The sign now greeting visitors as they enter the museum section on the main floor of the visitor center. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.
It was a misty Monday, and with 14 days left until the new National Park Service Visitor opens at Gettysburg National Military Park, the Gettysburg Daily took some photographs of what visitors will not see– most of the artifacts in the museum. They have been removed to be displayed in the new visitor center, and the current visitor center has an empty feeling.
On the main floor, these cases once held the “dug” artifacts on the battlefield such as dozens of minie balls and musket balls. This view was taken from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.
One of the artifacts that will not be taken to the new visitor center to be placed on display is this original civil war limber. View from the northwest looking southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.
Located on the bottom floor, one wonders why the new visitor center does not have the room to display such an important artifact. View is from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.
On the bottom floor, or “pit” where the original electric map was first displayed in the 1930s, is the wall which no longer holds a solid line of artillery tubes. This view was taken from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.
The handgun display on the bottom floor. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.
The edged weapons (swords, bayonets, etc…) display on the bottom floor. View is from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.
On the main floor, the painting showing the Union high command meeting at the Leister House the night of July 2nd is still shown, but the Leister furniture which also used to be on display here are gone. View from the northeast looking southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.
The display of shoulder weapons on the main floor. View from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.
And we’re missing people too. The paintings of Licensed Battlefield Guide and Gettysburg High School history teacher Dave Weaver are displayed on the main floor. Captain Dave Weaver is now serving with the United States Army in Iraq. View from the southeast looking northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 31, 2008.