Battle of Gettysburg 163rd Anniversary on the Ridge

Most events are FREE, but donations are appreciated.
More details (and additional programs!) to come.
Schedule subject to change.
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Tuesday, June 30, 2026
-6:00pm – “On the Eve of Battle” Dinner (Featuring Chris Mackowski, Ph.D., author of Atlas of Independence: John Adams and the American Revolution and Fight Like the Devil: The First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863). TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE. Visit seminaryridgemuseum.org/events for tickets.
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Wednesday, July 1, 2026
-9:30am – “First Clash at Gettysburg: The Fight for McPherson’s Ridge” (Presentation by Kaleb Kusmierczyk, SRMEC Director of Museum Operations)
FREE. Approximately 45 minutes plus Q&A. Meet at Activities Tent near Luther Statue. Chair recommended.
-10:30am – “The Civil War Chaplains of York County, PA” (Presentation by Scott Mingus, Author and Historian)
FREE. Approximately 45 minutes plus Q&A and book signing. Meet at Activities Tent near Luther Statue. Chair recommended.
-11:30am – “The John & Eliza Slentz Family: Retreat from Battle, Return to Devastation” (Presentation by Lisa Shower, Author and Historian)
FREE. Approximately 45 minutes plus Q&A. Meet at Activities Tent near Luther Statue. Chair recommended.
-12:30pm – “The Nameless and the Faceless of the Civil War” (Presentation by Lisa Samia, Author and Poet)
FREE. Approximately 45 minutes plus Q&A and book signing. Meet at Activities Tent near Luther Statue. Chair recommended.
-2:30pm – “How They Met Their Demise: Robert E. Lee and John Buford” (Walking Tour by Chris Bagley, Author and Historian)
FREE. Approximately 60 minutes. Meet at Activities Tent near Luther Statue. Approximately ½ mile of walking.
(More July 1 events and information coming soon!)
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Thursday, July 2, 2026
-10:30am – Title and Presenter coming soon!
FREE. Approximately 45 minutes plus Q&A. Meet at Activities Tent near Luther Statue. Chair recommended.
-11:30am – “Alexandria & Gettysburg: Connections Between Two Civil War Towns” (Presentation by Madeleine Feierstein, Historian and Founder of Rooted in Place)
FREE. Approximately 45 minutes plus Q&A. Meet at Activities Tent near Luther Statue. Chair recommended.
-2:00pm – Title and Presenter coming soon! Sacred Trust on the Ridge: Co-hosted with Gettysburg Foundation and Gettysburg National Military Park.
FREE. Approximately 45 minutes plus Q&A and book signing. Meet in United Lutheran Seminary Chapel (Church of the Abiding Presence).
-6:30pm-7:00pm - Reading of the Declaration of Independence. FREE. Meet in front lawn of Museum.
-7:30pm-8:30pm - Panel discussion (Panelists coming soon!). FREE. Meet in front lawn of Museum.
-9:00pm-10:30pm - Outdoor screening of “Independence” from the award-winning HBO miniseries John Adams. FREE. Meet near Hill-Unger Performance Pavilion in Schmucker Grove (near intersection of Seminary Ridge and Springs Avenue). Chair or blanket recommended.
(More July 2 events and information coming soon!)
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Friday, July 3, 2026
-10:00am to 3:00pm - Visit Lee’s Headquarters
FREE. Meet at 401 Buford Ave. (Route 30), 0.2 miles north of Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center.
(More July 3 events and information coming soon!)
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Saturday, July 4, 2026
-8:30pm to 10:00pm – Fireworks from the Cupola
TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE. Space is limited to 10 visitors. Visit seminaryridgemuseum.org/events for tickets.