How did Gettysburg and the Great War shape a future five-star general and president? Explore answers to this question and more at Eisenhower National Historic Site’s World War I Weekend on May 4 & 5.
Over 4 million Americans served in uniform during World War I, with over 100,000 losing their lives during the conflict. In the spring of 1918, Captain Dwight Eisenhower arrived in Gettysburg, PA to command a new tank training camp. While Eisenhower never saw action in Europe during the First World War, his time in Gettysburg training soldiers was part of the larger American experience of that conflict. "The Great War" saw the United States and its citizens emerge as leaders on the world stage, shaping the course of the 20th century.
On May 4 and 5, Eisenhower NHS is partnering with the East Coast Doughboys, the "Pall Mall Doughboys" from Sgt. Alvin C. York State Park (TN), the U.S. Marine Corps Historical Company, and the U.S. Naval Heritage and Command Center for FREE exhibits and living history displays on the American experience in World War I.
Schedule of Events
NOTE: This schedule is subject to change. All programs are free of charge. All programs are 20-30 minutes in length unless otherwise specified.
Saturday May 4
- 10 AM to 3 PM: Eisenhower Home Open House Tours
- 10 AM to 4 PM: Living History Displays and On-Site Exhibits Open to the Public
- 10 AM: Captain Eisenhower and Camp Colt--Explore the story of Captain Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gettysburg's very own Camp Colt with Park Ranger Alyce Evans for this overview program. Learn how "Ike" encountered challenges and grew as a young leader during this memorable chapter in his storied military career. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
- 11 AM: The "Harlem Hellfighters"-- During the First World War, the U.S. Armed Forces were segregated. Black Americans were part of the war in many areas, but the most celebrated are the men from 369th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters. Join Ari Lopez Wei of the East Coast Doughboys to learn about the bravery of the 369th Infantry Regiment as they fought alongside the French, who welcomed the soldiers. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
- 12 PM: "From the Farm to France: The US Doughboy in World War I"--From stateside training camps like Camp Colt, thousands of Americans were prepared for war and sent to the Western Front in Europe. Join staff from the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Site (TN) for a program exploring how the United States turned thousands of citizens into soldiers in 1917 and 1918. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
- 1 PM: The US Navy and US Marines in World War I-- Join staff from the Naval History and Heritage Command and the US Marine Corps Historical Company for this free presentation on U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine forces during World War I. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Bank Barn.
- 2 PM: Art in the Trenches: America's First War Artists--When the U.S. Army Signal Corps entered WWI, it also brought along trained artists. In this talk by artist James Loder of the East Coast Doughboys, find out about the half dozen soldiers who also carried paintbrushes and art supplies with their gas mask. James will also be painting during the weekend. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
- 3:30 PM: Ranger Guided Walking Tour of Camp Colt- Join Park Ranger John Tuskan for this free program exploring how Captain Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded a tank training camp right here in Gettysburg in 1918. This program will last for approximately one hour, and will meet at the National Cemetery Parking lot on Taneytown Rd, Auto Tour Stop 16 for Gettysburg National Military Park.
Sunday May 5
- 10 AM to 3 PM: Eisenhower Home Open House Tours
- 10 AM to 3 PM: Living History Displays and On-Site Exhibits Open to the Public
- 10 AM: Captain Eisenhower and Camp Colt--Explore the story of Captain Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gettysburg's very own Camp Colt with Park Ranger Alyce Evans for this overview program. Learn how "Ike" encountered challenges and grew as a young leader during this memorable chapter in his storied military career. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
- 11 AM: The "Harlem Hellfighters"-- During the First World War, the U.S. Armed Forces were segregated. Black Americans were part of the war in many areas, but the most celebrated are the men from 369th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters. Join Ari Lopez Wei of the East Coast Doughboys to learn about the bravery of the 369th Infantry Regiment as they fought alongside the French, who welcomed the soldiers. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
- 12 PM: "From the Farm to France: The US Doughboy in World War I"--From stateside training camps like Camp Colt, thousands of Americans were prepared for war and sent to the Western Front in Europe. Join staff from the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Site (TN) for a program exploring how the United States turned thousands of citizens into soldiers in 1917 and 1918. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
- 1 PM: The US Navy and US Marines in World War I-- Join staff from the Naval History and Heritage Command and the US Marine Corps Historical Company for this free presentation on U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine forces during World War I. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Bank Barn.
- 2 PM: Art in the Trenches: America's First War Artists--When the U.S. Army Signal Corps entered WWI, it also brought along trained artists. In this talk by artist James Loder of the East Coast Doughboys, find out about the half dozen soldiers who also carried paintbrushes and art supplies with their gas mask. James will also be painting during the weekend. This program will take place at the Eisenhower Teahouse.
