GETTYSBURG, PA— Join Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS) staff for our annual World War II Weekend from September 19 to 21. The focus of this year’s event will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II by focusing on the people, events, and legacies of 1945. Park rangers, guest speakers, living historians, and partner organizations will bring the events of 1945 to life through three days of interactive programming, tours, and activities for visitors of all ages.
Programming begins the evening of Friday, September 19, and continues throughout the day on Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21. Due to an abundance of caution, Eisenhower NHS will be closed on Friday September 19 during the set-up of the on-site living history camp.
Visit the website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/eise/world-war-ii-weekend.htm
Event highlights include:
Notable guest speakers and historians: Pulitzer-Prize winning historian and author Rick Atkinson will speak Friday evening at the Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) Museum and Visitor Center (free tickets are required, see website for details). On Saturday and Sunday, speakers at Eisenhower NHS will focus on a variety of topics including General George C. Marshall, the U.S. Marine Corps, the island of Iwo Jima, the Women’s Army Corps, surviving the Kamikaze, the flight of the Enola Gay, and a conversation with Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower on the afternoon of Sunday, September 21. A full list of speakers and topics is available on the park website.
Ranger-Guided Walking Tours of WWII burials in Gettysburg National Cemetery: At 5 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, park rangers will offer guided walking tours of Gettysburg National Cemetery, exploring the stories of the 590 fallen World War II soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines buried there. Each evening’s program will have a different focus. Friday night’s theme is stories from the Pacific Theater. Saturday night will focus on casualties from the European Theater. Sunday night will cover those who fought and died in 1945 at the war’s end. Meet at the Taneytown Road entrance to Gettysburg National Cemetery.
1945 Living History Camp at Eisenhower NHS: Visit American and Allied units, as well as groups depicting life on the Homefront, to explore the people and events of 1945. Park rangers will lead guided walking tours of the living history camp throughout the weekend.
Family Activities and Programs at Eisenhower NHS: Kids can pick up a family activity booklet when they arrive, take part in activities throughout the camp, and visit the Family Tent for a special World War II-themed prize.
Special 1945 Museum Exhibits: Visit the Gettysburg NMP Museum and Visitor Center to see exhibits from Naval History and Heritage Command, U.S. Museum of the Navy, the National Museum of the Marine Corps, and Eisenhower NHS. These exhibits explore the people, events, and legacies of 1945, including baseball during World War II.
Eisenhower Home Tours: Free tours of the only home that Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower ever owned are available on both Saturday and Sunday of World War II Weekend.
Please visit our website for more information: www.nps.gov/eise.
How to visit Eisenhower National Historic Site during World War II Weekend:
Weather permitting, free on-site parking for passenger vehicles only will be available at Eisenhower NHS in a farm field accessible from Emmitsburg Road, Business Route 15. For GPS, use 250 Eisenhower Farm Road.
Eisenhower NHS will have accessible parking on-site throughout the weekend.
Bus groups must book shuttles from the Gettysburg NMP Museum and Visitor Center, located at 1195 Baltimore Pike. Visit the Gettysburg Foundation website or call 877-874-2478 to make reservations.
All National Park Service World War II Weekend programming is free of charge. Outdoor programs are weather dependent.