Little Round Top Restoration: Behind-the-Scenes Footage
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- Опубліковано 18 кві 2023
- In July of 2022 Little Round Top at Gettysburg was closed to the public for an 18-month restoration project. Join Garry Adelman of the American Battlefield Trust for this behind-the-scenes look at how the project is coming along.
Special thanks to Gettysburg National Military Park and to Park Ranger Chris Gwinn for helping to make this possible.
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.
I visited Gettysburg in May 2018. I got up early, and drove up to Little Round Top around 5:30am. Standing atop it I was impressed at how much you could see. And how surprisingly quiet it was at that hour. Just the birds chirping, and the breeze whistling between the trees. It made me think of how chaotic it must’ve been. Musket fire, cannons, men shouting directives, and the incredible amount of smoke from the guns. Quite a contrast from where I stood that morning. I couldn’t help but say a prayer, that all those lost were at peace.
Going places like that at dawn is always a good idea
I dragged my poor wife to many Civil War Battlefields and she endured it. We ran across a ranger on Little Round Top and after his talk she looked over the valley and shed a tear for the soldiers who had to climb it. She never forgot that trip. Gettysburg changes every time I go there and always for the better! Thank you all for all you have done!
I'm for anything that returns this battlefield to what it was during the actual battle - as close as possible - while allowing people safe, reliable access to the greatest battlefield in U. S. history.
Were thinking alike. Make the battlefield look as much as possible as it did in 1863. Safe for tourists but in as unobtrusive way as practical.
This makes me so happy. Gettysburg is one of those very few places I can actually see will be better for my children and their future children rather than “used to be better.” It’s so great!
I miss the park being open until 10pm so much. There is nothing like the full moon on Big Round Top.
One of the reasons that I have preferred to go out to Sharpsburg as opposed to Gettysburg is because of the commercialism and how much the battlefield is actually changed. This is absolutely fantastic, over the last 10 years or so there has been such an effort to restore the Gettysburg Battlefield to mid-nineteenth century conditions. I personally can't wait until they start working over on the culp's Hill area. There is much to be done over there as well.
Gary, this was a fantastic update on what's being done at Gettysburg. Thank you!
I visited Gettysburg for in September 2022 for the first time since 1973. I was disappointed that Little Round Top was closed, it was the main reason I returned, but I understood it needs to be preserved and improved. It just gives me a reason to return again in a few years.
It's awesome to see the improvement and restoration of the land to its 1863 appearance. Thank y'all both for this short video of what's going on.
I have taken the trip there twice from upstate New York , we love it ! My 2 girls have taken the horseback tour they thought was great . We have visited every site the was to see , our first visit we ran into an encampment of union soldiers which really made the visit special ,we really enjoyed Devil's den , the cemetery , the Jenny Wade house and the Seminary Ridge Museum . All the shops in the village , we even took a ride north to Harrisburg , to visit the Civil War museum .
Glad to see this! Reducing the tree lines certainly help. I know I understand the ground at Culps Hill much better because of the past work there. Plus it looks like foot traffic will flow much better too. Anybody that’s gone up there at sunset will appreciate these improvements
I remember when they discovered the forest at the bottom of Little Round Top wasn't actually there in 1863, so they removed at the trees. It was really controversial at the time, but now it looks great, and it's nice knowing it's more historical this way.
@mikeomatic9905 I can Imagine on how that went.
I hope they do a good job. Gettysburg battlefield is (ironically) a beautiful place, and Little Round is one of the most visited spots.
Excellent video and presentation of the Battle of Little Round Top. Thanks to both of you.
Always appropriate to put back both Federal and Confederate memories, so people can be inspired to ask questions when they see those. Glad to see the restoration!
Great restoration of this Battle site. Thank you Garry 💯❤️
Thanks Gary. This has been a long time coming, a vision of how to preserve this special place had been developing for a decade. So much effort and planning, down to the stone walls, the rifle pits, and accepting that post battle conditions weren’t sustainable because you can’t preserve a ruin as a ruin. The reality that physical and programmatic accessibility needs required by federal law were not being met and had to be. The passion of key donors to the Gettysburg Foundation helped make this possible. I’m so glad to see where this is going, and so thankful that you were able to share this with all of us.
