GDG- The new VC - my version

Fri Apr 11 05:57:37 CDT 2008

JD,

That's true and everyone has different tastes and paces while visiting a museum.  My sister and I used to visit the Metropolitan Museum  in New York City together rather often, and we got to the point that, before we went, we'd review what the temporary exhibits were, decide what we both wanted to see, saw them together, and then decide on a time to meet in the main lobby and each would go off and do her own thing.

Regards,

Margaret
-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "J. David Petruzzi" <jaydee at pennswoods.net> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> Salvatore, 
> 
> Com'esta! 
> 
> Wonderful presentation of your thoughts, and I think regardless of what 
> there may be to criticize about the VC, I think most will come to the very 
> same conclusions as you. 
> 
> I'll be seeing it myself next Friday, and I can't wait. Like you, I know 
> some things will confuse/disappoint/bewilder me, but all in all I think I'll 
> be impressed. 
> 
> Thanks again for a terrific collection of thoughts. 
> 
> J.D. 
> 
> 
> J. David Petruzzi 
> My blog: http://petruzzi.wordpress.com 
> My book: http://www.stuartsride.com 
> 
> 
> >>Greetings all. 
> 
> Normally, I lurk until it comes to muster time, but I learn more all of the 
> time from the contributions everyone makes to the GDG discussion 
> 
> Tonight was moved to write a few lines and will then go back to lurker 
> status except as regards the muster. Please keep your eyes open for more 
> information, and we should have the registration up on the web site in a few 
> days. 
> 
> Earlier this evening, I had a chance to see the new VC as part of the 
> previewing that was open to local residents of the Gettysburg area. 
> 
> I'm sure that there will be much written and said from many quarters and 
> opinions on the "good and the bad" of the new center. I'll share with you 
> my observations on 2 counts - for what its worth. 
> 
> I went with a couple of friends who have lived in Gettysburg for the last 30 
> years - my former surgeon and his wife - who are by no means Civil War 
> enthusiasts, but do pay attention. They are well travelled, both here in 
> the US as well as Europe so they've been to many other museums of all kinds 
> to use as a comparison. 
> 
> I have to say, they were very impressed with what they saw tonight, the 
> film, exhibits, the facility - all of it. They were commenting on how it 
> was a place they could be proud to take visitors to when their friends came 
> in from out of town and they would be coming back to because there was so 
> much to see and take in. They were enthusiastic as to the whole experience 
> tonight, brief as it was in that we only spent about 2 hours there. 
> 
> My point here is that this is the audience that has been and is going to be 
> the bulk of people coming to the museum pretty much most of the time - the 
> interested visitor - not necessarily the Civil War enthusiast. They thought 
> it was top shelf. Understandng there are some finishing touches that they 
> will be working on for quite awhile, but if you are trying to give a great 
> experience to the bulk of the visitors ( 2,900,000 last year by an estimate 
> in the paper a couple of weeks ago) - this place is going to do it. 
> 
> Now, from my perspective, I'm a little more than interested in the battle 
> and the Civil War, because I packed up all my marbles and moved here because 
> it was Gettysburg. Bear with me a moment - I'm shaking off the lurker rust 
> and getting my thoughts together. 
> 
> To give you some history and perspective. I came here the first time with 
> my parents when I was a kid because I was interested in history and the 
> Civil War - as well as Rev War, Romans, Greeks, ancient Egypt, Aztecs, 
> Mayans - you get the idea. Came back in my college years a few time because 
> one of my fraternity brothers lived here and his family was here all the way 
> back before the civil war. The author of "I rode with Stonewall" - or 
> "Stonewall rode with me" depending on your take of his book, was wounded and 
> taken to his family's house. After college, the interest waned due to life 
> getting in the way. 
> 
> Later, the years passed, a movie comes out, some friends of mine and I 
> decide, "Hey, its going to rain this weekend, lets go to Gettysburg" and the 
> thirst came back. A couple of years of 4 - 5 trips to the well every year 
> and the next thing you know, I convince my wife that we should move closer 
> to our families in NJ and Gettysburg would fit the bill. All I can say is 
> for her reasons and mine - we made the move to the Burg. 
> 
> I point this out because my interest is definitely in Gettysburg and the 
> Civil War, history etc., yet I don't consider myself a fanatic, more 
> educated or anything like that - just more interseted and paying more 
> attention than some of my friends. I've been in the Travel Industry for 38 
> years and have seen my share of museums and battlefields all over the world, 
> so its easy to get jaded and picky about a lot of things. 
> 
> Oh yes- the new VC - get on with it already. Here's the deal and to each 
> their own. I liked it, even began to love it, it was only a 2 hour first 
> date, so I'm not so easy, but I think I'm really really going to love it the 
> more time I spend there. 
> 
> I liked the film, the presentation, the exhibits, the hands on stuff ( try 
> picking up a fully loaded back pack and you will really appreciate what went 
> on in July of 1863, just in getting here), pretty much everything I saw I 
> was happy with and I did not see enough. Its still not all done, so it does 
> not have that lived in look, but it will. 
> 
> Did I check everything out? - no. Went through the exhibit areas, but not 
> to where I could take it all in - way too much to look at and I knew I did 
> not have enough time tonight - my wife, who is not as enthusiastic as me, 
> but did let me move here - God bless her - was with me, and I owe her some 
> respect. Did look through the gift shop, scanned a few prices, but wasn't 
> planning on getting anything tonight anyway. Yes, there are fewer books 
> than in the old book store, more souvenir types of items, but I've got to 
> tell you, the only things I really looked at when I was in the old VC were 
> new books coming out or something I was getting for someone else to send 
> them from Gettysburg. My other Civil War books, relics etc., I tend to get 
> from old book stores, or other sources. 
> 
> My point is, whatever things I might want to knit pick about later on with 
> regards to this facility, the exhibits, the coffee, whatever, my overall 
> experience tonight was a good one and if I'd have been able to stay longer, 
> could have been a great one. Are all of the facts correct in the exhibits 
> or are their mislabels, or mis-information given in some film or AV 
> presentation along the way? Not enough time tonight to know or find out 
> But guess what, for me, none of them are deal breakers. I'll be back. 
> 
> My opinion for what its worth, - and everyone is entitled to their own - is 
> we are way better off now than we were with the old VC. Hands down, 
> everything aside, this place rocks. I'll see the electric Map before its 
> gone this weekend and remember it fondly, but there is no place for it 
> here - it just would not work with everything else being at the level that 
> it is. 
> 
> Kudos to Dr. Latschar and everyone involved - while I know its not done, and 
> it may not be perfect for some - you have done great work so far - keep it 
> up. 
> 
> To paraphrase a certain movie poster - "Same land, same God, same Visitors 
> Center - different dreams" 
> 
> In Jersey, we said, "it is what it is - he who knows, knows" 
> 
> I'll leave it to others to detail the issues that are bound to be discussed 
> on this board as well as others regarding the problems people might have 
> with the new VC or the people involved. For me, listening to most of the 
> other people there and seeing the general reaction from the large crowd that 
> I saw and met tonight, it was a proud night to be living in Gettysburg. 
> 
> Best regards, 
> 
> Sal Prezioso 
> Red Patch 
> Gettysburg>> 
> 
> 
> 
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