerily glowing wounds wound up having more of a fighting chance at survival than those with ordinary wounds did. As a result, the phenomenon came to be known as “Angel’s Glow,” and it was seen by some as divine intervention.

The true cause of Angel’s Glow remained a mystery for over a century and a half. Then, in 2001, seventeen-year-old high school students Bill Martin and Jon Curtis learned about Angel’s Glow in history class, and with the help of Jon’s mother (a microbiologist), the two decided to investigate the battle site. It turned out that what had once seemed paranormal was actually the bioluminescent bacteria Photorhabdus luminescens. Although bacteria that invade wounds are often pathogenic to humans, this particular species is an insect pathogen that lives symbiotically with soil nematodes, who feast on the insides of insects.

P. luminescens colonizes the intestines of nematodes in the family Heterorhabditidae, which infect insect hosts only as juveniles. The bacteria lie in wait for the microscopic worms to find prey, and once a nematode enters the bloodstream of an unsuspecting insect, it releases the bacteria. They, in turn, secrete toxins lethal to the insect and enzymes that decompose its carcass, allowing both bacteria and nematode to feed on the tissue. Additional secretions from P. luminescens prevent other bacterial species from colonizing the carcass and depleting a food source needed by both organisms to survive.

As it turned out, the bactericidal secretions of P. luminescens were likely what prevented wounded soldiers at Shiloh from succumbing to infections and gangrene, as so many others did during the Civil War. Why the bacteria glow is still a mystery, but what’s clear is that their bioluminescence is the product of the lux operon (“lux” from the Latin for “light”)—a cluster of genes that work together to produce the proteins responsible for light emission. P. luminescens also produces four different types of toxins, including one called “makes caterpillars floppy” (Mcf), which does exactly what its name suggests. These toxins have been harnessed to protect crops from insect pests.

What’s toxic to one species may be beneficial to another. Civil War-era doctors had no way of knowing that the glow they saw was the result of infected insects being attracted to the smell of blood and landing on open wounds, spreading the bacteria that were killing them, but that actually disinfected the wounds they landed on. The flies would have probably found this egregiously unfair if they had known what was happening.

Even after Bill and Jon realized that Angel’s Glow was actually coming from bioluminescent bacteria, a question remained: Why isn’t it frequently seen among humans? Luckily, their subsequent lab experiments held the answer. They showed that P. luminescens isn’t able to survive at average human body temperatures, but the weather conditions at Shiloh included sheets of rain that darkened into clammy nights. The pervasive chill that resulted made it possible for the disinfecting bacteria to thrive and secrete toxins that killed bacteria already infecting the wounds, while preventing other microbial species from gaining a foothold.

Not only did Bill and Jon’s study win them first place in the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair—they were also mentioned on Smithsonian Magazine’s website in a special report, Seven Obscure Facts You Didn’t Know About the Civil War. There was an angel among those wounded soldiers after all—just not the kind with wings.

Congress Reauthorizes Popular Historic Battlefield Preservation Grant Program

From National Parks Traveler

A recently passed bill will reauthorize a popular historic battlefield preservation grant program / NPS, Mike Tichenor.

A recently passed bill will reauthorize a popular historic battlefield preservation grant program ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The American Battlefields Protection Program Amendments Act (HR 7618) passed on June 4 with a vote of 404-13, demonstrating widespread bipartisan support.

The bill reauthorizes three American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) grant programs through 2036, designating $20 million annually to battlefield preservation efforts, including historic property acquisition, landscape restoration and site interpretation, according to the American Battlefield Trust.

Additionally, the legislation directs the National Park Service and the Interior Department to prepare more detailed strategic studies of sites related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War. Currently, grant funding can be used to preserve land outside Park Service boundaries at high priority battlefields from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the Civil War.

“The passage of this bill sets in motion our preservation legacy for the next decade,” said American Battlefield Trust President David Duncan. “We are deeply grateful these lawmakers understand the power of America’s battlegrounds and are helping to safeguard our nation’s hallowed ground for generations to come.”

