A last view of the Electric Map following the final program. This view was taken from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Today is the final day for the National Park Visitor Center, or Electric Map Visitor Center to be in open. The Visitor Center has operated under the National Park Service since 1972. Since that time, millions of visitors entered to building to see the exhibits and to view the Electric Map program.
The Gettysburg Daily decided to take in the last Electric Map showing at 4:25 PM. Approximately 158 visitors saw the final show. As was frequently common for map presentations, a parent had to take out a crying child, and about 20 individuals were let in about seven minutes after the show began. The audience gave the map sustained applause after the show, and National Park Service employee and Katie Lawhon had to chase some individuals out of the booth who attempted to operate the map manually.
The Gettysburg Daily also waited to see the doors close on this building, the first section of which was constructed in 1921.
In the front lobby of the visitor center is the sign presenting show times and prices. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Visitors waiting for the final show in the front lobby. Note the sign at the top right showing visitors the final showing will be at 4:25. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Electric Map sign in the middle lobby where the “pit” is located. View from the east looking west at approximately 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Another Electric Map sign in the middle lobby where the “pit” is located. This view was taken from the north facing south at approximately 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
One of the entrance doors to the Electric Map lobby. The plaques to the Rosensteels, who began the collection, and sold the collection and building to the National Park Service are missing, and now located in the new visitor center. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Electric Map sign in the Electric Map lobby by the ticket desk. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
The entrance to the map with the ticket booths, and Gettysburg Foundation employee John Casey. View from the east looking west at approximately 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
The south exit doors from the map. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 4:10 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Lining up in the Electric Map lobby for the final, 4:25 PM show. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 4:15 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Another view of the group lining up to enter the electric map. Approximately 130 people saw the show from its beginning, and almost 30 more entered the show after it had already started. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 4:15 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
John Casey finishes the final announcement to alert visitors of the 4:25 showing. View from the north looking south at approximately 4:15 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
More than a few cameras were present to record the moment. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 4:20 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
The lights are about to come up, and the show is about to begin. No flash photography is allowed. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 4:25 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Katie Lawhon, in her park service uniform chases Tim Smith, center, and other individuals out of the operating booth after the final show. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
The area in the booth where the show could, and at its inception was, operated manually. View from the southwest looking northeast at approximately 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
The area in the booth where this equipment has operated the show automatically. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
The painting of Joseph Rosensteel which oversaw the map room for decades This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Licensed Battlefield Guides who saw the final show gather in the front lobby. From left: Bobby Housch, Jim Roubal, Jim Tate, Dave Eisenhart, Dave Richards, Ed Guy, Roy Frampton, Dave Hamacher, Larry Wallace, Don Walters, and Tim Smith. Other guides who were present at the show, but were not in the picture were Denny Forwood and Kim Hamacher. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 5:07 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Exiting the Visitor Center for the final time. View from the southwest looking northeast at approximately 5:10 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Chuck Teague guards the doors to make sure nobody else tries to get in the building as the rest of the crowd takes their time getting out. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 5:10 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Another view of those exiting, the building, but not wanting to leave. By the way, a bird nest is growing out of the “R” in the word “Center.” This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 5:11 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Tom Holbrook locks the front doors for the final time. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 5:12 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Eastern employee Bernadette Atkins holds a brick from the old visitor center on her final day of employment here. Bernadette won’t be working at the new visitor center. Good luck at the Farnsworth House bookstore Bernadette! View from the southwest looking northeast at approximately 5:15 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2008.