Sessions, Lectures & Tours

Thursday Sessions & Experiences:

Welcome to Gettysburg from the American Battlefield Trust

Welcome to Gettysburg! We're excited to host you in this historic town. Join Director of Education & Events Kristopher White for an introduction to the town, the event logistics, and the American Battlefield Trust.

Session Type: Power Session
Presenter: Kristopher White, American Battlefield Trust
Subject Areas: Leadership, Teacher Education, Technology
Time Period: Civil War
Grade Level(s): All

Gettysburg Photo Extravaganza with Garry Adelman

Lights, camera, history! Gettysburg is one of the most photographed Civil War battlefields. From images of the dead to Abraham Lincoln's iconic Gettysburg Address, photographers captured images of the town and battlefield in the days, weeks, and years following the battle. 

Join American Battlefield Trust Chief Historian Garry Adelman for a fast-paced presentation taking you across the Gettysburg landscape via photography. It's a dynamic presentation that nobody will want to miss!

Session Type: Dynamic Lecture
Presenter: Garry Adelman, American Battlefield Trust
Subject Areas: Classroom Resources, Ideation, Leadership, Photography, Student Engagement, Technology in the Classroom
Time Periods: Civil War Era, Reconstruction, 
Grade Level(s): All

Lincoln in Literature, Sculptures, and Popular Culture

President Abraham Lincoln is a larger-than-life character. From the backwoods of Kentucky to the Executive Mansion, "Old Abe" seemingly did it all. 

In Gettysburg, on November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered 272 words in less than three minutes. Those "few appropriate remarks" are known worldwide and draw tens of thousands of visitors to Gettysburg. 

Join Hall of Fame educator (and Lincoln author/expert) Jim Percoco for an exploration of Lincoln's life and legacy through sculpture, literature, and beyond. 

Session Type: Workshop
Presenter: Jim Percoco, Loudon School for Advanced Studies
Subject Areas: Arts in the Classroom, Classroom Resources, Educator Education, Leadership, Political Science, Student Engagement, Technology-in-the-Classroom 
Time Period: Civil War, Reconstruction Era, Modern US History
Grade Level(s): All

Thursday Lunch Session-From AI to VR-Technology and Classroom Resources 

Friday Sessions & Experiences:

Friday Kickoff

Learn about what's in store for your Friday at the National Teacher Institute. 

Session Type: Power Session
Presenter: Kristopher White, American Battlefield Trust
Subject Areas: Leadership, Teacher Education, Technology
Time Period: Civil War
Grade Level(s): All

From the Written Page to the Silver Screen: The Killer Angels

Author Michael Shaara's only commercial success was The Killer Angels. Published in 1974, this little-known novel went on to win the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. By the late 1980s Ron Maxwell and Ted Turner were in full production for the movie Gettysburg, based on Shaara's hit novel. The book and movie changed the lives of countless people and drew millions of visitors from around the world to Gettysburg. 

Join us for an examination and retrospective about the novel and movie. Learn how both can be used in your classroom. AND you might get a chance to handle some of the props from the movie courtesy of our friend Jon Pinkerton. Jon is the world's most prominent collector of Gettysburg movie props and memorabilia.

Session Type: Workshop, Hands-On Experiences 
Presenter: Garry Adelman and Kristopher White, American Battlefield Trust, Dr. Chris Mackowski, St. Bonaventure University, and Jon Pinkerton, The Pinkerton Collection 
Subject Areas: Critical Thinking, Hands-On-History, Leadership, Lesson Plans, Literature in the Classroom, Memory Studies, Movies in the Classroom, Primary Documents, Student Engagement
Time Periods: Civil War, Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow Era, Modern US History
Grade Level(s): Middle School, High School, College Level

History On-Site, In The Classroom, and on the Web: Bobblehead George

Meet the cast and crew of Bobblehead George. They are not just colleagues, but good friends.  All three are middle school teachers and work closely together on a daily basis.  Mr. Raymond, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Gimbi have a love for teaching, a gift for telling really bad puns, and a unique chemistry that is evident in all that they do.

The team is dedicated to providing unique, accurate, and entertaining educational content for lifelong learners of all ages. Learn how these three educators took an idea from the classroom to the world of YouTube, while building a worldwide audience and making history engaging for their students in the classroom and on the web.