HR 7618 was introduced earlier this year by U.S. Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Virg., and Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., co-chairs of the Congressional Battlefields Caucus. The Senate companion bill, S.3524, was introduced in December 2025 by Senators Dave McCormick, R-Penn., and Tim Kaine, D-Virg.

“In just a few weeks, our nation will celebrate America’s 250th birthday,” said Kiggans. “As we reflect on the sacrifices made to secure and defend our freedoms, it is more important than ever that we preserve the battlefields where so much of our nation's history unfolded.”

For a quarter-century, the ABPP’s Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program has helped to protect nearly 40,000 acres of historic landscapes at 100-plus battlefields in 20 states. Nearly $200 million in federal grants has been competitively awarded through the program, and the process has allowed nonprofit groups to save battlefield land associated with some of the most iconic clashes in our country’s history, including Appomattox, Gettysburg, Petersburg, Saratoga and Vicksburg.

“We must preserve these sacred sites and honor the brave Americans who fought on our soil to secure our nation’s freedom,” said Magaziner. “I am proud to help pass this important legislation so future generations can learn from, honor, and experience the places where history was made and so many sacrificed for our country.”

Chatham Reopens In Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP Following Rehabilitation

Chatham reopened June 6th after a major rehab project

FROM National Parks Traveler

June 3, 2026

Chatham, a historic building in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park in Virginia, will reopen to visitors on June 6 following a major rehabilitation project.

The National Park Service closed Chatham in August 2024 to install a modern fire-suppression system and complete extensive interior repairs. The project included repairs to historic plaster, upgraded building infrastructure, interior restoration work and improvements that better safeguard the building and its collections.

“Chatham offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the people, places and events that shaped our nation,” said acting Superintendent Melissa Cobern. “These improvements will help preserve this historic landmark, protect its collections and ensure visitors can continue to experience and learn from its rich history for years to come.”

Built in 1771 by enslaved and free laborers, Chatham has been home to many people who experienced major chapters of U.S. history. These include: the American Revolution, a slave revolt, the Civil War and the self-emancipation of thousands of enslaved people, Reconstruction and the Colonial Revival movement. During the Civil War, United States forces used the site as both a headquarters and field hospital. In later years, Chatham became a private estate, known for its formal gardens designed by landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman.

This summer, Chatham will welcome visitors Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fort Donelson Visitor Center Rehabilitation To Resume This Summer

Fort Donelson Visitor Center Rehabilitation To Resume This Summer

From National Parks Traveler

May 29, 2026

Rehabilitation work of the Fort Donelson Visitor Center at Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Kentucky and Tennessee will resume this summer. The project is meant to improve accessibility, safety and visitor services at the battlefield while preserving one of the park’s most historically significant buildings. 

Fort Donelson is the site of a significant Union victory during the Civil War. Just days after the Confederate surrender at the fort, Clarksville and Nashville fell into Union hands. The visitor center at the park is a significant Mission 66-era structure whose unique architectural character reflects an important period in National Park Service design, according to the Park Service. 

Approximately half of the project work is already completed. Previous contracting efforts, begun in 2015, represent a separate chapter in the visitor center’s rehabilitation history. The current work focuses on completing the rehabilitation using an updated, carefully assessed scope that reflects the building’s needs after years of partial construction.

The NPS will continue to share updates on the rehabilitation of the visitor center at Fort Donelson through the park website, news releases and public briefings.

Stories about:

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Join Battlefield Trust for Podcast of Boom Goes the History LIVE in Gettysburg

Ready. Set. BOOM Goes the History! Get ready for an unforgettable evening of Gettysburg history, laughs, lively debate, and behind-the-scenes storytelling as the Boom Goes the History podcast comes to Gettysburg on July 1, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. ET for a special LIVE recording event at the Adams County Historical Society! 

Join Garry Adelman, Tim Smith, Kris White, and other special guests for a fast-paced, fun, and slightly irreverent conversation diving into one of the most fascinating aspects of the American Civil War. 

