Lee’s restored headquarters to open in Gettysburg
Contractors work on restoring the Thompson house that was used as the headquarters of General Robert E. Lee during the Battle of Gettysburg on Tuesday June 28, 2016 along Chambersburg Pike in Gettysburg. The project is being pursued by the Civil War Trust in an effort to return the historic property to its original 1863 appearance. The Civil War Trust will then plan to hand over the structure to the National Park Service sometime after work is complete. The property has never had federal protection as a historic location and was privately owned until the Civil War Trust bought the property in early 2015. In addition to restoring the house the Civil War Trust is also restoring the landscape around the structure to reflect its appearance during the battle. (Photo: Shane Dunlap, The Evening Sun)
(Gettysburg) — The Civil War Trust is planning a Friday celebration of the restoration of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s command center during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Work on rehabilitating Lee’s headquarters, also known as the Mary Thompson House, began more than a year ago with the goal of returning the site to its 1863 appearance, according to a news release.
The site, purchased with the help of a $1.5 million grant, was the scene of combat on July 1, 1863.
The Civil War Trust, America’s largest battlefield preservation organization, purchased Lee’s base in early 2015 with the intention of handing over the 4-acre property to the National Park Service.
More than 600 people are expected to attend the ribbon cutting, which will include a walk-through of the house, a time-lapse video of the restoration and historical artifacts on display, said Meg Martin, the communications manager of the Civil War Trust.
The rehabilitation also includes a face-lift for the property’s landscape, with a new interpretive trail, according to the news release.
Speakers for the event include Civil War Trust President James Lighthizer and Gettysburg National Military Park Supt. Ed Clark, among others.
If you go
What: Ribbon cutting ceremony at Gen. Robert E. Lee’s headquarters
When: Friday, Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Mary Thompson House, 401 Buford Avenue in Gettysburg
Cost: Free
For more information, visit Civilwar.org/LeesHQEvent
This article is part of a partnership between WITF and the Hanover Evening Sun.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
