Experience “An Evening with the Painting” in 2026 at Gettysburg
Popular Program Offers Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access to the Gettysburg Cyclorama.
GETTYSBURG, Pa. (Dec. 16, 2025)—The Gettysburg Foundation invites members, visitors and the local community to experience “An Evening with the Painting” in 2026. Taking place after hours in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, this immersive program offers a behind-the-scenes exploration of the historic Gettysburg Cyclorama—one of the nation’s most significant works of 19th-century art.
Painted in the 1880s by French artist Paul Philippoteaux and a team of assistants, the Gettysburg Cyclorama is a massive, 42-foot-high by 377-foot-long artwork depicting Pickett’s Charge, the dramatic climax of the Battle of Gettysburg. Suspended in-the-round, the painting encircles visitors in a 360-degree, three-dimensional experience that puts them at the center of the battle.
An Evening with the Painting invites guests to explore the story behind the Cyclorama, including its history as a visual medium, the creation and symbolism of the artwork, and the preservation efforts that restored it to its original impact. The program features:
Exclusive platform access for detailed viewing of both near and distant scenesAn under-diorama perspective revealing the structure, artistry and lighting techniques behind the immersive effectInteractive discussion and Q&A with Foundation historians and program experts
Each session starts in the Ford Education Center and lasts about two hours with guided programming. To provide a personalized and engaging experience, attendance is limited to 40 participants per session.
January – September 2026 Program Dates:
All programs run from 5–7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 4-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13, 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, March 21
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, May 23
Saturday, June 27
Tuesday, June 30
Saturday, July 18
Saturday, Aug. 8
Saturday, Sept. 5
Saturday, Sept. 26Ticket reservations may be made by calling the Gettysburg Foundation Guest Relations team at 717-334-2436, by visiting GettysburgFoundation.org or in person at the Ticket Counter in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, Pa. Friends of Gettysburg receive a member rate when purchasing tickets. Program dates in October, November and December will be announced later in 2026.
As the official non-profit partner of the National Park Service at Gettysburg, the Gettysburg Foundation directs proceeds from this program to benefit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.
GETTYSBURG FOUNDATION is a 501(c)(3) non-profit philanthropic, educational organization operating in partnership with the National Park Service to preserve Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site and educate the public about their significance. The Foundation operates the Museum & Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park, as well as the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital, Children of Gettysburg 1863® and the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad StationTM. The Foundation offers customized professional leadership development on the Gettysburg battlefield through its Higher Ground Leadership at Gettysburg programming. For information about visiting Gettysburg or how you can become a Friends of Gettysburg member in support of the Gettysburg Foundation’s preservation and education mission in partnership with the National Park Service at Gettysburg, visit GettysburgFoundation.org or call 877-874-2478. Proceeds from tickets and other purchases in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center and donations to the Gettysburg Foundation benefit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.
