The flags are up, let the visitation begin. There are three entrances to the visitor center. This entrance is for the “non-group” general public on the south side of the visitor center. Visitors walk to this area from Parking Lot 1. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 4:15 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
Today was the first day for the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center to open to the public. Early in the day, this area was very busy, with all of the parking lots filled. When the Star and Banner arrived in the afternoon, traffic had slowed down considerably. We took photographs of the new visitor center, and were drawn back to the old visitor center for some pictures.
This is the “bus” drop off and loading area of the visitor center. The shuttle busses for the battlefield tour, Eisenhower Tour, and the trolley will load and unload next to the building. General public busses will load and unload to the left of the sidewalk on the left of this picture. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
Orientation wayside for the general public on the south side of the visitor center. Included on this wayside are signs promoting the visitor center and movie, the Eisenhower Farm, and the David Wills House. Also are troughs for free National Park Service brochures. This view was taken from the west facing east at approximately 4:25 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
Although the National Park Service has not received their new Gettysburg brochures with the new visitor center and tour on the map, the new map is here on the orientation wayside. View from the west looking east at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
A closeup of the new map showing the new visitor center and tour route to direct visitors to the Taneytown Road. This view was taken from the west facing east at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
The National Park Service Information desk on the west side of the lobby entrance. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 4:10 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
The ticketing area on the north side of the lobby entrance. This view was taken from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 4:10 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
The food sales area for the bookstore is located near the restaurant entrance. View from the east looking west at approximately 4:10 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
One of the entrances to the museum store. This view was taken from the west facing east at approximately 4:10 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
Visitors looking up items in the Research Center. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 4:15 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
The entrance to a special collection of letters and artifacts. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 4:15 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
To be honest, we’re not sure why these artifacts and letters are in a separate location from the other artifacts in the museum. View from the east looking west at approximately 4:15 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
The infantry weapons are displayed near a video showing how the weapons were fired. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 4:15 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
Here’s an interesting challenge for the future. This bus group occupies the benches for the orientation film in the lobby entrance. Most of them are waiting to leave the visitor center, and are facing away from the film while they take up space that could be used for visitors who wish to be visually oriented. This view was taken from the north facing south at approximately 4:15 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
The visitor center from Parking Lot 3 between the building and the Taneytown Road. This view was taken from the west facing east at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
The signs are in place instructing visitors they will be wasting their time going to the entrance of the old visitor center. View from the south looking north at approximately 4:25 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
The empty parking lot at the old visitor center. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 4:25 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.
The sign near the Cyclorama flag pole. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 4:25 PM on Monday, April 14, 2008.