The Gettysburg Cyclorama: North America's Largest Oil Painting May Be Closer Than You Think

North America's largest oil painting?  It's not in an art museum; it's not in a huge city.  It's the Gettysburg Cyclorama, on display at Gettysburg National Military Park.  If you are unfamiliar, a cyclorama is a giant painting you kind of enter--connected canvas hang all around you in a circle, and you view it from a center platform.  In another era, they traveled the country on display.  Recently lovingly restored across five years and housed in a special round barn-like building designed for it, the Gettysburg Cyclorama is shown as it was long ago, making for quite the immersive experience. You'll understand why veterans who saw the cyclorama were said to weep with its authenticity when you visit.

To see the cyclorama, go to the Gettysburg National Military Park's Visitor Center.  You'll pay a reasonable fee ($15 for most adults, $10 for many others--or avoid the fee by joining Friends of Gettysburg) and see a nicely-done film, much of which is voiced by Morgan Freeman, discussing the complexity of the US Civil War.  Then, there's an escalator ride to the cyclorama viewing platform where you will have ample time to hear about the painting and view it.  You can move around on the platform, too, and non-flash photography is allowed.  The painting is 42 feet high and 377 feet in circumference--take your time.  Impressively, the display is as it was long ago, and scenery at the "bottom" of the painting gives everything a truly 3-D feel.  Ask the docents questions--obviously, the presentation doesn't include everything about the painting.  Be sure to find Lincoln, painted in the battle scene (no, he wasn't really there), and the artist himself among the soldiers.

If you go, your entry to the cyclorama also gets you in to the Visitor Center's museum, a focused telling of the story of the US Civil War, truly an epic in American history.  It serves as a detailed introduction to the war if you are not a professional historian, and if you visited the "old" Visitor Center that closed before 2008, this one will be much more modern than you remember.  If you are a first-time visitor to Gettysburg, the cyclorama itself will help you understand how the story of the Battle of Gettysburg was told at the time, an essential part of understanding the US Civil War in American memory.  You'll find the best parking and less crowded viewing very early in the day or in the off season, basically January-March.

National Park Service for the Win: Storytime in Gettysburg, PA

No regular reader of our blog will find it a surprise that we Haltermans are National Park Service (NPS) fans.  We adore the NPS sites we've explored and appreciate the efforts that NPS employees put in to create quality interpretation of all sorts of things-history, natural resources, and much more-to modern audiences.  On a recent trip to Gettysburg National Military Park, one of our favorites, we discovered a special winter children's storytime series: Winter Reading Adventures.  On the date of our trip, Bettye Stroud's The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom explored the role of the Underground Railroad.  Our friends and travelling companions had seen it advertised on Facebook, so we came out to participate.

Storytime events at cultural sites are a great idea--but they can be a little hit or miss.  This one, however, was a HIT.  The Rangers were very well-prepared and used a print book, also displayed using AV technology on a big screen, as well as physical artifacts like quilt squares and lanterns to engage the children.  There was a scavenger hunt of the facility for various quilt squares, and participating kids earned a special high-quality metal bookmark with a seal for the day's book.  There was also a tie-in to other local history, including information about a real Underground Railroad stop at Dobbin House Tavern, a place we often go in town for dinner.  As an added bonus, the bookmark yielded a 15% off book discount on The Patchwork Path in the gift shop.

If you go to a similar event, arrive early in the day for best parking and consider joining Friends of Gettysburg.  We are family-level members this year since we plan more than one trip to the area in 2017, and membership will pay for itself in terms of Cyclorama admission, Wills House admission, and the like for our family of four.  The friendly representatives at the Friends desk at the Visitor's Center can give you immediate membership--and easy upgrades--as well as tips.  For instance, we learned that our membership card will sometimes yield discounts in town at non-NPS sites--just ask!  Again, we found out about this event on Facebook; our experience is that there are many various events including lectures and films often.  This late winter/early spring, there will be a special series on the farms in the area, and J would like to take in an Evening with the Painting event in the Cyclorama.  Not sure what a cyclorama is?  Here's the Halterman Weekend at the Gettysburg Cyclorama!

Explore and More: Gettysburg's Wonderful Playhouse

On a recent trip to Gettysburg, we had a bit of dismal weather.  This situation became a great excuse to check out Explore and More, Gettysburg's children's museum.  K had seen simple ads for it, and in town with our two kids and friends and their two kids, we figured it would be worth a shot for spending a bit of time together.  We wound up turning our "bit of time" into about 4 hours with our combined kids, ages 18 months to 7 years.  Everyone had a great time!