Get Tickets for this Live Podcast Recording Event

From iconic battlefield moments to legendary personalities and unexpected surprises, the Boom Goes the History team will tackle Gettysburg with the same energy, humor, and passion that listeners have come to love. Expect spirited discussion, insider stories, history nerdery, and maybe even a few friendly disagreements along the way. 

And that’s just the beginning!

The evening will also feature:

• Surprise guest appearances

• Meet-and-greet opportunities

• Fun prizes and giveaways

• Time to connect with fellow Gettysburg enthusiasts

• Plenty of unforgettable history conversation

Space is Limited – Order Tickets Now!

Whether you’re a longtime listener or discovering the podcast for the first time, this is your chance to experience Boom Goes the History live and in person in the heart of Gettysburg.

Come for the podcast. Stay for the stories, laughs and incredible community of history lovers who make events like this so special.

We can’t wait to see you in Gettysburg!

Garry Adelman
Chief Historian
American Battlefield Trust

P.S. This live podcast recording event includes a registration fee. These fees support the American Battlefield Trust’s education efforts, help cover required permits for tours, and allow us to continue offering quality programming to members and supporters around the world. Click here to register. Full refunds are available for cancellations made on or before June 15, 2026.

P.P.S. Need to catch up on the latest Boom Goes the History episodes? We've got you covered!

"Almost a Disaster: Dan Sickles at Gettysburg" - Free Zoom Program on Sunday June 7

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) CIVIL WAR

MUSEUM & ARCHIVE

Presents a Free Zoom Program

Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

 THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) CIVIL WAR MUSEUM & ARCHIVE

 Presents a Free Zoom Program

 Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

Almost a Disaster: Dan Sickles at Gettysburg

By James Hessler

  No participant in the Battle of Gettysburg created more controversy than Union General Daniel E. Sickles. A political general who was best known prior to the Civil War for murdering his wife's lover on the streets of Washington, General Sickles nearly created disaster on July 2 at Gettysburg by advancing his Third Corps without orders from General George Meade. Sickles then spent the next 50 years of his life declaring himself the hero of Gettysburg and is lesser known for his later preservation role in creating Gettysburg National Military Park. If Sickles's life was made into a movie, they would say it was unbelievable but join Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide and author of "Sickles at Gettysburg" James Hessler to learn the real story.   

        James Hessler is a historian, author, and Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park, where he has been interpreting the battle since 2003. He is the author or co-author of four books on the Gettysburg Campaign: Sickles at Gettysburg (2009), Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg (2015, with Wayne Motts), Gettysburg’s Peach Orchard (2019, with Britt Isenberg), and his most recent release, The First Day at Gettysburg (2025). His work has earned several distinguished book awards. He has also published articles in outlets such as Gettysburg Magazine.

       Beyond his publications, Hessler co-created and hosts the popular Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, reaching a global audience of history enthusiasts. He has appeared as a public historian in major media such as the History Channel, NPR, Travel Channel, PCN-TV, and in programs and content development with the American Battlefield Trust. 

     Hessler is a frequent speaker at Civil War Round Tables and other historical organizations nationwide. His willingness to tackle controversial subjects continues to spark discussion and deepen understanding of Gettysburg’s enduring story. Besides Gettysburg, Hessler has led battlefield tours at numerous sites across the country. He currently serves in a board or advisory capacity for Gettysburg History (Adams County Historical Society), Gettysburg Museum of History, and the Little Bighorn Associates.   

To reserve a virtual seat for this outstanding presentation, reply by e-mail to garmuslib1866@gmail.com

 You will be sent a link with a password that will enable you to access the program within 24 hours of the start of the presentation. 

 Deadline for signing-up is Noon, Saturday,  June 6, 2026

Links to the Program will go out after the deadline.

 As a lover of history, you know how critical it is to keep history alive, especially today.  We very much appreciate your continued support for the GAR Civil War Museum & Archive.

 GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM & ARCHIVE
8110 Frankford Ave. (Holmesburg - N.E. Philadelphia), 19136
 www.garmuslib.org