How to Tour Pennsylvania's Civil War Battlefields

While most Civil War battles were fought below the Mason Dixon Line, Pennsylvania hosted it's own share of skirmishes and battles. The most significant battles were fought in Gettysburg and Hanover. Today, you can tour both sites and learn more about America's Civil War. Venture out to see other pertinent Civil War sites around Pennsylvania if you have the time. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Visit the Hanover Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce at 146 Carlisle St. in Hanover. Obtain directions and other information about the self-guided walking tour of the Hanover Battlefield. Call [phone] for hours.

2. Take the self-guided walking tour of the Hanover Battlefield. Follow the 18 wayside markers along Frederick Street and Broadway. Waysides identify relevant locations, including the spot where the Confederates invaded Pennsylvania, sites of repeated cavalry charges and the place where General Custer halted Confederate forces.

3. Stop at the Hanover Junction Train Station Museum located in North Codorus Township. The station was occupied by Confederate forces during a bridge burning campaign. Later, the station's telegraph served as a mode of communication between Union forces and Washington D.C. Many wounded solders stopped at the station before being transported to hospitals. Call [phone] for operating hours.

4. Tour the town of Chambersburg, the site of a destructive fire set by the Confederates when the city failed to raise ransom. Start at the Chambersburg Heritage Center. The staff can suggest inexpensive driving tour guides to area Civil War sites. Call [phone] for information.

5. Spend time in the town of Wrightsville. View the Civil War Diorama which tells the story how the local militia thwarted Confederate advances by burning one of the longest covered bridges in the world. Also visit the Historic Wrightsville Museum on 309 Locust St. in Wrightsville. Call [phone] for more information.

6. Plan to spend at least two days in Gettysburg. Start at the Gettysburg Battlefield National Park Visitor Center. Tour the museum and obtain information about the park. Enjoy the park in the comfort of your own car or on a tour bus. You can also hire a Licensed Battlefield Guide.

Tips & Warnings

• Download podcasts to guide you on your tours.

• The Civil War Diorama in Wrightsville is only opened on Sundays.

• If you have extra time, tour the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. For more information, call [phone] or [phone].

Resources

• Obtain podcasts at CivilWarTraveler.
• Find information about the Gettysburg Battlefield National Park.
• Get information about the Civil War in York County.