GETTYSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Gettysburg Foundation today announced that Ford Motor Company Fund is sponsoring a day of free educational programs at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center on Saturday, August 4, 2018. The event is open to the public to enjoy free admission to the Cyclorama, Film and Museum, along with special activities held only on this day.
Since 2014, the Ford Motor Company Fund has provided funding for the annual Ford Family Day each summer, which offers a broad range of free, family-friendly educational programming at the Museum and Visitor Center. Special Ranger-led activities focus on stories and themes that appeal to families and children. An encampment of living historians, representing the 15th New Jersey infantry, will be located on the front lawn of the Visitor Center. There will also be period-dressed living historians demonstrating 19th century crafts. Musicians will perform Civil War-period music. A local ice cream shop will provide visitors with free ice cream.
FREE programs include:
Cyclorama, Film and Museum Experience
8:15 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Start with feature film “A New Birth of Freedom” narrated by Morgan Freeman, then spend time with the world-famous “Battle of Gettysburg” Cyclorama painting, followed by a browse through the world-class Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War.
National Park Service Family Activities
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
A Family Activities Area with a Junior Ranger Station and a Hands-on History Cart will be offered as will be several interactive, ranger-led Join the Army children's programs.
Tap Snap Photo Booth
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Have an 1863 Civil War photo at the photo booth.
HiSTORY Time
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
Living historians will presents readings of popular Civil War themed children’s books.
Live Music
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy Civil War period music outdoors at Ranger Site #3.
Ice Cream Break
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Family History Hike
2:45 p.m.
Gear up for a hike to The Brian Farm. Hikers should meet on the sidewalk near Ranger Site #1.
Picnic Lunch
11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
A specially priced picnic lunch will be available for purchase.
Meet the Author: Book Signings
Join us in the Museum Bookstore for book signings from authors: William Styple, 8:00 a.m. – Noon and Jared Frederick from Noon – 4:00 p.m.
For more information, call 717-338-1243 or view full schedule here. Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is located at 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA, and is open from 8am-6 pm.
Ford Motor Company Fund
Ford Motor Company Fund is the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. Established in 1949, Ford Fund invests in transformational programs that advance innovation, empower people, promote social mobility and improve community prosperity. Ford Fund works with local and global partners to create opportunities in education, encourage safe driving, enlist employee volunteers and enrich community life. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com, or join us on Facebook and Twitter.
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Military Park preserves, protects and interprets for this and future generations the resources associated with the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, during the American Civil War, the Soldiers' National Cemetery and their commemorations. Learn more at www.nps.gov/gett.
Gettysburg Foundation
The Gettysburg Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit philanthropic, educational organization operating in partnership with the National Park Service to preserve Gettysburg National Military Park and the Eisenhower National Historic Site, and to educate the public about their significance. Learn more at www.gettysburgfoundation.org.
