This past weekend a neighbor, former US CONGRESSMAN and a man who is passionate about history took a group of us to GETTYSBURG for a personalized tour of the BATTLEFIELDS. We couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to be educated and the March weather was a perfect, partly sunny, 70-degree day.
If you've never been there, the BATTLEFIELDS are preserved with period fencing, cannons, monuments, sculptures, and even an ETERNAL FLAME. The one-way roads weave thru the battlefields allowing traffic and parking to be manageable.
The story of the CIVIL WAR and the BATTLE at GETTYSBURG is moving. The numbers killed is ASTOUNDING. We were told how one major bad decision by GENERAL LEE changed the course of our history. We also stood right where PRESIDENT LINCOLN delivered his famous GETTYSBURG ADDRESS.
After we left the BATTLEFIELDS, we had one of the best meals ever at SIDNEY'S AT WILLOUGHBY RUN. The service started out a bit slow, but EVERY person's meal was OUTSTANDING. What a CHEF!! And who knew that the country of LEBANON produces such a delicious ROSE WINE?
The following day we visited THE EISENHOWER FARM, located adjacent to the battlefields.
IKE EISENHOWER graduated from WEST POINT, and in WWII led the ALLIED TROOPS to victory, earning a title of 5-STAR GENERAL. He was then convinced to run for the US PRESIDENCY, was elected and served 2 terms.
The EISENHOWERS often used the HOME/FARM to hold meetings with WORLD DIGNITARIES when he was PRESIDENT. It was after his Presidency that he and his wife, MAMIE retired and moved permanently to the farm in GETTYSBURG.
What a fitting location to retire to, for a 5-STAR GENERAL who spent his life in service to his country. Their HOME/FARM is considered a NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE because the EISENHOWERS, while they were alive, donated it to the U.S. GOVERNMENT for preservation and historical purposes - with the stipulation that they would be allowed to live there for the rest of their lives.
We toured the house and farm for a nominal fee and the guides were very informative. I highly recommend a visit there.
A group of BOY SCOUTS was touring with us (after they camped overnight nearby). They were curious about the ROTARY PHONES and CONSOLE TV.......... WHAT???? But that was true to LIFE IN THE 1950's and 1960's.
I happen to LOVE DOOR KNOCKERS and thought I'd end this BLOG POST with a photo of this unique and most beautiful one on the FRONT DOOR of the EISENHOWER'S HOME.
JOAN
Wish I'd been included, I've always supported Jim G and I love Gettysburg. Bu haven't been there in years. Luckily I have a setter transport friend who is a guide/ranger there & who can take me on a personal tour when we can get together. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a special day Libby. You're also very lucky to have someone "in the know" to show you around. Nothing like it, right?
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I did this trip with my cousin who is a retired US History teacher. Loved it all! One of the funniest things was seeing things in the Eisenhower home that my mom or grandmom also owned! Karen
ReplyDeleteWow, that must have been terrific Karen. We had a rotary phone early on and were we ever "the cat's meow" when we got a push button phone! And I remember going from a black and white TV to color. Now THAT is saying something, right? Generation to generation, there are so many changes! Thanks for reading and commenting Karen!
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Joan