Three Civil War Battlefields: Harpers Ferry, Antietam and Gettysburg

Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

Next, we will have a presentation by a local historian on the Civil War soldier and accoutrements. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

We will board a motorcoach and ride to Gettysburg National Military Park Visitors Center and Museum. At this state of the art facility, we’ll have a self-directed exploration and gain insights into the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. We’ll also watch the short film “A New Birth of Freedom” narrated by Morgan Freeman, then view the restored cyclorama painting — one of only three left in the U.S. — that is a depiction of the Battle of Gettysburg. We’ll then have some independent time to explore the museum and see an extensive collection of artifacts and relics that were found on the Gettysburg battlefield and other prominent battlefields of the Civil War. We’ll ride back to the hotel after our field trip.

At the hotel.

Next, we will be joined by a licensed battlefield expert for a preview of the battles at Harper’s Ferry and Antietam.

Early at the hotel.

We will ride back to the Visitor Center for an in-depth, up-close, and personal look at the history of cycloramas in the U.S., and especially the Picketts Charge cyclorama here in Gettysburg.

At the hotel.

We will board the motorcoach and ride to Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in West Virginia. A licensed Harpers Ferry expert will give us a presentation followed by a walking field trip. From the National Park Service: “The history of Harpers Ferry has few parallels in the American drama. It is more than one event, one date, or one individual. It is multi-layered — involving a diverse number of people and events that influenced the course of our nation's history. Harpers Ferry witnessed the first successful application of interchangeable manufacture, the arrival of the first successful American railroad, John Brown’s attack on slavery, the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War, and the education of former slaves in one of the earliest integrated schools in the United States.”

At the Visitor Center (weather permitting) we will have boxed lunches.

We will ride on to Antietam — site of the bloodiest day in American history — for a presentation by a Parl Ranger. It was here that 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured, or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. Key sites will include the Dunker Church, Sunken Road, and Burnsides Bridge. As the National Park Service explains, “The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.” We’ll ride back to the hotel after our field trip.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will gather for a presentation by a Licensed Battlefield Guide on the first day of fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg. According to the American Battlefield Trust, “The first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg is said to have been fired by a Union cavalry officer at 7:30 a.m. on July 1, 1863 along the Chambersburg Turnpike three miles west of the town. The Southern column halted and threw forward skirmishers. By 9:00 a.m., two brigades of General Henry Heth’s Division were in line of battle atop Herr’s Ridge west of Willougby’s Run. Up until that point in the battle, the Confederates had only encountered Union cavalry and were unaware of the approaching Northern infantry.” We will set out after the lecture on a field trip via motorcoach to explore the first day’s corresponding sites. We will return to the hotel after our field trip.

At the hotel.

Next, we will ride to the Seminary Ridge Museum for a self-directed exploration. There are three floors of exhibits that provide the context for the Civil War as well as powerful and personals views of the battle’s first day. We will also be able to learn about the work of one of the battlefield’s largest field hospitals. We’ll then set out on a walking field trip along the streets of Gettysburg with a local historian.

At the hotel.

We will watch the movie “The Gettysburg Story” that aired nationally on the 150th battle anniversary. From PBS: “The Gettysburg Story begins on June 1863 with the start of the Gettysburg campaign in Virginia and follows the route of the Confederate and Union armies as they move north along the Blue Ridge mountains and across the Mason-Dixon line to meet on the rolling ground surrounding the small Pennsylvania town. The program is narrated by acclaimed actor Stephen Lang (Avatar, Tombstone, Gettysburg) and was produced with the cooperation of the 6,000 acre Gettysburg National Military Park. Dynamic, evocative, breathtaking aerial and time lapse imagery highlight legendary places.”

At the hotel.

We will gather for a presentation by a Licensed Battlefield Guide on the second day of fighting at Gettysburg. We’ll then board the motorcoach for a field trip to the battlefield where we will view sites where the second day’s fighting took place. On our field trip we’ll ride alon Confederate Avenue that was the Southern line of Pickett’s Charge, Little Round Top, the 20th Maine Monument, and the Wheatfield. As the Library of Congress has explained, “On July 2, 1863, the lines of the Battle of Gettysburg, now in its second day, were drawn in two sweeping parallel arcs. The Confederate and Union armies faced each other a mile apart. The Union forces extending along Cemetery Ridge to Culp’s Hill, formed the shape of a fish-hook, and the Confederate forces were spread along Seminary Ridge.” We’ll then return to the hotel.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon We will have some time for independent exploration in the downtown area. At 4:30 p.m., we’ll regroup and walk to the Shriver House Museum that has been restored and furnished to its original 1860s appearance. During our field trip, we’ll gain an understanding of the civilian experienced and learn more about events that took place in the small town of Gettysburg during the battle. Returning to the hotel, we will have time to freshen up and relax, then gather for a social reception before dinner.

At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

We’ll have a special treat with a renowned local folk musician who play Civil War era music with instruments including a handmade hammer dulcimer, banjo, accordion, and harmonica. Prepare for check-out and departure after our final field trip in the morning.

At the hotel.

Our final lecture and field trip to the site will focus on Day Three of the Battle of Gettysburg. From the Library of Congress: “On July 3, 1863, Union troops repelled a massive artillery assault on Cemetery Ridge during the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg in southern Pennsylvania… 28,063 Confederates and 23,049 Union soldiers were killed or wounded at Gettysburg. President Lincoln paid tribute to the Union soldiers’ sacrifice in the Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of a National Cemetery at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863.” Returning to the hotel, this concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!