GDG- The new VC

[Margaret D. Blough]

Mike,

Ideally, I'd agree with you, but I would qualify that with a few additional points:

* Learning more about the battle AND the war in the VC might, in fact, get some of those visitors who skim to spend more time on the battlefield.

*  If they plan their stay in advance, they might allot more time to include both.

* For some people, either with very small children or with physical limitations walking the battlefield isn't a viable option.  I'm glad I did as much as I did while I still could but, given the increasing extent of my orthopedic limitations, there are some things that just aren't possible. One benefit of the historic landscape rehabilitation is that one can see much more from the roads or with a very limited amount of walking.

* Ultimately, half a loaf, in this instance, is better than none.  While the VC, although it is excellent, is not a substitute for visiting the battlefield, if just going to the VC or doing the two hour tour without leaving one's car gets someone to care what happens to Gettysburg and similar historic sites and some awareness of the complexities of this nation's history, then something good has occurred.  Who knows? Maybe there is a child in that family group just visiting the museum or doing the minimal battlefield tour for whom that visit will the spark that ignites a lifelong interest in the Civil War, history, and preservation, individually or in combination.

Regards,

Margaret

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Mike Nugent" <mnugent at maine.rr.com> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> 
> On Behalf Of The Mills 
> Subject: RE: GDG- The new VC 
> 
> 
> 
> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "But if you don't know what happened on the battlefield, walking the ground 
> is no different than walking around my backyard..." 
> 
> 
> 
> Andy, 
> 
> 
> 
> I'm not disagreeing with you. Obviously people need some background and 
> foundation to make sense of the battlefield itself and if they can get that 
> visiting the VC then great. I don't suggest that folks wander the 
> battlefield aimlessly knowing nothing other than they're at Gettysburg. 
> 
> 
> 
> My point is simply that visiting Gettysburg should not simply consist of 
> visiting the Gettysburg VC. It's not a new problem, just something that the 
> novelty and scope of the new VC may magnify. I was always astounded at the 
> number of visitors to Gettysburg never got beyond the old VC or at best 
> plugged in the CD of the auto tour, followed the route and never set one 
> foot outside of their cars. 
> 
> 
> 
> History should not IMO be only an "armchair pastime". I've not seen the new 
> VC yet so I can't offer an opinion on the job it does teaching the history 
> of the battle. I still think though that there is no substitution for 
> standing on the actual ground. If someone isn't familiar with the battle 
> I'd recommend they hire a LBG so they can learn the history where it 
> happened. I'm not saying they shouldn't visit the VC, I certainly plan to 
> visit it too. I just think it should be a gateway to the battlefield rather 
> than the destination in and of itself. With the price of gas, hotels etc., 
> I'll be surprised to see many folks spending "extra" time (and money) in 
> Gettysburg. If they're spending more time in the VC, they're spending less 
> time on the field which again IMO is a shame. 
> 
> 
> 
> Regards, 
> 
> 
> 
> Mike Nugent 
> 
> 
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