Was there just this past weekend 15&16th of April, and just sat there looking at Little Round Top and the new beaver lake as well!
Sucks it’s closed down(we celebrate new years in Gettysburg) but glad that it’s being preserved and hoping that these endeavors make it easier to visit
Awesome that this is happening. I’ve never been to Gettysburg, but hope to visit one day. My 4th Great Grandfather (and his brother) fought in C Company the 5th Texas Regiment. He was bayonetted in the chest somewhere around “The Saddle” between Devil’s Den and Little Round Top. After the battle, he and his brother were captured at Cashtown and taken to Fort Delaware as POWs. I’d love to make it up there and walk the same ground.
Please plan a trip to visit Gettysburg. Go in the off season and spend some time there. For us it was a spiritual experience.
Excellent- so glad that this important historical ground is being restored to its former state so generations to come can visit!!
Visited Little Round top in April 2022. Struggled through the battlefield much less than the 15th of Alabama did in 1863. Probably because we didn't have to face the 20th of Maine.
Amen and Amen. I was there in 2019. Little Round Top was overgrown and over crowded. I'm glad this investment has been made.
Thanks for the update! I had no idea about the “repair” of the hill. It looks great especially the walls and cleared woods.
I must visit Gettysburg from the UK and hopefully soon!
Well if you do go to Gettysburg I think you will really like it and who knows you might fall in love with the battlefield and the history of the area and the roles 🇬🇧 that England, Scotland and Ireland played at the battle of Gettysburg like the defensive role that colonial David Ireland of Scotland played in the fighting at culps hill, the role that the 1st New Jersey Cavalry played in the battle and even though the 1st New Jersey Cavalry wasn’t from 🇬🇧 one of their commanders was however Ireland played a role in the battle on two parts of the battlefield and these two parts are on the southern end of the battlefield and the parts that Ireland played in the battle took place at little round top and the wheat field and at little round top Colonel Patrick Henry O’Rorke of county Cavan led the men of the 140th New York infantry regiment in the defense of little round top however O Rourke would be struck in the neck and die and King Louis Philippe of France’s grandson said in a book that he wrote that the role that O Rourke played in the battle was one of the most striking and dramatic episodes of the battle however the second part that Ireland played in the battle took place in the wheat field where the Irish brigade under the command of Patrick Kelly of county Galway held its ground under overwhelming pressure for a lengthy period of time with just nearly 600 men in the brigade at the time of the battle of Gettysburg.
@@chasechristophermurraydola9314 thank you for this information, I wasn’t aware of this. I will definitely visit Gettysburg and the battlefield!
A little pain now will ensure many years of pleasure and education to come. Glad the work is being handled professionally and respectfully.
What are the most peaceful, and calming places I've ever visited. Glad to see they are fixing it
Great stuff! Thanks for this update, ABT!
VTH in the house.
Gettysburg battlefield is one of my favorite places in the world. Keep up the good work so future generations will be able to enjoy it
Been to Gettysburg several times. The latest was in the Spring when the redbuds floated like clouds along the slope of Little Round Top- where, some aver, the 20th of Maine saved the Union.
Can't wait to get back up to Little Round Top. Thanks guys for posting this.
Well done, Park Service, thank you...Looked a whole lot different on my first visit there around 2006'...
As someone who also takes bus tours up there I'm crossing my fingers for more bus spaces! Thanks for the update ABT team!
Gary thank you for the update! It’s great to know such care is taken.
The last time I was at Gettysburg, I decided to use the bus tour. It was a very insightful tour. The NPS was in the process of installing some new monuments. It was a very insightful experience. I particularly like the way... while at Antietam... how they marked each stone and its position to reconstruct Burnside's Bridge. Although I do metal detecting and I appreciate the history of our country, I applaud the American Battlefield Trust to preserve the integrity of some of our darkest years.
Sir, I dare say that this might have been one of our country's brightest moments. At Gettysburg, tens of thousands gave their lives to prove the idea that all men truly are created equal. It is a shame that it came to bloodshed to prove that point. Our founding fathers wrote a check that future generations had to pay with blood
so the state can go in and "preserve" history but not the people?? they can dig but will lock those of us who detect in a cage if we try?/ isnt our nations history for all the people? I think its disgusting these "improvements". its nothing more than removing whats natural to plow and replace it with make jobs for public employees. Not one bathroom,not one road...nothing should have been done.
