Gettysburg 150: A Great Way To Meet New Friends

I suspect that many people in Gettysburg are horrified at the prospect of tens of hundreds of thousands of strangers descending on their peaceful town this summer. Not Daniel. He is going to make the best of it by heading out and meeting new people.

[Uploaded to YouTube on June 16, 2013]

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6 comments… add one
  • Joe Fiffick Jun 17, 2013 @ 19:33

    I’m coming out from California to participate in the 150th Gettysburg reenactment on the 28th, 29th and 30th. I was at the 145th and it wasn’t bad to getting around Gettysburg and seeing the battlefield. My friends and I are Union reenactors. At the 145th, I told them don’t be surprise if you see primarily Confederate reenactors in their butternut uniform walking around town, like a star trek convention. Sure enough, 90% of the reenactors in uniform were confederates. I guess it’s their Mecca. We are planning to head down south afterwards to see battlefields and areas that my CW ancestors were at during the war. They were in the 49th Pa Vol Inf, 116th Illinois Vol Inf and 32nd USCT. I’m sure when we go to Appomattox we wont see many Butternut reenactors.

  • Brad Jun 17, 2013 @ 4:49

    When I purchased Allen Guelzo’s book, one of the booksellers asked me if I was going down to Gettysburg for the 150th. My reply: “Not on your life!” I will go back to Gettysburg when it’s a bit quieter. I once went with my family in the early spring when it was still a bit cold and we basically had the battlefield to ourselves. That’s the way I like it.

  • Nathan Towne Jun 17, 2013 @ 4:39

    *Pennsylvania. I am finding it difficult to type on my mobile phone.

    Nathan Towne

  • Nathan Towne Jun 17, 2013 @ 4:34

    My father and I are supposed to be headed down to Pennslyvania for the 150th anniversary in two weeks. As much as I value having the ability to spend time with my father and appreciate his offering me to join him, I am quite hesitant. I am not sure that the crowds and that are really for me. There is something desirable about connecting with sites on a more personal level. Furthermore, alot of the visitors are going to be there partially because of the fanfare, with only a very limited understanding of the action. I still haven’t decided if I am going to go or not.

    Nathan Towne

    • Kevin Levin Jun 17, 2013 @ 5:03

      I am only going to Gettysburg this week to take part in a conference. Normally, I steer of large crowds especially at historic sites. My advice is to wait until the Fall if you can.

      • Nathan Towne Jun 17, 2013 @ 12:41

        I am on the fence about it. Like you said, I also don’t particularly like large crowds and I prefer the more personal experience with a site. On the other hand, it would be an opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with my father, time that in life people obviously can’t have back.

        Have a good time at the conference.

        Nathan Towne

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