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

No Adams, No Independence? Exploring John Adams (in Adams County) at America’s 250th

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, educators have a unique opportunity to explore the people and ideas that shaped the nation’s founding. This session highlights the life and influence of John Adams—lawyer, revolutionary, diplomat, and second president—and his critical role in the fight for American independence (while in Adams County, Pennsylvania).

Through engaging stories and historical context, participants will examine Adams’s leadership during the Revolutionary era, his advocacy for independence, and his lasting impact on the creation of the United States. The session will also offer ideas and resources for bringing the Revolutionary generation into the classroom as the country commemorates America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026.

Session Type: Workshop
Presenter: Dr. Chris Mackowski, St. Bonaventure University 
Subject Areas: Educator Education, Lesson Plans, Student Engagement
Time Period: Revolutionary War Era
Grade Level(s): All

Thursday Lunch Session-Past & Future Meet in the Present: Artificial Intelligence, History and YOUR Classroom

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

Declarations: Saying What Matters

"When in the course of human events...they should declare..." It's been 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was written, voted upon, and signed, announcing the United States as a separate nation. This session will take a closer look at the Declaration of Independence and its contextual moment in 1776, then examine some other primary sources and declarations. Explore highlights from the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizens from the French Revolution, the Declaration of Sentiments from the Seneca Falls Convention, the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1948. You'll receive a packet of primary source links, discussion guides, and classroom-ready activities, and maybe you'll be inspired to draft your own declaration of seriously super important reasons or rules.

Session Type: Hands On Workshop 
Presenter: Sarah Kay Bierle, American Battlefield Trust
Subject Areas: Critical Thinking, Hands-On-History, Primary Documents, Ideation
Time Periods: Revolutionary War, French Revolution, Antebellum Era, Civil War, Modern US History
Grade Level(s): Middle School, High School, College Level

From Relics to Real Stories: Teaching with Historical Artifacts

Step beyond textbooks and experience history the way historians do—through the objects people left behind. In this interactive session with the staff of the Adams County Historical Society, educators will examine a variety of authentic historical artifacts and learn how material culture can bring the past to life in the classroom. Participants will discover how everyday items, military objects, and personal belongings can spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and help students connect more deeply with the people and events of the past. This engaging, hands-on program will provide practical ideas and strategies for incorporating artifacts and object-based learning into your teaching.

Session Type: General Session
Presenter: Tim Smith and Andrew Dalton, Adams County Historical Society
Subject Areas: Critical Thinking, Hands-On-History, Lesson Plans, Primary Sources, Ideation
Time Periods: Colonial Era, Revolutionary War Era, Antebellum US Era, Civil War, Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow Era, Modern US History
Grade Level(s): All

Friday Lunch Session-Gettysburg in a Flash: The Battle in 44 Minutes...Or Less!

Before heading out onto the battlefield for our weekend tours, join us for a fast-paced, high-energy overview of the Gettysburg Campaign. In this lively session, we’ll race through the lead-up to and three dramatic days of fighting—highlighting the key moments, famous landmarks, and unforgettable personalities that shaped the battle. From the opening clash along Willoughby’s Run to the desperate fighting on Little Round Top and the climactic drama of Pickett’s Charge, this talk will provide the essential context you need before exploring the field yourself. Consider it your Gettysburg primer—packed with stories, strategy, and the must-know sites that will bring your battlefield tours to life.

Lunch is provided during this session.

Session Type: Meal
Presenter: Kristopher White, American Battlefield Trust
Subject Areas: Educator Education, Lesson Plans, Student Engagement 
Time Periods: Civil War
Grade Level(s): All

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

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 staff of the award-winning Adams County Historical Society 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. 

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

Session Type: Workshop, Tour
Presenter: Tim Smith & Andrew Dalton, Adams County Historical Society
Subject Areas: African-American Studies, Critical Thinking, 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

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. 

Admission to the museum and Cyclorama is paid for by the 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.

Session Type: Tour
Presenter: William Griffith, Gettysburg Foundation
Subject Areas: Educator Education, Lesson Plans, Student Engagement 
Time Periods: Civil War
Grade Level(s): All

Saturday Tours:

The Battle of Gettysburg in Eight Stops

Perfect for educators looking to deepen their understanding of America’s most famous battle, this guided bus tour follows the National Park Service’s classic driving route while highlighting eight key locations that tell the story of Gettysburg from beginning to end. In just one day, participants will trace the arc of the three-day battle across the landscape where it unfolded.

You'll visit iconic locations associated with the battle—from the slopes of Little Round Top to the High Water Mark—participants will be immersed in soldiers' stories and learn how Civil War photography helps tell the story of one of the world's most famous battlefields.

Lunch is provided on this tour.

Sites Included: Little Round Top, the High Water Mark, Spangler's Spring, and more.

Walking Level: Expect less than 1.5 miles of walking. 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 Topography & Military Hospitals

Hidden Gettysburg: Exploring the Battle Beyond the Famous Fields

Everyone knows Little Round Top and Pickett’s Charge—but some of the most fascinating stories of the Battle of Gettysburg unfolded in places many visitors never see. This half-day tour takes participants beyond the well-trodden ground to explore lesser-known yet incredibly important sites connected to the opening moments and unfolding drama of the battle.

From the banks of Willoughby’s Run, where the Battle of Gettysburg erupted on the morning of July 1, 1863, to the climactic first days' action on Seminary Ridge, we visit sites not visited by the traditional tour route.  

Participants will also visit Lee’s Headquarters, where General Robert E. Lee directed much of the Confederate army during the battle. Along the way, we'll highlight the American Battlefield Trust's preservation efforts and how modern preservation has saved key pieces of ground that help tell Gettysburg’s story.

Throughout the tour, we’ll explore overlooked landscapes, discuss the soldiers who fought there, and uncover stories that often get overshadowed by Gettysburg’s most famous landmarks. 

Lunch is not included with this tour.

Sites Included: Wiloughby's Run, Lee's Headquarters, Seminary Ridge, and more. 

Walking Level: Please expect up to 1.50miles of walking. We will follow trails that may include rocks, mud, branches, tree roots, and other obstacles.

In the Footsteps of Pickett's Charge

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.

The lineup and speaker schedule are subject to change.