By Emmy Fogle – Marketing Intern
Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum is home to a remarkable collection of artifacts that tell the story of Gettysburg and the surrounding region—from prehistoric times to the present day. With so many stories and artifacts to explore, Beyond the Battle can feel overwhelming at first. That’s why we’ve highlighted ten “can’t miss” artifacts for first-time visitors.
#1 – Dinosaur Tracks (Gallery 1)
Imagine working a long, hard day out in the sun when you come across a rock with unusual markings. That is exactly what happened in 1937 when some workers in Trostle’s Quarry made an incredible discovery—perfectly preserved dinosaur footprints! Dinosaurs roamed the earth millions of years ago, and the Gettysburg area was no exception. The shale rock on display at Beyond the Battle was discovered in Latimore Township, about 15 miles northeast of Gettysburg. A Sauropodomorph, a small plant-eating dinosaur that walks on its hind legs, created these tracks around 215 to 220 million years ago. This is just the start of the incredible array of artifacts you will see when you visit Beyond the Battle.
Dinosaur Footprint from Trostle’s Quarry
#2 – Alexander Dobbin Book (Gallery 3)
Most visitors have eaten, stayed, or at least heard of the historic Dobbin House, but not everyone is familiar with the man behind the name. Alexander Dobbin was an Irish-born minister and educator. He was one of the first settlers in Adams County, building what is now the oldest existing structure in Gettysburg, the Dobbin House, in 1776. A copy of English Theology was printed in London in 1699 and acquired by Dobbin in 1791. The book was just one of the many items that helped Alexander Dobbin succeed in his life and create a legacy that lives on almost 250 years later.
Alexander Dobbin’s Book printed in 1699
#3 – Original Gettysburg Town Lot Map (Gallery 4)
The town of Gettysburg was born from the site of a tavern owned and operated by Samuel Gettys along the Marsh Creek Road. The tavern prospered due to its strategic position along a major route leading to Baltimore. In April 1785, James Gettys purchased 116 acres of his father Samuel’s land and created 210 town lots around the tavern and intersection. He then created a town lot map that was a part of a lottery to create excitement for his town. Those who purchased tickets had the first right to purchase a lot in the town, but the catch was that the lot was randomly assigned. At the museum, you can see the original 1786 lot map on animal hide. This remarkable artifact features the original names of each lot owner. The town of Gettysburg became official on January 10, 1786, when the first rents came due. This map is one of the most significant pieces of Gettysburg history, offering valuable insight into the town’s founding and the lives of its early citizens.
Original Gettysburg Town Lot Map from 1786
#4 – Cross Keys Tavern Sign (Gallery 4)
How do towns and places get their names? The intersection between New Oxford and Abbottstown is one of those spots that makes you pause and wonder about its origins. Today, it is called Cross Keys, but many people are unaware of how it got its distinct name. From 1809 to 1852, the Cross Keys Tavern was operated by Henry Gitt at this very intersection. The intersection is still referred to as Cross Keys even though the tavern is long gone. One of the few remaining pieces of this tavern is a large wooden sign featuring the Cross Keys symbol. This unique artifact tells the story of this area, how it got its name, and why people still refer to it by the same name many years later.
Original Cross Keys Tavern Sign
#5 – Clem Johnson Manumission (Gallery 5)
Gettysburg has had many famous visitors over the years, but did you know that Francis Scott Key was one of them? Key, most often recognized for composing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was a relatively unknown lawyer practicing in Maryland and Washington, D.C. in the 1830s. In 1831, he came to Gettysburg to free one of his slaves, Clem Johnson. Even though he did not practice law in Gettysburg, Key decided to file the paperwork north of the Mason-Dixon Line in order to obtain a free man status for Johnson. Incredibly, the original manumission is on display at Beyond the Battle Museum. This document states that Clem Johnson was free and could go wherever he wanted. The story of Clem Johnson shows us that even prior to the Civil War, Gettysburg played a key role in the freedom of enslaved people.
