Preserve 65 Acres and Restore More at Gettysburg!

Help preserve nearly 65 acres of hallowed ground and bring a remarkable piece of Gettysburg’s battlefield back to life.

After decades of dedicated preservation work, the American Battlefield Trust has two extraordinary opportunities to shape the future of Gettysburg: acquire nearly 65 acres along the historic Baltimore Pike and restore a prominent piece of the Pickett’s Charge battlefield.

Together, these projects will help reconnect historic landscapes, restore battlefield views, and create new opportunities for visitors to walk in the footsteps of those who made history here.

The Opportunity: Nearly 65 Acres and a Battlefield Reborn

Along the Baltimore Pike, near Culp’s Hill and Cemetery Hill, the Trust has an opportunity to acquire one of the largest tracts of Gettysburg battlefield land available to us in more than a decade.

During the battle in July 1863, the Baltimore Pike was a vital lifeline for the Union Army. At least 25,000 soldiers traveled this historic route, alongside wagons carrying ammunition and supplies. Wounded soldiers were transported along the road, and portions of the land we hope to preserve served as a field hospital and burial ground.

Today these nearly 65 acres lie alongside land already protected by the Trust, the National Park Service, and the Gettysburg Foundation. Preserving them would help connect these historic landscapes and allow future generations to better understand the events that unfolded here.

And that's only half of this remarkable opportunity!

At the site of the former General Pickett’s Buffet restaurant, the Trust is ready to begin a long-awaited transformation.

Thanks to the generosity of preservation supporters, the Trust previously acquired this property for $1.5 million. Now, after years of planning and securing the necessary approvals, we can finally move forward with removing the restaurant building and parking lot.

In their place, you can envision open battlefield views, accessible walking paths, and interpretive signs that will help visitors experience this historic ground in an entirely new way.

Imagine standing where Union soldiers witnessed Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863, with a clearer view of the landscape that shaped one of the Civil War's most consequential moments.

This is our chance not only to save history, but to bring it back into view.

The History: Building on Decades of Preservation

Gettysburg holds a special place in American history. Over three days in July 1863, approximately 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured, or reported missing in a battle that forever changed the course of the Civil War.

Every acre of this battlefield has a story to tell.

The land along the Baltimore Pike witnessed the movement of thousands of Union soldiers, the positioning of artillery, and the care of wounded men. A historic burial map identifies the graves of 80 Union soldiers and three Confederate soldiers on the property the Trust is now working to acquire. Their remains were later relocated, but their stories remain part of this hallowed ground.

Near Pickett’s Charge, the former restaurant property witnessed events on all three days of the battle. Its restoration will offer visitors a new perspective on the battlefield and the soldiers who fought there.

For decades, American Battlefield Trust supporters have helped protect these stories by preserving individual parcels of land, sometimes just a few acres at a time.

Together, Trust supporters have already saved more than 1,374 acres at Gettysburg.

Each successful preservation effort has brought us closer to a more complete and connected battlefield. Now, we have the rare opportunity to take another major step forward.

The nearly 65-acre acquisition and the restoration of the former General Pickett’s Buffet site represent the next chapter in that ongoing legacy — one that will help future generations experience Gettysburg with a deeper understanding of its history and significance.

The Next Chapter: Help Make History at Gettysburg

A remarkable opportunity is within reach. Now, we need your help to make it happen.

The Trust has reached an agreement to acquire the nearly 65 acres along the Baltimore Pike for $2.6 million, with a generous landowner allowing three years to complete the payments.

Our immediate goal is to raise $550,000 by December 31, 2026, to fund the initial land payment and the demolition and restoration work at the former General Pickett’s Buffet site.

Your gift today can help us take these important next steps toward preserving nearly 65 additional acres and transforming a previously protected property into a place where visitors can more fully experience Gettysburg's history.

Whether you've helped save Gettysburg land before or are joining this effort for the first time, you have an opportunity to be part of something extraordinary.

Imagine returning to Gettysburg years from now, walking newly restored ground, looking across open battlefield landscapes, and knowing that you helped make it possible.

Together, we can preserve more of Gettysburg's hallowed ground, restore its historic landscape, and ensure its stories endure. Will you make a generous gift today to help bring this vision to life?