GDG- New Museum and Visitor Center at GNMP opens April 14

[JIM COOKE]

The expected Grand Opening, including the restored Cyclorama, will be September 26. The April 26 opening is identified as a "soft" opening. The park is in the process of moving its artifacts to the new VC (not including the Electric Map). They have stated that their intention is to run the current VC until April, then shut its doors forever, and open the next day at the new VC.
JC
----- Original Message -----
From: The Mills <kkamills at embarqmail.com>
To: GDG <gettysburg at arthes.com>
Sent: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:43:38 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: GDG- New Museum and Visitor Center at GNMP opens April 14

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


Isn't this months early?  

I can't remember if it was supposed to open late 2008 and as such, is months early, or was supposed to open late 2007, and as such is months late?  

But at any rate, this is good news.  But when is the current VC closing to move the exhibits to the new VC?  Does this date include the opening of the Cyclorama painting?  

Thanks
Andy

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Lawrence <lawrence at rwlcpa.com>
To: 'GDG' <gettysburg at arthes.com>
Sent: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:20:25 -0500 (EST)
Subject: GDG- New Museum and Visitor Center at GNMP opens April 14

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2008

                       New Museum and Visitor Center
                   At Gettysburg National Military Park
                            Will Open April 14

Gettysburg, Pa. (February 20, 2008) — The Gettysburg Foundation announced
today that the new Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National
Military Park will open to visitors at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 14, 2008.

“We want this new Gettysburg experience to inspire visitors about the past,
to encourage them to want to learn more about the events that have shaped
our country and, in the process, to become better citizens,”  said Robert
C. Wilburn, president of the Gettysburg Foundation.  “The new Museum and
Visitor Center is designed to meet visitors’ expectations of a 21st-century
museum. At the same time, we want to tell the story of the Battle of
Gettysburg, within the context of the causes and consequences of the Civil
War, in a way that showcases the Battlefield.  And we want to encourage
people to extend their stays and return more often.”

“The new museum will better prepare visitors to walk the sacred ground of
the Gettysburg battlefield and see it through the soldier’s eyes,” said
John Latschar, superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park.

To date, the Foundation has secured more than $105 million toward its $125
million Campaign to Preserve Gettysburg.  Funds from the campaign are being
used to build, furnish and operate the new Museum and Visitor Center, to
preserve the park’s extensive collection of Civil War artifacts and
archives, including the massive Cyclorama painting, to support battlefield
rehabilitation and preservation programs, including the return of Ziegler’s
Grove to its 1863 appearance, to improve the visitor experience at
Gettysburg, and to create an endowment to support future preservation and
maintenance needs.

Park curatorial staff has begun moving objects and artifacts into the
collection storage area on the lower level.  Staff from the Foundation is
moving into the administrative offices at the new Museum and Visitor Center
this week. National Park Service staff will make the move into the new
facilities from their offices in the Visitor Center on Taneytown Road just
prior to the mid-April opening.

                                    ###

Contacts:

Gettysburg Foundation:                       Dru Anne Neil, 717-253-5786
Gettysburg National Military Park:       Katie Lawhon, 717-334-1124, ext.
452

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