Volume_29_Issue_3

Preservation & Progress Volume 29, Issue 3 5 Friends of Gettysburg are known across the country as pioneers in partnerships and battlefield preservation. Your list of accomplishments is impressive, from burying the powerlines on Emmitsburg Road in 1999 to acquiring the George Spangler Farm property in 2008 to successfully completing our role in the rehabilitation of Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge in 2017. EXPANDING OUR MINDS. Preserving the Battlefield. When the Friends commit to a project, transformation happens. As stewards of the battlefield, you know the work doesn’t stop there. When we walk the fields of Gettysburg, increasingly reminiscent of their 1863 appearance, there is a strong sense of place. But, there also needs to be context and relevance to evoke true understanding and enduring appreciation for all that happened here—both during and after the battle—which is why the educational pillar of our mission is so critical to our ultimate success. The rangers at Gettysburg National Military Park (GETT) and Eisenhower National Historic Site (EISE) interpret the grounds for visitors, daily providing a greater understanding of what happened on these fields and in the homes, barns, and structures. Through your financial support, we’re able to provide funding to our GETT and EISE partners for their additional educational outreach including programs like Days with Documents, The Great Task, Traveling Trunks, and Distance Learning. In addition, we’ve made great progress with some new educational initiatives based on your collective feedback, encouragement, and support.