COVID-19 UPDATE: With things being as they are, we are taking a "wait and see" approch to the April 18 tour. This depends on rules imposed by the National Park Service. Today, March 20, 2020, we received word that the Park Service has disallowed any form of guiding for the Licensed Battlefield Guide force. If this continues up to April 18, 2020, the tour will be rescheduled for October. Thank you for your support and understanding and follow the government's instructions so we can put this all behind us sooner.

Hello folks. Spring is almost upon us and, with Spring, comes our second season of walking tours of the battlefield. This year is the first year with a theme and the theme is Get Out of the Car. Licensed Battlefield Guide Lewis Trott, who you remember from Ask A Gettysburg Guide #5, and Patreon Patrons will remember from the episode about Battle of Gettysburg Connections to the Lincoln Assassination, has crafted six tours of the battlefield that take you to places and things that you can only see if you get out of the car. There are layers of history to see on your national park here at Gettysburg from battle history through the park's evolution to what it is today.
 
We kick off the season on April 18 in conjunction with our adopt a position clean up. Meet at the North Carolina monument and follow the path of North Carolina troops as they marched over the smoldering ruins of the Bliss Farm. At the Bliss Farm we will pause to see the ruins and talk about what happened there on July 2 and 3. Then, we’ll make our way to one of our adopted positions, that of the 111th NY and hear what they did during the battle of Gettysburg. Then we’ll see what the Park Service needs help with and get our hands dirty doing some light yard work. Be sure to stick around for our traditional wet-plate group photo taken at the monument by Dave Wilson from Victorian Photography Studios on Steinwehr Ave. But the day isn’t over yet. Take a few hours break and meet up with us at Mason Dixon Distillery for a private concert just for you given by Sarah Larsen and Danny Stewart called “The Music of Addressing Gettysburg” which feature music they record for our narrative episodes. This tour is free thanks to its sponsor, Mason Dixon Distillery. You’re responsible for your own food and drink once we get to the distillery. 

Like I said, April 18 is just the beginning. At 10am on May 16 follow the path of one of the smallest regiments, the 27th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. The 27th stormed across the Wheatfield on the afternoon of July 2, 1863 in what would be their final battle. Follow in their footsteps and explore the history of this "little regiment that could". 

Their music was deadly while they struggled to hold on in the Valley of Death. Join us as we share the story of the “Mozart Regiment”, the 40th NY Volunteer Infantry Regiment as they tried to stem the Confederate onslaught on the afternoon of July 2, 1863. you’ll also see features, some hidden in plain sight and some a bit more hidden like Horse-Trough Rock, Elephant Rock, Acheson Rock and the 93rd Pa Monument. This tour is on June 20 at 10am.

Beat the July heat by exploring McPherson’s woods and farm on July 18 for our tour entitled “Good morning Archer! How are you? I am glad to see you!”. We will discuss the action of the various regiments who fought on both sides in this area, and show you hidden gems like soldier graffiti on the McPherson Barn as well as the barn’s use as a field hospital, the quarry, Reynold’s death location, learn about the 151st Pa and more. This tour also begins at ten.
 
August 15th’s tour begins later in the day. Join us at 5pm for “Wait a little, we are all going on presently”. Learn about the charge of Barksdale's Mississippians as they smashed the Peach Orchard salient on the evening of July 2, 1863. We will also follow events of that same evening as  Union forces retreated towards the Trostle Farm where a certain General last commanded troops in the field. Along the way you’ll see the Sickles wounding marker, a cannonball hole in the Trostle barn, Cora the cannon, a witness tree and more. 

And finally, a two-part tour, “Drive them out at daylight” and “It is murder, but it’s an order.” We’ll explore the Union’s effort to push the Confederate forces off their foothold on lower Cup’s Hill on the morning of July 3, 1863, with particular focus on the fight of Maryland versus Maryland, and the fight for what we now call “Pardee’s Field”.  

Follow the steps of Lt. Col Charles Mudge and the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, along with the 27th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment as the charged across the open ground of Spangler’s Meadow on the morning of July 3, 1863 as part of a Union attack before Pickett’s Charge. This tour is on September 19 at 10am. 

October is our last tour of the year in conjunction with our Adopt-A-Position clean-up. Usually the Park Service hooks us up with a ranger. The subject of this tour will be added once we know what it is and who is doing it. Like the others, it will be on the third Saturday of the month. 

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ON A TOUR!!
 
***Proper attire and insect repellent recommended. ***

If you're joining us, grab a T-shirt here or here