People today are roughly eight generations removed from the Civil War period, from 1861 to 1865. Thus, it’s likely inconceivable for most Americans to truly understand the experience of battles fought on and around their properties and in their towns. Yet, during three summer days in 1863, life was transformed for people living in quiet, rural Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Today, the historic town appears frozen in time, especially during recognitions like the recent Nov. 19, 181st anniversary of Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address. Many attendees dressed in 19th-century period attire, strolled the streets, and perused shops as if almost two centuries hadn’t transpired. The seemingly untouched battlefields surrounding the town of Gettysburg encompass 5,989 acres of pristine land. The acreage boasts rolling hills, preserved farm houses, and a few rocky crags.
