Gettysburg Heritage Center

This museum is very unique in that it has a lot of interactive exhibits that are different from most places. There are the typical museum displays but then they have other exhibits. There are various “mini” theater experiences as you go through with short videos. They also give you 3d glasses when you enter that can be used all throughout the museum to learn more about what is being interpreted. Then they have a short film that is supplemented with an interactive display throughout the film. Finally, they have an exhibit called The Cellar which is an interactive experience to allow the visitor to see and feel what it might have been like during a battle in the Civil War. It was really fascinating. That all being said, as far as accessibility goes it is mostly accessible. I need a scooter to get around and there were some areas where it was a bit of a challenge. First, the parking is in the back of the building. It was quite a distance to get to the door and the sidewalk was uneven and broken and my scooter got stuck on it. Inside the building is mostly open and the gift shop was a good size. I did have trouble in the theater which was difficult to see where I was going. Overall it was a nice visit with few limitations.

A perfect place to visit on your trip to Gettysburg. Great little museum, film, and gift shop. We did the carriage ride battlefield tour and it was superb. Our guide was so in tune to the history of the conflict and aftermath... amazing. The horses did a great job also ! Lol... riding in the carriage gave a better flavor, feel for the 1800's. It was super and memorable. I recommend booking ahead online.

This museum was EXCELLENT. Definitely take the time to watch the movie in the “theater” portion. The visuals in the movie of the troop movements during the battle was awesome. It really gave a new level to the charges and retreats that you hear/read about to visualize them that way. And be sure to leave time to look at the exhibits. The use of the 3D glasses on photos and videos was really cool. And the “Cellar experience”! Oh my goodness. I honestly walked in and was about to walk out the other door thinking it was just a dark “cellar” to give you an uneasy feeling, but nope - it’s a whole presentation/experience that was really well done. Just overall an excellent museum and must-stop when you are in Gettysburg.

We visited the Gettysburg Heritage Center in order to attend the Night at the Museum, 1863. Do yourself a favor and purchase tickets for this, if it coincides with your visit to Gettysburg! Character actors tell the stories of six different townspeople in Gettysburg on July 1-4, 1963. Several times I got chills, and hung on every word. Later I said to my husband that I really loved doing a town walking tour of Gettysburg town, but the Night at the Museum, 1863 really brought the happenings of the town to life. The battlefield is obviously important to visit; Night at the Museum is equally as important to have well-rounded view of the dark time that put this farming town on the map.

This museum is very unique in that it has a lot of interactive exhibits that are different from most places. There are the typical museum displays but then they have other exhibits. There are various “mini” theater experiences as you go through with short videos. They also give you 3d glasses when you enter that can be used all throughout the museum to learn more about what is being interpreted. Then they have a short film that is supplemented with an interactive display throughout the film. Finally, they have an exhibit called The Cellar which is an interactive experience to allow the visitor to see and feel what it might have been like during a battle in the Civil War. It was really fascinating. That all being said, as far as accessibility goes it is mostly accessible. I need a scooter to get around and there were some areas where it was a bit of a challenge. First, the parking is in the back of the building. It was quite a distance to get to the door and the sidewalk was uneven and broken and my scooter got stuck on it. Inside the building is mostly open and the gift shop was a good size. I did have trouble in the theater which was difficult to see where I was going. Overall it was a nice visit with few limitations.