Clem Johnson’s Manumission
#6 – Mag Palm’s Rocking Chair (Gallery 6)
Our next featured artifact is connected to a woman of immense bravery and strength. Margaret (“Mag”) Palm lived and worked in Gettysburg in the mid-1800s. One night in 1858, as she was traveling home, a group of men attacked her. They were trying to kidnap her and throw her in the back of a wagon, possibly to take her to Maryland or Virginia and force her into slavery. But Palm was known to possess “more than ordinary muscular power.” Miraculously, she was able to fight off her attackers and testified against them in court, becoming a local hero. Today, you can see her rocking chair, passed down through multiple generations, on display in our museum, a testament to a story of strength and perseverance.
Mag Palm’s Chair
#7 – James Culbertson’s Hat (Gallery 6)
Although it might appear unremarkable at first, the hat on display in Gallery 6 of Beyond the Battle Museum tells a remarkable story. On July 2, 1863, James F. Culbertson was shot in the head right behind his right ear and the bullet passed through his neck while he was charging into the Wheatfield. Culbertson was taken to a field hospital where he laid for two days, insensible. He received no medical attention and barely had any energy left in him, yet he managed to walk home to Middle Creek, near Emmitsburg, approximately six miles away. He would survive this wound and live until 1917. The hat that he wore when he was shot was one of his most prized possessions from the war. Today, museum visitors can see the entry and exit holes of the bullet on Culbertson’s hat, scars from a remarkable story of survival and endurance.
James Culbertson’s Hat. The wooden stick shows where the bullet went through
#8 – Cannonball from the Sherfy Tree (Gallery 9)
Trees quietly witness the passage of time over decades and even centuries, but the trees of Gettysburg have likely seen and endured far more than most. At the Sherfy Farm, a few cherry trees were planted by an early settler in 1758. They survived the Battle of Gettysburg, though not without bearing some damage. One of the trees was struck by a 12-pound solid shot that remained in the tree for over 75 years. The cannonball was eventually removed when the tree died. In 1956, a descendant of the Sherfy family donated it to the Adams County Historical Society and it is now on display at Beyond the Battle. This tree witnessed the formation of Gettysburg, the battle that made the town famous, and everything that came after. Don’t miss the chance to see this piece of history.
The Cannonball from the Sherfy Tree
#9 – Gettysburg Address Program (Gallery 10)
One of the most famous speeches in American history is the Gettysburg Address. This was a speech that President Abraham Lincoln gave on November 19, 1863 at the dedication of Soldiers’ National Cemetery. In this short but powerful speech, Lincoln discussed the goals of the Civil War and the nobility of the northern cause. He reiterated the founding principles of our nation – freedom, democracy, and equality for all citizens. Sadly, not everyone realized the Address’s significance at the time and few items were preserved from the dedication. Incredibly, visitors to Beyond the Battle Museum can view one of the original programs from the Gettysburg Address during their visit. Rare items like the Gettysburg Address program are vital to the study of history, offering unique opportunities to engage with and learn from the past.
A Rare Gettysburg Address Program
#10 – Mamie Eisenhower’s Hat (Gallery 12)
When someone mentions presidential history and Gettysburg, 16th president Abraham Lincoln is often the first name that comes to mind. This comes as no surprise as he gave one of the most famous speeches in history on these hallowed grounds.
Since Lincoln’s visit in 1863, many presidents have come to Gettysburg, but none made it their own quite like Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie. Many people wonder why the Eisenhowers decided to move to Gettysburg, but to the Eisenhowers, the reason was simple. The couple fell in love with the area when Dwight was stationed at Camp Colt during the First World War. Gettysburg’s proximity to Washington, D.C. was also a benefit to Dwight’s burgeoning political career. The Eisenhowers purchased their Gettysburg farmhouse shortly before Dwight’s presidency, making Gettysburg a hot seat for government affairs. Mamie became a fashion icon, with many women, locally and nationally, replicating her looks, including her signature hats. One of her hats is on display at Beyond the Battle, highlighting her legacy as a First Lady, homemaker, friend, wife, and mother.
One of Mamie Eisenhower’s Hats
Gettysburg is a town that has more history and stories than just the battle that was fought here. There were dinosaurs, world-renowned speeches, and famous visitors and residents. The artifacts we’ve highlighted here are just a few of the important, fascinating items that tell the full tale of a little town with larger than life stories.
To learn about the vast and diverse history of this famous town and to see more of the interesting and important pieces we have, we invite you to visit the Beyond the Battle Museum in person. For current hours, directions, events, and more, click here.
Photos Courtesy of Gettysburg Images. Check out more amazing photos here.
