Demolition began Monday on the “old” Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center or Electric Map Visitor Center. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Demolition of the “old” Gettysburg Visitor Center on the Taneytown Road began Monday. The demolition is part of an effort by the National Park Service to restore the Ziegler’s Grove area closer to its 1863 appearance. The demolition crew concentrated on the center of the building where the first (1930s) Electric Map was located. In today’s post we will show pictures from Tuesday morning and afternoon.
We’ll take a walk around the Visitor Center starting at the right or west side of the building. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
A little bit of debris is on the west side of the Visitor Center near the last (1962) Electric Map. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Another view of the rear of the building where buses were parked at this time last year. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Some of the debris on the northwest section of the building. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Most of it is metal. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
We’re taking a step back before we proceed up the north side of the building. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
The hole through which the 1962 Electric Map was removed last week. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
The debris field begins… This view was taken facing north at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
… near the old guide room. This view was taken facing north at approximately 5:30 PM on Thursday, February 26, 2009.
This is the area where the 1930s Electric Map was located. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
The bottom of this area is the old “hole in the floor” where the 1930s Electric Map was located, and during the time as the National Park Visitor Center, the vertically displayed artillery tubes. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Some may remember the top (second) floor near the blue sign where one could look down at the artillery tubes, or go through the doorway where the muskets and rifled muskets were displayed. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
The openings in the light colored part of this structure are the doors that led into the front lobby where the National Park Service information desks were located, and to the Eastern National bookstore. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
The structure closest to the Taneytown Road was constructed in 1921. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Most of this area was cleared out this morning as we’ll show you in the next couple of pictures. This view was taken facing north at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Here’s some of the equipment that was working on the building Tuesday morning. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Here’s some ofther equipment used to get in close and clear the debris from the building. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Here’s a video showing some of the work in this area. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
A closer view of one of the excavators. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
The restrooms are on the left. On the right is the tree where many a Licensed Battlefield Guide waited while the members of his tour used the restroom. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
The front of the Visitor Center now has a large hole at the top. This view was taken facing west at approximately 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
This is where a large round window was located. Below it were the words “Visitor Center” along with a large bird’s nest. This view was taken facing west at approximately 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Look through the front door to the white light. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
This was the center door of the lobby that led to the large hole that used to house the 1930s Electric Map and the vertical artillery tubes. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
We’ll start walking down the left or south side of the Visitor Center. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Its difficult to see any signs of the demolition on this side of the Visitor Center. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
In fact, this side which hasn’t been touched shows that it’s still going to take a while to remove this structure. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
See the following related posts:
Cyclorama Construction Fencing: Completed on North Side, Redone on West Side on March 13, 2009.
A Fence Too Far: Cyclorama Construction Fencing Completed on West Side on March 1, 2009.
Construction Fences Arrive at Old Visitor Centers on February 27, 2009.
Old Visitor Center Lawn in Limbo on May 28, 2008.
Lights Out at the Electric Map on April 13, 2008.
Moving Day at the Gettysburg Visitor Center on April 12, 2008.
An Emptiness at the Visitor Center on March 31, 2008.
Gettysburg Guide Room: The Final Days on March 8, 2008.
A Sunday Afternoon Walk Around the Old Gettysburg Visitor Center on February 24, 2008.