Vicky

Will be traveling to Gettysburg next summer with 2 boys, 11 & 12.
We are considering going for the re-enactments in July. Is all the hoopla and crowds worth it? Are we better off waiting until after the re-enactments? How realistic are they? All advice welcome- also- place to stay/other activites. Thanks!

Mr.Disney

I have not seen the re-enactments but I have visited nearly every Civil War battlefield, including Gettysburg. Other than the D-Day beaches in France, Gettysburg is the most breath-taking and awe inspiring battlefield to visit. It is huge...it takes a great deal of time to enjoy and I am sure if you are Civil War buffs, you will enjoy it either way.

Vicky

Thanks for the thoughts- we are looking forward to it! Did you do any "organized" tours or strike out on your own? Thoughts on places to stay?

Phil

Vicky,
There was a post on this a few weeks and several people mentioned a "Ghosts of Gettysburg" walking tour. I'm sure 2 pre-teen boys will find it interesting.

If you have a DVD player, you might want to rent the movie "Gettysburg." The bonus material on the DVD does a great job of explaining the battle and the different personalities.

Have a great time!

Vicky

Thanks Phil- will try to find "Ghosts" posts. I for one am looking forward to it, hope it's not TOO spooky for kids.

Hans

Be sure and hire a Licensed Battlefield Guide. You get then at the Vistors center and for $35 for 2 hours, they drive you around in your car, hit the sites you're most interested in, and provide an incredible amount of detail. The highlight of our trip last summer.

Vicky

Thanks Hans. We will be sure to do that. Can you make reservations in advance? Do you know if this type tour will be restricted during re-enactments?

t oldham

I went to gettysburg on a weekend this summer and was surprised how crowded it was-----in my opinion, what is special about gettysburg is, as lincoln said, that it is hallowed ground. I think the reenactments would merely be disneyfication and the park would be more crowded. One option you might find interesting is that there is a b&b right on the batttefield called abner doubleday b&b---I think it woud be particulalry spooky walking around the battlefield at twilight or daybreak--the licensed guides ard good idea--and you can reserve one in advance---my b& b did it for me

Vicky

Yes, my smae concern about the re-enactments.

Not sure if re-enactment would "make history come alive" or if it would be the "disneyfication" of battleground.

Thanks for the tip on B&B, will definately look into that one!

sluggo

I highly recommend the Battlefield Bed & Breakfast. Before breakfast, the costumed innkeeper (an active re-enactor) conducts a most entertaining class or demonstration on one of 14 topics -- uniforms, camp life, munitions, how to fire a musket, etc. (I learned more there than in the museum at the park.) They are especially great with children. One night a local doctor came in his blue uniform and brought his Civil War surgeon's kit. He lectured on the state of medicine then and answered questions. Ask for the room that has an attached bedroom with twin beds and a great view of the pond. They'll even help connect you with a tour guide that fits your needs. You can have a buggy ride around the farm. Breakfasts are delicious, too.

I agree with the poster who recommended seeing "Gettysburg" before you go.

Vicky

Thanks Sluggo-
Do you think with the re-enactments going on during the time we are there, that it would add to, or take away from, the innkeeper's demonstration etc?

Place sounds great- will look into that one as well!

Philip

My brother is one of the re-enactors at Gettysburg and I can assure you that they try to be as authentic as possible. The "soldiers" camp out at night and eat the same food that the Civil War men ate. His wife and children are not allowed to visit unless they are in period dress (sans modern conveniences like wrist watches). I know that some people might think this is "Disneyfied", but I can assure you that these men take their re-enactment very seriously.

sluggo

Never having seen a re-enactment, I can't say whether one would be good. Personally, my imagination was good enough for me! And the B&B owner helped us understand the personal side. (Honestly, he was so good he made a talk on cannonballs fascinating!) If you see the movie before going, you will be better prepared for what you see. Our guide also helped.

If you have time, visit the nearby Eisenhower farm.

Vicky

Thanks for all the help-
Philip- Have you ever been during the re-enactments? Does it get reeeeallyy crowded and are we better off waiting a week OR does the battle really come to life?

gail

We went last August and bought one of the Audio-tape tours. You get a guide book and put the cassette in your car cassette player. That way you can stop and start and go at your own pace. (We had with us 2 kids, ages 10 and 14 and my 70 year old mother. We could take a detour to lunch and rest when my mother got tired. You listen to the tape while you drive and then get out at many stops and walk around. For my kids, that was a better choice than a official guide person because they felt less intimidated and were able to select a pace. We spent most of the day on the audio tour and they were not bored.

Vicky

Thanks Gail.
We'll be driving down from Boston so plenty of time to listen!

Also, before leaving home I think we'll have to rent Glory, Gettysburg and possibly parts of the Ken Burns Civil War series from PBS to make sure we wre up on our history!

Philip

I have been a few times. It has been fairly crowded when I went, but not so crowded as to be a useless attraction. It sort of depends on the weather. Remember that you can also go and watch it for awhile and then leave to do something else, only the real fanatics stay for the whole event.

Vicky

Thanks- THAT sounds like a terrific suggestion! How about places to stay?? Any thoughts there??

wilson

We took the audio tour (you rent from the visitor center). Agree with other comments about pace.

Since I am not a war buff the reenactments don't get me excited. I did like 'seeing' the fields. Clearly, there is extensive knowledge around (guides, books, collection of artifacts, etc at the visitor center) to learn as much as you would like, as long as you would like.

Check with the visitor center to make sure you aren't there during one of the Scouts major (I mean major) campouts.

Is Gettsygurg worth it? Um.. yes, sort of. Once. I am not sure I would want to drive from Boston just for Gettysburg. I'd want to add on other Civil war cites. Antietam (60 mi. from Gettsyburg) and its "bloody cornfield" was as moving as Gettysburg; Harpers Ferry (17 mi. from Antietam) / John Brown interested my 11yr old (and his parents!) Harpers Ferry also had history back to the Revolutionary War.

Other activities: You aren't too much further from Washington DC, which has so much to do. Hershey (Park and chocolate tour) and Dorney Parks are not far, and may be a diversion if the kids get bored.

There is more information (some very detailed) on the re-enactments on the Newsgroup soc.history.war.us-civil-war Check google.com for more.

Vicky

Thanks for the heads-up on the other sites. Will be sure to check them out.

We are thinking our intinarary to be Boston-Hershey-Gettysburg-Lancaster/Amish-Philly-Boston.

Is it possible to stay in Hershey and venture out to G'burg from there- or is iti too far? Thoughts on places to stay??