Pennsylvania
The Battle of Gettysburg: Heroism, Sacrifice and History
Program No. 9114RJ
Relive one of our nation’s most defining moments as you join experts to learn about the Battle of Gettysburg, experiencing the museums, monuments and culture of this historic site.
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4 days
3 nights
7 meals
3B 1L 3D
1
Check-In, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Class
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
2
Gettysburg Visitors Center & Museum, Battle First Day
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
3
Battle Second Day, Soldiers’ National Cemetery, Performance
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
4
Gettysburg Day Three, Program Concludes
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
At a Glance
The Battle of Gettysburg — July 1-3, 1863 — determined the outcome of the Civil War. This bloodiest of battles left 28,000 Confederate and 23,000 Union casualties. Expert battlefield guides bring history alive as you trace battlefield strategies, separate legend from lore and gain an understanding of the impact on the town and its people. We’ll also pay our respects at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to one mile daily and standing indoors and out; climbing flights of stairs; getting on/off a motorcoach.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Experience the new Gettysburg National Military Park & Museum and explore sites related to each day of the battle.
- Be entertained by a folk musician who plays Civil War-era music on his handmade dulcimer, banjo, accordion and harmonica.
- Meet Hannah Shearer, close friend to Mary Lincoln, in an exceptional living-history presentation.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Tom Jolin
Tom was a founding member of the West Orrtanna String Band, as well as the Orrtanna Mountain Steamers, and played with these groups from 1972 to 1999. Through funding from The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, their five albums were archived and preserved in a set, “Traditional Music from Orrtanna.” Tom is also an instrument maker, specializing in the hammer dulcimer. He is a sought after artist-in-residence and lives with his family in the foothills of the Appalachians, near Gettysburg.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Tom Jolin
View biography
Tom was a founding member of the West Orrtanna String Band, as well as the Orrtanna Mountain Steamers, and played with these groups from 1972 to 1999. Through funding from The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, their five albums were archived and preserved in a set, “Traditional Music from Orrtanna.” Tom is also an instrument maker, specializing in the hammer dulcimer. He is a sought after artist-in-residence and lives with his family in the foothills of the Appalachians, near Gettysburg.
Lauren Kain
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Lauren Biddle Kain is the site coordinator for Philadelphia Landmarks Road Scholar. She received her BS/BA from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. After marriage and transfer to the San Diego area, she began working at EVENT NETWORK, a leading experiental retail operator, on behalf of cultural attractions such as zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, museums, science centers and other cultural attractions. Lauren and her family now reside in the Philadelphia area. She started working with Road Scholar as a junior Group Leader for Grandparent Programs.
Julie Geyer
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Julie Geyer served in the Air Force in the early 1960s on Cape Cod. She enjoys camping, hiking, volksmarching/walking, scrapbooking, and volunteering with the York County Area Agency on Aging as a Friendly Visitor and Financial Counselor, and with the VNA Hospice of Hanover as a hospice volunteer. She also was active in organ donor awareness for many years. Julie and her husband Gene have participated in 56 Road Scholar programs including 21 as group leaders with the Gettysburg program over the past 22 years.
Richard Kohr
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Richard Kohr has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide since 1995, and is the former president of the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides. Rich has led presentations at several seminars and Civil War round tables, and has taught continuing education courses on the Gettysburg campaign at the Gettysburg campus of Harrisburg Area Community College.
Maryann Oelkers
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Living and working in the Philadelphia area for 30 years, Maryann Oelkers found a renewed love for American history. Since retiring from a nursing career in 2009 and moving to Gettysburg, Maryann has been involved in learning about and sharing the history of this special town. Her ongoing experiences include working as a visitors’ services rep for the Gettysburg Foundation. Maryann enjoys continually learning about the history of Gettysburg, including the civilian experience during that fateful year of 1863.
Peter Miele
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Pete Miele is a native of northern New Jersey. After graduating from Ramapo College with a degree in History and Secondary Education, he began teaching American History, World History, and American Studies. In 2013, Pete relocated to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, earned a MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University, and worked with the new Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center. He was named the Museum’s Executive Director in 2020. His interests include 19th century mid-Atlantic social and cultural history, environmental and medical history, and museum studies.
