We started
the day with Bloody Mary’s … what a way to start the day! Then, some of the
group piled into a few cars and headed to the Gettysburg National Military Park
Visitor Center. This place holds one of my favorite places in Gettysburg, I won’t
spoil the surprise yet! We arrived and talked to a ranger about what we wanted
to do. Our group ranged from people who have never been to Gettysburg, to
people who were there last year. We settled on buying tickets for the film,
cyclorama and museum.
The film is
titled ‘A New Birth of Freedom’ narrated by Morgan Freeman. It is a 20-minute
film about the Battle of Gettysburg. The film helps to orient you to the battle
and Gettysburg's place in the American Civil War. The Civil War, in the words
of President Abraham Lincoln, brought to America "a new birth of
freedom." And during the war began the nation's efforts to come to terms
with the destruction of slavery and to define the meaning of freedom.
Next, we
headed into the Cyclorama painting that depicts Pickett's Charge. Before
feature films. Before IMAX. Before virtual reality. There was the cyclorama. It
was a must-see entertainment of the 1880s, cycloramas were the blockbuster
movies of their time.
Often depicting epic battles or historical places, the
enormous, paintings-in-the-round transported viewers into the middle of the
fray; surrounding them with a 360-degree, hand-painted canvas. The painting
survived years of exhibition, multiple moves, vandalism, fire, cuts and neglect
before finding a home in Gettysburg in 1913.
Purchased by the National Park
Service in 1942, the painting underwent multiple restoration efforts–including
a multimillion-dollar restoration from 2004-08–and now hangs as the centerpiece
of the cyclorama building at the Museum & Visitor Center.
French artist
Paul Philippoteaux took brush to canvas and created the Battle of Gettysburg
Cyclorama painting. He spent months on the battlefield researching the battle
with veterans, a battlefield guide and a photographer. It took Philippoteaux
and a team of assistants more than a year to complete the painting.
The result
is a breathtaking canvas that measures 377 feet in circumference and 42 feet
high. Longer than a football field and as tall as a four-story structure, the
Gettysburg Cyclorama oil painting, along with light and sound effects, immerse
you in the fury of Pickett’s Charge during the third day of the Battle of
Gettysburg. The artist, Paul Philippoteaux, even painted himself into the
painting.
When Charlie
& I were here with Yankee RV Tours, I do not remember the museum. The
Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War, featuring items from one of the
largest collections of Civil War relics in the world. The massive 22,000 square
feet of exhibit space, the museum features relics of the Battle of Gettysburg
and personalities who served in the Civil War, inter-active exhibits, and
multi-media presentations that cover the conflict from beginning to end as well
as describe the Battle of Gettysburg and its terrible aftermath.
We enjoyed lunch
at Mela Kitchen @ Jack’s Cider House in Gettysburg. Mela Litchen takes its name
from the Italian word for apple. Mela offers a clean, fresh and rustic approach
to food. They make use of great local fresh ingrediants. The menu offered brick
oven pizzas, Italian inspired small plates and traditional favorites with a
twist.
At Jack’s
Hard Cider, they pride themselves in the fact that their cider is pressed
on-site and the apples are never from concentrate. Their ciders are created
from the finest fruits in Pennsylvania. They are extremely proud of each and
every variety they make!
Jack’s Hard
Cider, Mela Kitchen and Atomic Dog Wines are all owned by Atomic Dog, LLC.
Donald founded Atomic Dog LLC when he bought Jack’s Hard Cider in 2018. What is
an Atomic Dog? Atomic represents Donald’s passion for the nuclear energy
community and his lifelong service to science. Dog represents Donald’s
commitment to the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned and mistreated animals.
He has rescued five pit bulls, including Nicholas, the Atomic Dog, who can be
seen on the Atomic Dog wine bottle. His dedication to animal rescue mirrors his
dedication to Atomic Dog LLC and its employees and customers.
We ended a
great day with a fire and great friends!
Stay tuned for our next leg of the Two Lane Adventures!
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