Gettysburg named top travel destination by TripAdvisor

Credit: Jeremy Hess Photography

After a banner year commemorating the 150^th anniversaries of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address, the quaint town of Gettysburg remains high on the nation’s radar.

Gettysburg has been named one of the top 10 “Destinations on the Rise” by TripAdvisor. This list features 54 locations across the world that have experienced increased positive feedback by travelers. Other places on the list include Kailua-Kina, Hawaii; Anchorage, Alaska; Bar Harbor, Maine; and many others.

 

In a news release, the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau estimated about 4 million people visited Adams County and Gettysburg this year. In Adams County, tourism is the largest industry, supporting more than 7,200 jobs and generating more than $605 million. The tourism industry in the county has been on the rise since 2011 and has led to a record number of visitors. 

“This designation is very special because it reminds travelers that Gettysburg is going strong, and that the anniversaries in 2013 were just the beginning,” says Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau President Norris Flowers. “It’s absolutely critical to the business owners, employees and residents of Adams County, that tourism remains successful in 2014 and beyond.”—Anna Seils

Salute to Colored Troops honors heroes

By: Anna Seils

Following the bitter cold Dedication Day ceremony was the Graveside Salute to Veterans of the United States Colored Troops at Soldiers’ National Cemetery. 

The event began with a procession led by the Biglerville American Legion Ira E. Lady Post 262 Honor Guard and reenactors from various units of the United States Colored Troops. 

Dr. Scott Hancock, Professor of History and Africana Studies at Gettysburg College, gave a speech in which he said, “Lincoln wasn’t the first to recognize the power of words.”  The crowd grew silent to hear his words.  “To say is to do,” Hancock said.  “Words have power.”  He ended his speech with a moving call to action from the nation.  “Words must become actions,” he said.      

The soldiers honored in this ceremony were Private Henry Gooden, Company C of the 127^th Regiment United States Colored Troops and Private Charles Parker, Company F of the 3^rd Regiment United States Colored Troops.

The grave plot of Lieutenant Miller beside Private Gooden is empty because the family of Miller did not want their relative buried beside a black man. 

Debra McCauslin is currently trying to find and honor the relatives of Private Parker.  Please call 717-528-8552 for any information about Parker that may help locate his relatives.    

Dedication Day Ceremony draws crowd

By: Anna Seils 

The cold did not stop the crowds from attending the 150^th Dedication Day Ceremony on November 19.  Hundreds of people came to hear speeches from guest speakers ranging from a high school student to senators.  The event was live streamed to thousands of classrooms across the country enabling everyone to witness the historic moment.    

The festivities began at 9:00 a.m. with a musical prelude presented by the Gettysburg High School Ceremonial Brass Band, “President Lincoln’s Own Band” and the United States Marine Band.  They performed a civil war era concert that included period instruments and uniforms. 

A wreath placing ceremony in honor of the fallen union soldiers followed the concert.  Many of the speakers participated in the laying of a wreath on behalf of various institutions of the U.S. 

A moment of silence was called for, with the only audible sound being the wind, rustling autumn leaves of the cemetery.

The speakers took to the stage next and made their remarks on the momentous anniversary.  One memorable speaker was 16-year-old Lauren Pyfer, the winner of “In Lincoln’s Footsteps” speech contest.  “Protecting a nation requires we keep our world in balance,” Pyfer said.  “Intentions are good, but actions are lasting.” 

Janet Morgan Riggs, the president of Gettysburg College, spoke about the walk of students who followed President Abraham Lincoln from the Wills house to the cemetery.  New students recreate this walk every year to remember the walk of students 150 years ago. 

James Getty impersonated Lincoln and received a standing ovation after he read the Gettysburg Address. 

Following the address was the Oath of Allegiance sworn by 16 candidates who applied for citizenship.  This also was awarded a standing ovation by the crowd.     

Although the president did not formally attend, the day still offered a patriotic example of what it means to be an American and a resident of Gettysburg.    

 

Professor speaks about the meaning of the Gettysburg Address

By: Alexis Grant

The aftermath of the Gettysburg address is history the community is still remembering today.  On Tuesday, November 19, America remembered one of the most famous events that took place in history: Lincoln’s delivery of the Gettysburg Address.  For the 150^th anniversary of the speech, tourists and civil war history enthusiasts alike visited the historical grounds of Gettysburg. 

Among the Dedication Day festivities, Brian Jordan, adjunct professor of Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College, delivered a speech at Gettysburg Presbyterian Church entitled, The Unfinished Work: Union Veterans, The Gettysburg Address, and The Meaning of the Civil War. 

Jordan helped the audience understand how the Gettysburg Address was remembered immediately after Lincoln’s speech.  “Many [historians] have said before that it was quickly forgotten until the 1890’s.  Then it was rediscovered as emancipation was becoming popular,” Jordan said.

Some argue there were deep racial undertones of the address, yet other arguments say the address was not understood.  Perhaps Lincoln had “picked the intellectual pockets” of the people, so it was quickly forgotten.

Jordan insists that these assumptions were all wrong.  “The speech was very political. “[It’s] fairly partisan and says why the war has to continue,” he said.

Jordan argued that the address gave a sense of meaning as to what the war was about.  There is evidence that specific groups of people kept the speech alive, such as the Union soldiers.

“The Union soldiers would write letters saying [newspapers] should reprint the address and Union veterans continued to refer back to the address,” Jordan said.  Without a doubt, people of that time remembered the speech because it was talked about so extensively.

The unfinished work certainly pertained to the racial issues that had not been solved by the war. Jordan said the address Lincoln delivered challenged people to think about the war not as unfinished, but shaking hands with former enemies and just buttoning it up.

Jordan’s speech at the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church was followed by a special performance by the West Point Men’s Glee Club.