Not going to Gettysburg National Military Park because of closures, restrictions or health concerns raised by the coronavirus epidemic? Park officials on Wednesday announced the release of a virtual tour that is built around the 16 Auto Tour stops.
“This free virtual tour allows all
visitors the opportunity to experience the battlefield, no matter where they
are,” the park said in a press release.
Christopher Gwinn, chief of
Interpretation and education at the park, leads the immersive program, which includes McPherson Ridge, the Wheatfield and Peach Orchard, the
High Water Mark and East Cemetery Hill. The battle was fought at the
Pennsylvania town from July 1-3, 1863, and was a major Union victory.
The videos range in length from 2 minutes
to nearly 10 minutes long.
The park said the project took nearly
four years to complete and it coincided with National Park Week in April. No
one could have foreseen the pandemic limiting travel this spring and summer.
“At a time when many of our employees,
volunteers, and partners are unable to provide public programming, the park
virtual tour is a great opportunity to experience the battlefield with a park ranger,”
Superintendent Steven D. Sims said in a statement. “Our education team is also
using this virtual tour to help with their ongoing ‘At Home Civil War Lessons’
which provides educators an opportunity to expand their curriculums.”
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