Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Guide 2009 - (Page 22) courtesy of: PA Past Players Gettysburg isn’t the only Pennsylvania locale that played a significant role during the American Civil War. The Hershey Harrisburg region is a major destination for Civil War history buffs. Nestled at the northern-most end of the Shenandoah Valley, our communities played a vital role during the conflict – and in the years that followed. Today, the area is home to a number of historic sites and attractions that draw visitors from across the country. Curtin prepared more than 300,000 soldiers to enter the battle between the states. The historic marker for the site can be found at the intersection of 6th and Woodbine Streets in downtown Harrisburg. Throughout your visit, be on the lookout for the PA Past Players, a touring troupe of professionally trained actors who recreate actual characters from the state’s rich past. Gripping stories, delightful tales and documented occurrences come to life through the words of these performing historians. Find out when they’re touring and where to find them by visiting www.papastplayers.org. Throughout Pennsylvania Dutch Country, travelers will find battlefields, monuments and towns with stories to tell – stories of bravery, strength and the will to fight for one’s beliefs. These are the stories of the American Civil War. The Pennsylvania Civil War Trails are an interactive trip through the history of one of our nation’s darkest times, portraying the real people, places and events that shaped our nation during the bloodiest domestic war in our history. Initiated by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, the statewide Civil War Trails program enables visitors to view a variety of spots significant during the Civil War because of geography, strategic relevance and resources. More information about this program and the designated trails can be obtained by visiting www.visitPA.com/CivilWarTrails. One stop on your historic tour of the area should be The National Civil War Museum. The only museum in the country that portrays both sides of the conflict, The National Civil War Museum shares personal accounts from soldiers, military personnel and the families they left behind. With unflinching honesty, the museum also depicts the experiences of African Americans during the war, delving deeply into our nation’s struggle toward civil rights for all. Exhibits include General Robert E. Lee’s bible and personal items from Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis and Ulysses S. Grant. In total, more than 24,000 artifacts, documents and photos, worth an estimated $20 million, are on display. Next stop: Harrisburg’s historic Camp Curtin. Harrisburg didn’t see any combat during the Civil War, but the city’s Union training camp – the largest one on record – played a pivotal role in the conflict. Camp 22 Hershey Harrisburg Visitors Guide / hersheyharrisburg.org Photo courtesy of: City of Harrisburg http://www.visitPA.com/CivilWarTrails http://www.papastplayers.org http://www.visitPA.com/CivilWarTrails http://www.visitPA.com/CivilWarTrails http://www.visitPA.com/CivilWarTrails http://www.hersheyharrisburg.org
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