The Gettysburg Foundation has purchased the George Spangler Farm, protecting this historically significant site within the park from private development.
The 80-acre farm, which is bounded by Granite Schoolhouse Lane and Blacksmith Shop Road and is between Taneytown Road and Baltimore Pike, is located at what was the logistical center of the Union battle line during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. During and after the battle, the site also served as a field hospital, treating Union and Confederate wounded alike and providing the grounds for temporary interment of deceased soldiers. It was at the George Spangler Farm that Confederate General Lewis Armistead died of the wounds he suffered at the High Water Mark on July 3rd. He also was buried there.
The foundation, a park partner, plans to rehabilitate the historic property, including its farm buildings, for use in connection with educational programming and outreach activities of the two organizations. The foundation’s purchase of the property will also ensure preservation of historic woodlands and field patterns, as well as the historic buildings on the site.
A significant amount of rehabilitation will be needed before the site is able to support programming. To assist with these rehabilitation efforts, Tourism Cares, a nonprofit organization that supports volunteer efforts to clean up and restore tourism-related sites, has selected the George Spangler Farm site as the location of its 2009 Tourism Cares for America volunteer effort.
Tourism Cares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that mobilizes the travel and tourism industry to give back to society through grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; through academic and service-learning scholarships for students of hospitality and tourism; and through the organization of volunteer efforts to clean up and restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation.
The Gettysburg Foundation, www.gettysburgfoundation.org, is a private, nonprofit educational organization working in partnership with the National Park Service to enhance preservation and understanding of the heritage and lasting significance of Gettysburg.
