Events mark anniversary of Gettysburg Address
GETTYSBURG -- The Gettysburg Foundation has announced the following November events in conjunction with the 152nd anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
All are free and open to the public:
Evening at the David Wills House
6-8 p.m. Nov. 18
Visit the place where President Abraham Lincoln, orator Edward Everett and numerous other dignitaries spent the evening 152 years ago on Nov.18, 1863, when the Wills family hosted 38 guests at their home the night before the Soldiers’ National Cemetery dedication ceremony.
Tour David Wills’ office, where he oversaw the creation and dedication of Soldiers’ National Cemetery, and the room where Lincoln finished the Gettysburg Address the night before delivering “a few appropriate remarks.”
The David Wills House is at 8 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg. The event is co-sponsored by Gettysburg Foundation and Gettysburg National Military Park.
Evening at the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station
6-8 p.m. Nov. 18
Visit the historic 1858 structure that served as a hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg. The wounded and the dead were transported from Gettysburg through the station to other cities across the east after the battle.
Abraham Lincoln arrived at the station when he visited in November, 1863, to deliver the Gettysburg Address.
The Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station is at 35 Carlisle Street. Gettysburg.
Dedication Day Ceremony
10-11:30 a.m. Nov. 19
The Dedication Day Ceremony will observe the 152nd Anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, with keynote speaker Garrison Keillor, host and creator of “A Prairie Home Companion,” a weekly radio program heard nationwide on over 600 Public Radio stations.
The event takes place in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, located in Gettysburg between Baltimore Pike and Taneytown Road, and is sponsored by Gettysburg National Military Park, the Gettysburg Foundation, the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania and Gettysburg College.
A limited number of seats will be available to the general public; attendees may bring lawn chairs.
Parking for this event is Lot 3 at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. The Gold Line shuttle will operate continuously between Lot 3 and the cemetery, from 8 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.
In the event of severe inclement weather, this program will relocate to the Gettysburg College Union Building on West Lincoln Avenue.
Remembrance Illumination
5:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 21
The Gettysburg Foundation presents the 13th Annual Remembrance Illumination at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, located between Baltimore Pike and Taneytown Road in Gettysburg.
The solemn commemoration will feature a luminary candle on each of the 3,512 Civil War soldiers’ graves. Names of the fallen soldiers will be read throughout the evening.
Enter the cemetery through the gate at Taneytown Road or the gate at Baltimore Street.
For more information call 717-338-1243 or visit www.gettysburgfoundation.org.