Suggested Reading List
(6 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Battle of Gettysburg: Heroism, Sacrifice and History
Program Number: 9114
High Tide at Gettysburg
A wonderful history of the battle from a Confederate view point. He also makes great use of anecdotal incidents.
Gettysburg: A Journey In Time
A study of Civil War photography and the use of photos as historical documents. Photos of the Gettysburg battlefield were taken immediately after the battle and each photo is analyzed and accompanied by a modern view.
At Gettysburg or What a Girl Saw and Heard at the Battle- A True Narrative
An excellent story as Tillie Pierce a young teen age girl tells about her involvement and reaction during the Battle of Gettysburg.
The Gettysburg Campaign:A Study in Command
Highly recommended by the Gettysburg National Military Park and Battlefield Guides. Extremely authoritative account of the entire Gettysburg Campaign.
The Killer Angels
A Pulitzer prize fictional novel of the battle of Gettysburg.
Women at Gettysburg
Extraordinary and Fascinating Biographies of 40 women who served, nursed, or aided the soldiers after Gettysburg
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
4 days
3 nights
What's Included
7 meals (
3B, 1L, 3D
)
5 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
3 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-In, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Class
Location:
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Gettysburg
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We will gather to view the movie “The Gettysburg Story” that brings America’s battle alive as never before. Stunning aerial drone and time-lapse cinematography with dynamic 3D maps dramatically show the exact ground that changed history. Aired nationally for the 150th battle anniversary, it is narrated by Stephen Lang and produced by a Gettysburg local, Jacob Boritt.
Day
2
Gettysburg Visitors Center & Museum, Battle First Day
Location:
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Gettysburg
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 2 miles throughout the day, approximately 1/2 hour total riding time. Walking up to 1/2 mile indoors and out; even and uneven town terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and ride to Gettysburg National Military Park Visitors Center and Museum. At this state of the art facility, we’ll have a self-directed exploration and gain insights into the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. We’ll also watch the short film “A New Birth of Freedom” narrated by Morgan Freeman, then view the restored cyclorama painting — one of only three left in the U.S. — that is a depiction of the Battle of Gettysburg. We’ll have some independent time to explore the museum and see an extensive collection of artifacts and relics that were found on the Gettysburg battlefield and other prominent battlefields of the Civil War. We’ll ride back to the hotel after our field trip.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
We’ll gather for a presentation on the first day of fighting at Gettysburg. We’ll then set out on a field trip to the sites of the first day’s battle where we’ll explore McPherson Ridge, Eternal Light Peace Memorial, and Barlow’s Knoll. We will gather as a group and walk to the Shriver House Museum that has been restored and furnished to its original 1860s appearance. During our field trip, we’ll gain an understanding of the civilian experienced and learn more about events that took place in the small town of Gettysburg during the battle.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on the Civil War soldier and his accoutrements.
Day
3
Battle Second Day, Soldiers’ National Cemetery, Performance
Location:
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Gettysburg
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour riding time depending on traffic and number of stops. Walking up to 1 mile; generally flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll gather for a class on the second day of battle at Gettysburg followed by field trip to the site where the fighting took place. The field trip will include a walking exploration of Cemetery Hill including the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, where we will see the 500 wreaths decorating the graves. We’ll then return to the hotel.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We will have some “down” time for independent exploration in town. At 4:00 p.m we will meet at the hotel for a talk-and-walk field trip around the town, led by a local historian. Returning to the hotel, we will have time to freshen up and relax, then gather for a social reception before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll have a special treat with a renowned local folk musician who plays Civil War era music with instruments including a handmade hammer dulcimer, banjo, accordion, and harmonica. Prepare for check-out and departure after our final field trip in the morning.