Explore and More, situated conveniently "behind" the town library and walkable from Lincoln Square and Steinwehr Avenue hotels on the Baltimore Street end, is a repurposed older home turned hands-on exploration area.  In short, if we could turn our whole house into a playroom, this is what we would build.  Downstairs, you'll find exploration stations including a giant bubble making area and an imaginative play space with a civil war period "home" and campsite.  Upstairs, there's a small black light room and multiple art activities--as well as our boys' favorite space, a construction/manufacturing "site" with a loft and play office.  K, principal of a career-technical education center, was thrilled to see E, age 7, enjoy it so!  There are also small animals to observe (not pet)--think pet mice in cages--and there's a mini gift shop to boot with educational toys.

K, a kindergarten and first grade teacher in a previous segment of life, was impressed by how developmentally-appropriate the museum is--exploration comes naturally in this environment. The owners are two former teachers--and they work to provide this opportunity for the community without paying themselves.  Therefore, pay your admission happily--it's a good value at $7/kid 2-14 and $5/adult.  Those with the potential to visit frequently should investigate a frequent-visitor punch card; there is no membership available.  The atmosphere is quite welcoming and low key, making the museum an excellent place to frequent.

If you go, really consider walking if you are staying at such places as the 1863 Inn of Gettysburg or the Inn at Cemetery Hill.  The walk is pleasant and will allow you to see the living town of Gettysburg--after all, the town was a town at the time of the Civil War battle bearing its name. Metered parking is, however, available and can be free in some circumstances (like holidays)--check ahead.  We agree with the official website that the museum is pretty perfect for ages 2-8, but kids older and younger can enjoy it as well.  Remember that you can walk to Lincoln Square; there are several nearby moderate pub-style restaurants directly on the circle, and the economical and fun Lincoln Diner (truly situated in a diner) is about a 10 minute walk away, albeit through intersections.  Art activities do include paint and glitter; while there are smocks, dress accordingly. Our best advice, though, is to come on out to Explore and More and get messy!

One Great Gettysburg Experience: Hall of Presidents

Here's a great experience to have...while you still can.  Gettysburg's long-lived Hall of Presidents and First Ladies wax museum of the American Presidents is closing permanently November 26, 2016.  This demanded a trip to Gettysburg by the Haltermans.  If you have any interest,  we recommend it...and you need to go NOW. 

 

Inside the museum, there are four narrated rooms and wax figures of each of the Presidents through Obama.  The likenesses are reasonably realistic,  and even better,  the narrations of their accomplishments are reasonably apolitical.  There are also means behind the Presidents regarding key accomplishments, but as the rooms have grown more crowded over the years,  they are a bit out-of-sync with the figures.  Tour as slowly as you can and take lots of pictures!

 

Following this exhibit, visit the Hall of First Ladies for smaller figures of the First Ladies in their gowns.  These likenesses are less realistic, but the display is enjoyable.  It is not narrated; you can move at your own pace.

 

At the time of our visit, some of the employees,  all also part of a larger group of Gettysburg attractions, seemed unaware of the closure.  However, it is "Facebook public," payed by the company itself.  We are awaiting news of the next destination for the figures.

 

If you go, a visit here would be easy to pair with Evergreen Cemetery and/or the National Park Service Visitors Center.  The Inn at Cemetery Hill and The Inn of 1873 can provide you with super-close lodging.  AAA discounts are still available at the site as are combo attraction tickets. Consider it...and help preserve the legacy of the American wax museum.   Few exist anymore.

 

Simple and Small: Gettysburg's Land of Little Horses

Gettysburg is J's favorite history site, of course.  G, however, adores being outside on a battlefield but doesn't quite have historical tourism down yet.  We're still teaching her, but in the meantime, it's sometimes effective to explore in other ways.  On a recent trip to Pennsylvania, G and K were inspired to visit Land of Little Horses, a family farm attraction in Gettysburg's countryside, accordingly to indulge G's enjoyment of animals and the outdoors.  The farm is celebrating its 45th year!

K had always been curious about this attraction, a great place to spend a morning or afternoon. Famous for miniature horses as the name implies, Land of Little Horses is a simple, peaceful farm on which at least 20 or so friendly mini horses reside by our count.  The park has special times during which one can groom and interact with the horses daily.  Other special events include simple animal shows during which select horses and other animals including dogs and pigs perform cute tricks.  The performances, low-key and in a covered arena, are a nice way to take a break on a hot day.  The information is also inspiring--many of the animals are rescued and all are cared for by the family that owns the farm (the dogs even go home at night with them).  The show demonstrates kindness towards the animals as well--a far cry from a rigorous "animal trick exhibit."  A semi-famous horse will even do math for you--addition through division and including number recognition.  Nifty.

