The Gettysburg Foundation invites area residents and visitors to Gettysburg for Fall Family Day at Spangler, a free, one-day event Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This special autumn event marks the final day this year the public can visit the historic George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital. Guests can explore the historic site and enjoy free admission on Fall Family Day during the Columbus Day holiday weekend. Families and friends can experience history, explore the preserved 80-acre site and make lasting memories. Guests have the opportunity to interact with and learn from living historians and historic barn preservationists:
- Officers for the Union and Ladies for the Union: Portraying officers who commanded and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg, living historians provide first-person impressions, discuss their role before, during and after the Battle of Gettysburg, and give details about military life from the officers’ perspectives. The ladies demonstrate unique home craft skills of the period (bobbin lace, hand sewing and bandbox making) and display home remedies, medical practices and children’s toys of the era. They highlight the importance of the home front during the American Civil War, support and aid for soldiers, and the effects the war had on families and communities.
- Detachment US Engineers: A nationally recognized living history organization depicts military engineering and demonstrates engineering aspects and support operations.
- Colonel Roberts: Living historians bring joyful teachings of the simple pleasures and way of life for families during this difficult period in American history. Doll making, period games, fashions and activities of the time are brought to life, demonstrating pastimes that helped heal the brokenhearted and mend the fabric of the way of life for American families during the Civil War era.
- Summer Kitchen Activities: Hands-on activities and presentations on 19th century herbal remedies, the herbal garden and 19th century practices still being used today will take place in the restored summer kitchen.
- Historic Barn Preservation: Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (HGAC) interprets the design, construction and use of the iconic Pennsylvania Bank Barn and discusses the restoration that revived the historic barn.
“Autumn is a wonderful season for families and friends to visit the George Spangler Farm,” said Gettysburg Foundation Spangler Farm Site Coordinator, Paul Semanek. “We are excited to welcome new and returning residents and visitors to see the best-preserved field hospital from the American Civil War, experience history, hear the stories, enjoy family-friendly programming and participate in fun and educational activities. We appreciate our living historians and local partners who come together with our staff and volunteers to help make family days memorable for our guests,” added Semanek.
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Free family-friendly programming, activities and offerings include interactive living history experiences, civilian stories, Civil War medicine, a Civil War Wheeling (Rosecrans) ambulance reproduction on display, cannon demonstrations (without firing) and a treat from local favorite Mr. G’s Old-fashioned Ice Cream.
Visitors to Fall Family Day may drive to the property, located at 488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg, where limited on-site parking will be available.
