Gettysburg...The restoration

[Major E A Sterner]

I just got back from Gettysburg and was happy to see that the park service has started the "Restoration" of the battlefield. They have started on Little Round top and the Devil's Den area. They have cut down trees that weren't there during the battle and have cleaned up a lot of the overgrown areas. They have plans to tear down the visitors center and Cyclorama which will both be moved to an area where there wasn't any fighting. the present buildings are on Hallowed Ground.
I took a lot of photos and will post them in the next couple of days.

[Sagebrush Burns]

It is almost scary to contemplate that the Park Service might be trying to do something the right way instead of their way...

[Major 2]

It is almost scary to contemplate that the Park Service might be trying to do something the right way instead of their way...

I almost agree....and might have a few years back...

I had the opportunity to film at both Manassas & Gettysburg  "Manassas End of Innocence" & "Gettysburg"
I've seen their operations & co-operation in a whole new light.
You would be amazed at the regulations, faction organizations (pro & con) & budget constraints they face.
They are under constant pressure from conservationists, developers, environmentalist, historians, & thieves.
I was surprised to learn their Law enforcement wing constantly dealing with theft, poaching, traffic and mainstream crime daily.

[Beau]

  the present buildings are on Hollowed Ground.

I guess an English teacher has taken over my brain.   I think you mean HALLOWED or Holy GROUND.
Unless of course the buildings are down and there is a big hole there!

Sorry!
Beau

[Delmonico]

After a conversation this year with a good friend of mine who is also curator of the historical site I was at, I'm surprised they ain't got a bunch a tree huggers out their tryin' to protect their presious trees.

My friend would like to remove 95% of the trees at his site to take it back to what it looked like in a 1860 photo.  I liked his idea cause I'm a "Protect the Prairie" grass hugger.   The best part of what he wants to do is pile the wood by the shop so I have plenty when I come down.

[Major E A Sterner]

I guess an English teacher has taken over my brain.   I think you mean HALLOWED or Holy GROUND.
Unless of course the buildings are down and there is a big hole there!

Sorry!
Beau

Forgive me my spelling errors, I had just got home from a 5 hour drive and my mind wasn't in spell check mode

[Cutter Carl]

I was there about 10 years ago at the end of July about 95 degrees and humid, I had the chills standing on Little Round Top looking out at the woods and picturing Pickett's Charge in my mind.  It is a treasure and Major 2 is right about the challenges the Park Service faces from all directions.  It's ashame that so many think so little about the history of their country to want to develop, steal from and otherwise destroy historic sites like Gettysburg and the others. 

Until we as a country demand that History esp, American History is factually taught in our schools this type of thing will continue.  It is a sad commentary about our education system.   

[Major E A Sterner]

Here is a photo of the clearing they have done so far.


This is looking down on the devils den from little roundtop

[Major E A Sterner]

Here is a view from Devil's Den(The "Snipers lair") Lookign up to Little round top

[Bristow Kid]

Awesome pictures Major.  Man I can't wait till I get the chance to go see that.  I hope sometime in the next couple of years to make the trip.  Thanks for posting the pictures.

[Beau]

Forgive me my spelling errors, I had just got home from a 5 hour drive and my mind wasn't in spell check mode

No, I was just giving you a ration of ----.
Worth the drive, the pictures are great!    Thanks for posting.
Beau

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Great Pictures, Major!  Thanks!!!

Do you mind if I "steal" them and put them in my personal, private collection?

[Major E A Sterner]

Steel Horse, Be my guest, but please do me the honor to list me as the photographer if you need to post them anywhere else.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I'll be sure to give you credit.  Thanks! 

Major, do you know that your AOL Homepage url doesn't work?

[US Scout]

Living in Virginia, I've been fairly active in battlefield preservation over the years.

In talking to the rangers, they say that one of their biggest battles is over the purpose and use of the battlefield parks. 

There are those who want it preserved (or put back) as it was during the Civil War, and there are those who aren't really interested in the war or the battle, and see it as a park for recreational purposes.  The latter tend to want more trees, and wouldn't be adverse to seeing a children's playground put up in the Wheatfield or on Little Round Top, since they usually aren't interested in the historical significance.  Consequently, it can be extremely difficult at times for the NPS to cut down a single tree.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[Major 2]

US Scout is exactly right. I heard that same tug o war at Manassas BP.

At Manassas, there is a also a faction that fight to protect Henry House (except the House standing there is not the same Henry House ) In fact it is a post war two story farm house built on the site of widow Judith Henry's house.
Robertson house had stood at the time of the First Manassas, and unlike Mrs. Henry's house survived the Second Battle
A few years ago, Vandals ( intoxicated teens ) burned Robertson House to the ground.
They argue over restoration of it and the remaining war time buildings. They argue over the correct cut of siding for the current Farm House at the Henry site.
Rangers battle souvenir hunting Metal Detecting thieves, poachers ( deer overrun Manassas Battlefield ), traffic , there averages 2 accidents at the intersection of Lee Hwy. & Sudley Rd. daily.
At night Deer are hit quite often.
Contractors and development encroachment are major foes.

I'm quite elated Gettysburg is able to make the changes. I was one of many who watched the horrid Gettysburg Tower come down.
I'd like to see the Dixie Motel & Hardies ( that entire strip ) removed when they remove the current Visitor Center.