The park is a pretty place to walk aimlessly on paths, venturing barn to barn and showing up for hourly special events like the animal show.  There are rabbits, turkeys, goats (twins born on K's birthday, actually), a "racing" tortoise, and more.  Yes, you can buy food pellets for them, but we opted not to.  There's also a small park, a snack bar with indoor seating (we had ice cream), places for picnics outside, a "wild west" village with props for imaginative play, and a gift shop (of course we bought a Christmas ornament--as well as a fancy pink cowgirl hat).  G's favorite experiences?  Saying hello to the rabbits, brushing the horses during the grooming event, climbing on the playground, and riding the saddle swings in the wild west village.

This farm park has no amusement rides and put me in the mind of the type of pleasant family/friends outing one can have at a fall pumpkin patch in Virginia.  If you go, dress for the weather outdoors, and know that closed-toed shoes are optimal.  Search online for deals (try sites like Groupon, Certifikid, and Living Social as well as coupon sites like Val-Pack).  We enjoyed eating just ice cream at the park, enjoying an air-conditioned break at the snack bar, and then meeting our family for a bigger dinner at Blue and Gray Bar and Grill, one of our favorite local restaurants.  Management makes sure you are aware the park does not offer pony rides (apparently, they did before an insurance increase).  The park is open, weather permitting, select days April to October with season passes available and makes a perfect trip for preschoolers and young kids who enjoy animals.

Gettysburg!

Justin wouldn't believe it to be a good summer without a trip to Gettysburg, PA.   It's a town that has grown on Kim, too, particularly for its qwirky tourist attractions.  Late summer is a nice time to visit--businesses are still running "high season hours," affording the opportunity to walk the town at night.

This trip, we enjoyed visiting Ghostly Images Legend and Showcase, a new indoor ghost storytelling room with automated, simplistic special effects.  It's less impressive than Myrtle Beach's similar (but unaffiliated) Ghosts and Legends Show, but we'd judge it a fun place to "sit a spell" and enjoy some classic Pennsylvania ghost stories.  More pleasant than scary, it could be an excellent way for those who do not do walking ghost tours to visit a "haunted attraction."

We also spent time talking with a family member of the proprietor of the Gettysburg Diorama, a large-scale model of the battle of Gettysburg that was once lovingly built and housed at a local campground.  Now inside, it is a treat for model enthusiasts and equally impressive as the History Shop's more famous Alamo diorama in San Antonio.  It has the potential to give new visitors a battle overview commensurate of that with the former National Park Service visitor's center electric map (no longer on display).

If you go, pay the small admission fees to some of the small mom-and-pop attractions in town.  Each of them has their own charms.  If you don't go for these two, Kim recommends the Lincoln Train Museum if travelling with kids; Justin never misses the American Civil War Wax Museum.  This trip, we also discovered a new coupon book, available mainly at the Gettysburg Tour Center, that included some good restaurant deals. 

Dutch Wonderful

Inspired by a friend who grew up in the Lancaster, PA, area, we planned a visit to Dutch Wonderland, an amusement park for young kids a little over an hour's drive from Gettysburg.  Situated in a compact area in Lancaster, the park is a nice place for toddlers with plenty of small rides as well as "big rides" that are as kid-friendly as practical.  For example, two-year-old Elijah was able to ride their "big size" log flume.  Other rides include old-fashioned fun rides like a giant slide and family "thrill" rides the Kingdom Coaster, a wooden ride that most coaster enthusiasts would stamp as fun. 

The park is dotted with a few throwbacks to historic Pennsylvania, including wax Amish figures and a cow statue that can be "milked."  Pleasingly, the park has a sense of its own history, creating a small climb-able exhibit of old ride vehicles.   Our guess is that a good bit of their attendance is boomerang:  parents bringing their kids to a place they remember.

If you go, expect lots of food service ads everywhere in the park.  The place seems crowded on summer Saturdays, and watch the heat on enclosed rides like the monorail.  One of our favorite rides was the out-of-the-way "riverboat;" the friendly driver even took a family picture for us.  And Elijah will tell you the park's 20-minute Thomas show was toddler-perfect!  The gift shop includes a wonderful selection of souvenir pins for trading or keeping, too.  Park coupons/deals are limited, but basic parking is free--go early for best spot selection.

In the Lancaster area, we are curious about the Turkey Hill Experience and the Biblical tabernacle reproduction.  We'll have to return!