Day
4
Gettysburg Day Three, Program Concludes
Location:
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 5 miles throughout the day, approximately 1/2 hour riding time depending on traffic and number of stops. Walking up to 1 mile; generally flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our final lecture and field trip will focus on the site of day three of the Battle of Gettysburg. From the Library of Congress: “On July 3, 1863, Union troops repelled a massive artillery assault on Cemetery Ridge during the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg in southern Pennsylvania… 28,063 Confederates and 23,049 Union soldiers were killed or wounded at Gettysburg. President Lincoln paid tribute to the Union soldiers’ sacrifice in the Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of a National Cemetery at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863.” Returning to the hotel, this concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
7 Meals
3 Breakfasts
1 Lunch
3 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 22, 2025
- May 04, 2025 - May 07, 2025
- Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 04, 2025
- Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 24, 2025
- Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 08, 2025
- Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 22, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 17 Reviews
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Our battlefield guide was excellent - knowledgeable and entertaining both. Three days of 3 hours daily with him as our guide was amazing.
— Review left October 10, 2024
For those interested in a solid overview of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, this tour is well worth the time and money. The group leader and the battlefield guide especially both brought a vivid, yet human side to the Civil War campaign that ultimately would decide the fate of our country. The many diverse activities, tours, interesting participants, hotel accommodations, food, and transportation made for an ideal historic tour.
— Review left June 15, 2024
Gettysburg is an important part of our history, Through this Tour, you learned about the many points of view & different perspectives. The instructors, logistics & the managers create a vibrant learning experience for all parties involved. Definitely worth the time.
— Review left June 6, 2024
This program was truly wonderful. The location was perfect and the instructor for the subject matter was exceptional. This program brought history to life for me.
— Review left May 9, 2024
The Battle of Gettysburg was so wonderful and so well done! Rich Kohr is the best tour guide I've ever had. I learned so much that I didn't know and felt that this trip was worth the money! Thank you for making our trip so wonderful!
— Review left June 19, 2023
Did not have enough time to explore the battle field in depth. I will rectify
this the next time by staying several extra days.
— Review left May 20, 2023
My wife Mary and I just completed our fourth R.S. program in Gettysburg.
We hope to do many more, but we'll never be able to outdo a sweet, wonderful woman (also named Mary) who has over 80 under her belt. Congratulations, Mary and we hope to see you on our next one.
— Review left October 9, 2022
A very powerful and moving program. It enhanced my appreciation of our nation’s history
— Review left October 8, 2022
If you think you know all the details about the Battle of Gettysburg like I did, you probably don't!
I gained a deeper understanding of the military leaders and why/how the battle was fought.
I could have done many of the activities on my own but it was great to have everything organized and to be able to focus on the subject.
— Review left June 26, 2022
I highly recommend this trip. The education on the Battle of Gettysburg was excellent with very comprehensive classroom and battlefield instruction.
Entire program was very organized.
— Review left June 24, 2022
Exceeded my expectations on every level. The accomodations of hotel, food and transportation were excellent. Every presenter and driver were friendly, informative and engaging. I am left with need to learn more about what was presented to us at Gettysburg. I am left with the desire to select the next program with Road Scholar.
— Review left May 26, 2022
This program was a wonderful summary of the battles at Gettysburg. The main presenter was so knowledgeable and tied in his lecture and battlefield tours so well. The additional activities provided further enhanced our understanding of this time in history.
— Review left October 10, 2021
Progeam was well worth the time and effort. I gained a better understand of the battle itself and the men from both the North and South. Discussions around the various commanders added to the full understanding of the events that unfolded over the three days of battle.
— Review left October 9, 2021
The Gettysburg battlefield experience his a very informative history experience for all with interest in the major battle of the Civil war.
— Review left October 7, 2021
Great program, exceedingly knowledgeable presenters especially our guide. I heartily recommend the program.
— Review left October 31, 2019
The Gettysburg program was very informative. Even though I live but 30 miles away, and have had numerous opportunities to visit Gettysburg, ...I knew that Road Scholar would "do it right". I was so excited to hear the whole Gettysburg Battle Story, complete with insights and tidbits to make it personal. They did a great job, really!!
— Review left June 12, 2019
Website easy to access.
— Review left May 10, 2019