Session Type: Workshop, Hands-On Experiences 
Presenter: David Raymond and Eric Gimbi, Jr., Bobblehead George
Subject Areas: Critical Thinking, Educating Educators, Hands-On-History, Memory Studies, Movies in the Classroom, Primary Documents, Student Engagement
Time Periods: Colonial Era, Revolutionary War Era, Antebellum US Era, Civil War, Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow Era, Modern US History
Grade Level(s): All

Behind the Scenes at the Adams County Historical Society

This session starts with a lecture, Civilians in the Crossfire: The Battle of Gettysburg and its Impact on the Community.

As the Battle of Gettysburg raged in and around the town, the civilian population was caught between the two opposing armies. Some hid in their cellars for days on end. While others brazenly climb to the rooftops to watch the unfolding drama below. And some baked bread for the tired and hungry combatants. 

Join the official Adams County Historian and Adams County Historical Society Director of Education, Tim Smith, for a presentation filled with stories of the forgotten end of the battle, the civilians. 

Then, join the award-winning Adams County Historical Society staff for a tour of their exhibit space in the "Beyond the Battle Museum" and step into their Caught in the Crossfire experience. Then, go behind the scenes and into their collections, where you'll engage with artifacts from the battle, Abraham Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower, and civilians who were caught in the crossfire. 

Session Type: Workshop, Tour, Hands-On Experiences 
Presenter: Andrew Dalton and Tim Smith, Adams County Historical Society
Subject Areas: African-American Studies, Civilians at War, Critical Thinking, Hands-On-History, Leadership, Lesson Plans, Memory Studies, Primary Documents
Time Periods: Civil War, Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow Era
Grade Level(s): Middle School, High School, College Level

Hands on History-The National Civil War Museum

Journey to the capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to visit one of the greatest collections of Civil War artifacts—the National Civil War Museum. Participants will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the museum and get hands-on with artifacts from the common soldier to Abraham Lincoln. They will also tour the museum and learn more about the facilities, education, and field trip offerings. It's an experience that you don't want to miss.

Admission to the museum is covered by the Trust.

Session Type: Workshop, Tour, Hands-On Experiences 
Presenter: Staff of the National Civil War Museum 
Subject Areas: African-American Studies, Critical Thinking, Hands-On-History, Leadership, Lesson Plans, Memory Studies, Primary Documents
Time Periods: Antebellum Era, Civil War, Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow Era
Grade Level(s): Middle School, High School, College Level

The Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center Tour & Workshop

Gettysburg's Lutheran Theological Seminary was the first Lutheran Seminary in the United States, and stood at the epicenter of battle on July 1, 1863. Utilized as a communications post and hospital during the battle, the site interprets the stories of the battle, civilians, and students who lived through one of the most significant events in American history. 

Join Codie Eash and the staff of the Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center staff for a tour of the building and a deep dive into their student and field trip activities offered to educators from around the world. It's a location that can't be missed for any field trip to Gettysburg. 

Admission to the museum is covered by the Trust. If you choose to climb into the cupola of the building, please note that there are numerous stairs, tripping hazards, and low-hanging pipes and beams.

Session Type: Workshop, Tour, Hands-On Experiences 
Presenter: Staff of the National Civil War Museum 
Subject Areas: African-American Studies, Critical Thinking, Hands-On-History, Leadership, Lesson Plans, Memory Studies, Primary Documents
Time Periods: Antebellum Era, Civil War, Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow Era
Grade Level(s): Middle School, High School, College Level

Saturday Tours:

Hiking the Fishhook at Gettysburg with Garry Adelman

There is no better way to see a battlefield than on the ground where it happened, and there is no better way to understand the second and third days at Gettysburg than hiking the length of the Union Fishhook. Join the Trust’s chief historian and licensed battlefield guide, Garry Adelman, for an epic hike of the Gettysburg Battlefield. We'll have photos, special guests, and maybe some surprises along the way. 

This hike takes participants to and relates the fighting, photos, myth, and legend at the scenes of all the famous fights south and east of Gettysburg, including Devil’s Den, the Wheatfield, Peach Orchard, Cemetery Ridge, Culp’s Hill, and Little Round Top.