Relevant Websites:
Dutch Wonderland

Relevant Twitter Handles:
@FunatDW

Time for Trains!

Kim received a nifty Mother's Day gift: tickets to Gettysburg's Lincoln Train Museum! The museum became our last stop prior to heading out of town. Elijah was fascinated with the model train "in the air" on bridges across the gift shop ceiling. Kim and Justin enjoyed the expansive collection of model trains, including unusual antiques harkening to holidays, advertisements, and "real" railroads. There's also a collection of train Christmas ornaments and a Polar Express display.

For those who like to watch models move (like us!), there is a large layout with three trains and a "circle only" display that is approximately four feet tall. There's also a train you ride: yep, a model train car with a movie about Lincoln's train trip to Gettysburg! It moves gently and put Elijah to sleep. The museum's history is interesting on its own, as when the museum initially opened, the train ride was a major technological innovation.

We judge this homey museum, with its delightful, well-kept collection, to be a good stop. In the area and looking for another cool place? Try Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum--it's free and in Weird Pennsylvania!

Climbing Monuments

What to do on the Gettysburg battlefield? Go climb monuments! No trip would be complete without climbing the Pennsylvania or New York--or the rocks of Devil's Den. And if you are travelling with a baby, pose on the cannons. The monuments truly give the field additional character and fun, but visitors can't forget the tremendous sacrifices there. The Peace Light gives a sense of that, as does a look at the wheatfield. If you are driving the field, we recommend playing the Gettysburg movie soundtrack or one of the CDs of ghost stories to provide an additional element.

Following some battlefield photo ops, we went to the center of town for some shopping. Abe's Antiques has closed--really too bad. If you weren't familiar, Abe's was owned by a Lincoln impersonator who was quite talented and had a nifty collection of civil war items. By asking around at shops, we were able to determine he is fine--just out of business. The Gettysburg Antique Center is still going full speed and is a nice place for locally-oriented ephemera, toy soldiers, and military items. We tried to shop the Farnsworth House bookstore, but their hours were quite unpredictable. A new art gallery features contemporary images of Lincoln and a saleswoman who's won on Jeopardy--Lincoln Into Art is worth a stop.

And some more Gettysburg travel advice: Going out for breakfast? Try the reasonably-priced Avenue Diner, a fixture in town and an easy walk from most centrally-located motels. Hungry for a snack? You can share Hunt's cheese fries with lots of friends and still feel full. Want a relaxing dinner? Head downstairs at the Dobbins House to the Springhouse Tavern for an atmosphere as casual and welcoming as a basement can get!

The Things You Find at Battlefields!

Justin teaches Kim to appreciate the US Civil War more each day. More than that, he opens her eyes to the fabulous culture that springs up around battlefields. Battlefields are a good place to reflect on the way Americans remember--and to enjoy some roadside Americana! Of all Civil War locations, we like Gettysburg for its diversity and development--and its proximity to other visiting spots, including Harper's Ferry and Hershey. Here's the story of a day in Gettysburg--a day during which we didn't visit much of the "official" battlefield!

We started our day at the Hall of Presidents, a wax museum featuring a replica of each US President and an audio track about their histories. It's a low tech museum that survives--nicely, per the staffer we engaged in conversation. They've recently upgraded the seating, added Obama, and renovated the First Ladies gallery to make it accessible. Right now, Eisenhower items that were previously on display are in storage, but there are plans to expand exhibit space and bring these items back. If you go, think like Justin, and enjoy spotting the asyncronies in display backgrounds and figures that reveal its history as a museum and test your knowledge of history.

Boyd's Bear Country is a nifty sight as well, but they have (sadly) removed their mini-museum. They've also decreased their stuffed animal displays significantly over the years, opting for more Yankee Candles, Thomas Kincade artwork, and Longaberger Baskets. We're not Boyd's collectors, but we've visited the three-story barn to see the displays from time to time. Hansa toys are new there--stunning replicas of wild animals if you are not familiar. It's an interesting, family-friendly site that has space for entertainment and a casual meal. It's a cool place to say we've been on a quick trip and is beautifully situated in a wonderful green space.

Our day also included a lunch at the Visitor's Center, where some period foods like yummy peanut soup are served. Kim also enjoyed the outlets, with Gettysburg's mall being appropriately-sized for a few hours of shopping adventure. To its credit, there are few empty storefronts. Dinner brought some time at O'Rourke's, a place we'd oft-admired and finally headed to upon the guidance of friends. It's a well-attended pub with delicious food in large portions. Elijah recommends the cream of crab soup.