GDG- Save The Electric Map

[Kevin Thomas]

The research for the first map required nearly five years of research,
utilizing War Department records and Archive material to locate positions
and movements of troops during the three-day battle. 
Topographic maps of the area, drawn to scale, were used to lay out the map
area. This first map was in service from 1938 to 1963 when a new map was put
into operation in the spring of the year. The original map was viewed by
over 4 million people including many notable people. In the early 1940s
Field Marshal Rommel viewed the map with members of his staff. 

Also military classes from the academies, President Eisenhower, Field
Marshall Montgomery, movie personalities, and many others of note have
viewed the map presentation over the years. 

The new map was constructed in 1962-63 in a large auditorium specially built
for its use. It measures about 30 feet square. The scale is approximately
three feet to one mile. Months of work were required to position metal pins
to designate the various elevations. 

Metal conduits were placed strategically for the location of lights to
designate troop positions, each light representing a brigade. At this point
the plaster was molded to within ¼" of the desired elevation and finally the
finish coat of textured material was applied. 

Following this came the tedious work of connecting miles of wire from the
250 switches to more than 625 lights. Roads, avenues, streets and streams
were painted on the surface and finally the border and trim were put into
place. The lights, representing the Union and Confederate troops, are so
situated to approximate the location of various brigade positions.
Monumental

-----Original Message-----                                                 
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com [mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]
On Behalf Of Kevin Thomas
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 11:39 AM
To: 'GDG'
Subject: RE: GDG- Save The Electric Map

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


If the restoration of the cyclorama was a monumental task and it is just a
painting in theory and deserves preservation (and it does). Then for the
sake of discussion at the time the map was created would you not say this
also was a monumental undertaking even if it is JUST A MAP does it not
deserve the same ----Just Wondering

-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com [mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]
On Behalf Of James Cameron
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 12:24 PM
To: GDG
Subject: Re: GDG- Save The Electric Map

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


<< In the first place, the message is blatantly misleading. The map is going

into storage, not a landfill. The only reason it is being cut up is that 
there is no other way to remove it safely, much less move it into storage. 
It IS antiquated. I've been told that is getting increasingly difficult to 
find light bulbs, to keep it operating. The map was a great audio-visual aid

in its day but the new VC will have state of the art visual aids Finally, 
the Rosensteel heirs SOLD the map along with the current VC to the NPS. It 
wasn't donated as an artifact. If the map's advocates can find an 
appropriate new home for it, great, but I would oppose using taxpayer money 
for what essentially would be a vanity project for a family that has been 
amply honored as well as being financially compensated for its contributions

to the battlefield.

Margaret  >>

Fond memories of the map are perfectly understandable, as, for that matter, 
is a desire to see it preserved if at all possible.  But I must say I found 
this particular site and the manner in which it puts forth its message a bit

objectionable.  The impression given is that the decision not to include the

map in the new facility was arbitrary and capricious, and made for no good 
reason, which is far from the case.

Jim Cameron


 
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