Gettysburg National Military Park

Museum staff examining items of General O.O. Howard.

The Office of Museum Services

Gettysburg National Military Park maintains a large and diverse museum collection that is used to tell the story of people and events surrounding the famous battle and maintenance of this vast resource is the responsibility of the Office of Museum Services. As with all museums, only a small percentage of the collection is on exhibit. The items not on display are preserved in a controlled storage environment where they are protected and receive periodic use by researchers. The new visitor center and museum complex houses the entire museum collection and many of the primary relics and articles related to the Campaign and Battle of Gettysburg are on exhibit as well as a number of items selected for their rarity and relevance to the story of the Civil War and the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery.

To that end, the office also maintains the Gettysburg National Military Park Archives, a collection of primary documents and planning records relative to the history of the battlefield park as well as original plans for the battlefield, maps, drawings, and documents. The Archives also includes duplicates of the William S. Tipton photo collection (the originals of which are now housed at the National Archives and Records Administration), as well as photos taken in the park from 1863 to today.

Gettysburg NMP

Cataloging a collection of post-Civil War medals and veteran ribbons.

Behind the Scenes

Curatorial personnel work every day to catalog, organize, identify and preserve the collection, as well as assist anyone who wishes to conduct research in the Park Archives or examine objects. 

The museum collection of Civil War artifacts has been the focus of preservation efforts in recent years, including the famous Rosensteel Collection. This massive collection required cataloging and preservation before it was first moved to a temporary storage facility in the park and during this process, many of the items in this collection were found to be quite unique, including several with soldier identities. Conservation of the artifacts in the collection was a top priority and the process consumed countless hours from park staff, interns and volunteers. The remainder of the collection, which was the property of the National Park Service or items borrowed on long term loan, has also undergone conservation and documentation to insure long term preservation and relevance. After conservation, the entire collection was moved to the new Museum and Visitor Center in the fall of 2008.

The museum collection is also an educational resource. Interested parties have used many of the items in the collection for research purposes, both paper and photographic files as well as three-dimensional items. The office staff assists researchers while undertaking the conservation, cleaning and complete documentation of items in the collection as well as fitting each into its new home in the museum. 

Gettysburg National Military Park

Examining textiles preserved in the storage facility.

The Process Complete

Many of the objects that were familiar to our repeat visitors are once again visible in the new exhibits in the Museum and Visitor Center. Additionally, items related to President Abraham Lincoln's visit to Gettysburg in 1863 and the establishment of the Soldiers' National Cemetery have been placed on display at the David Wills House in Gettysburg, which opened to the public in February 2009. The remaining items are currently stored in the climate controlled offices and storage facility in the lower level of the center.

Please Note: Access to items currently on exhibit will not be permitted during the period of the year from April 1 through October 31 yearly due to high visitation and staff commitments. Contact the director of Museum Services at (717) 334-1124, ext. 1291 for additional information.

Camp Life: Civil War Collections

View some of the unique artifacts related to Civil War soldier life from the collection at Gettysburg National Park.