Lunch is provided on this tour.

Sites Included: Little Round Top, Culp's Hill, Devil's Den, and more.

Walking Level: This is truly a hike of some 8-9 miles with only brief stops. We will follow park trails that may include rocks, mud, branches, tree roots, and other obstacles. We will also follow along park roads that contain active vehicular traffic.

Key Moments, Key Sites & Key Leaders at Gettysburg with Billy Griffith and Dan Davis

From Abraham Lincoln to Robert E. Lee to the civilians tending to the wounded, leadership on a battlefield comes in all shapes and sizes. Explore the Gettysburg battlefield and visit its iconic sites- Little Round Top, the High Water Mark, McPherson's Ridge- and hear the stories of so long ago still resonate with students, educators, and military leaders. Learn how to integrate these lessons into your daily classroom and inspire the leaders of tomorrow. 

Lunch is provided on this tour.

Sites Included: Little Round Top, The High Water Mark, McPherson's Ridge, and more.

Walking Level: Please expect up to 1.5 miles on walking along uneven and paved/unpaved pathways.

Saving Lives: Gettysburg's Battlefield Topography & Military Hospitals with Sarah Bierle & Codie Eash

Sunday Tours:

In the Footsteps of Pickett's Charge with Wayne Motts

July 3, 1863, was the decisive day at Gettysburg. General Robert E. Lee battered the Union army for the two prior days. While the Union line gave way in some areas, the Federals stood their ground awaiting Lee's next move. 

The afternoon silence came to an end with the largest cannonade in North American history. The bombardment could be heard in Washington, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Then, some 12,500 Confederate soldiers stepped off in one of the greatest infantry assaults of the war. 

Join author, historian, and Licensed Battlefield Guide Wayne Motts as he walks you across the fields, fences, and roads that played host to Pickett's charge. 

Lunch is not included with this tour.

Sites Included: Seminary Ridge and the High Water Mark

Walking Level: Please expect to walk up to two miles across uneven and sometimes soggy terrain, with little shade between the opposing lines.

In the Footsteps of soldiers (and actors) with Garry Adelman

Movies are a powerful teaching tool. They are gateways to the past, helping to bring history to life. Join the Trust's Chief Historian and Licensed Battlefield Guide, Garry Adelman, for a lively revisit to the "set" of the movie Gettysburg. Based on the novel The Killer Angels, the movie was filmed on and around the Gettysburg battlefield. Visit sites associated with the movie (maybe even see some movie props), and learn how to incorporate this famous film into your classroom. 

Lunch is not included with this tour.

Sites Included: Devil's Den, Big Round Top, Culp's Hill, and more. 

Walking Level: Please expect up to three miles of hiking. We will follow park trails that may include rocks, mud, branches, tree roots, and other obstacles. We will also follow along park roads that contain active vehicular traffic.

Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center & Cyclorama

Gettysburg National Military Park's Museum & Visitor Center is a top destination for most social studies field trips. Take time to visit the visitor center and its museum/film, and experience the Cyclorama. Get to know this facility before you bring your class here for your next field trip. 

Lunch is not included with this tour.

Admission to the museum and Cyclorama is paid for by the American Battlefield Trust.

Sites Included: Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center & Cyclorama 

Walking Level: Please expect to walk up to half a mile on flat surfaces and stand in museum settings.
 

Add-On Experiences: 

Note: All add-on experiences are at an additional expense to the attendee and are not refundable after the event. 

Stories of Gettysburg: From Abraham Lincoln to Dwight Eisenhower with Garry Adelman and Tim Smith

Walk through the streets of Gettysburg, and in the footsteps of civilians, soldiers, and presidents, and learn about the three invasions of the town in 1863. How did the community cope with the tragic and historic events? Where did soldiers find refuge or set up look-out posts? What was it like when the streets of town became part of the battleground?

Join Licensed Battlefield Guides Garry Adelman and Tim Smith for a fun, photo-filled stroll through Gettysburg.

Walking Level: Please expect up to 1.5 miles of walking on flat, uneven surfaces and standing in place for extended periods.

Please note that this is an add-on experience. The fee is $30.00, and it is non-refundable after the event.

The lineup and speaker schedule are subject to change.