Can't wait to see final project!
Thanks for sharing. So glad they can get this done!
Thank you for the update.
Preservation in action, this needed done and looks like it's progressing nicely Garry.
Always good to see restoration of important sites, especially when the wear and tear were starting to show. More access and better safety are good goals. See you there.
Thank you!! As much as I love Gettysburg I am so happy and cannot wait to see this when it's all done!! ❤
The view from Little Round Top is so very instructive about the flow of the battle. I'm taking my son to Gettysburg next month and I'm devastated that he won't be able to see that vista. But I understand why it's important. I hope to bring the whole family back once its reopened.
It's exciting to see the progress being done, I can't wait for it to be reopen to see in person.
Preserve and Protect. You all do Great work. Appreciate it not just for us now, but for future generations to see.
Thank you
It looks so much better already! Can’t wait to get back up there!
I am SO happy to see this! I was up at Little Round Top in December of 2021 & I was really quite worried I was going to trip and fall on an uneven layer of pavement or some random rock sticking out of the ground. I can absolutely respect leaving such sacred ground untouched, however I agree with the amount of foot traffic seen on that hill, accidents can happen.. That being said, I'm glad we have the Trust to properly preserve this hill.
Thanks for the update
Awesome update thank you
Even if it takes two years, it will be worth the wait.
It’s going to be so nice when it’s finished. They’re doing a get job. Thank you for the up date.
Keep up the great work! 🇨🇦
Thank you!! I’ll be back this year.
Well said and done Gary
As he said in Killer Angels , Better spread out, or it could be a hard day for Mother
Thank you for bring us this video, informative and interesting to see how this is shaping up, cheers!😎👍
Nice video and a important project to protect and restore American history. Thank you for posting
Hi from Germany 🙏
Thanks!
Thank you Frank!
SAVE OUR BATTLEFIELDS AMERICA 🇺🇸
I'd love to have ghost hunters up here intereveiwing and taking in observations. With the legends of Gettysburg ghost a part of the battlefield, it would seem logical to do something of that nature.
Blessings to all. God Rest the fallen of the 20th Maine and 10th Alabama: all heroes.
I have not been to Gettysburg in a while and I am holding off till next year ,spring 2024 the work should be finished by then. See you then Billy Yank.
I reenact one of the regiments of V Corps, AotP and my company [Co. C, 4th US Inf.] came out to the 150th ten years ago.
NPS and the Battlefield Trust had done a lot of work back then, and I'm glad to see that more work is being done.
Love this
Fantastic
I went to Little Round Top about a year ago. My buddy took a great pic of me standing on one of those rocks flipping off the Valley of Death. Should see it.
Love this ❤
I’m going the second it’s done. I’ve NEVER been!
great job
I went there a few ago, sucks that I couldn’t see it but I know it’s for the best
I stood on Little Round Top in 1990. It was thickly wooded, and it's an incredibly small space for such a decisive battle.
That is why it's the perfect place to study and learn some aspects of warfare. Gettysburg is considered a pocket battlefield. My skipper in the Navy took his classes there while he was at the US Naval Academy. We had some interesting conversations. I don't know what happened to him, but he was a sailor's sailor. Captain Tryon.
I have been to little round top! You really had to Pay attention to your walk
Glad they’re doing it but selfishly sorry b/c taking my 21 and 18 year old boys to Gettysburg for the first time in May.
Nice!
Did they replace the numerous boulders that were ground up during the post-war years for path gravel? Period photos placed the 20th Main stone walls in different locations than where they were currently.
I wish Petersburg and Richmond Virginia would capitalize on their War Between the States like Gettysburg has. There a lot of tourism money that could be made . The city of Richmond would rather destroy its past than capitalize on the tourism. The statues that they removed should be installed in to the battlefield for all to see. I guarantee people will come.
Well, thanks for the heads up -- I guess I won't waste my time visiting this year.
I've been hanging around Willoughby Run for the last few visits. If you haven't read a book called Covered In Glory. It's about the 26th North Carolina and probably the thickest fighting seen on the battlefield. Anyway, they crossed at Willoughby Run and ran straight into the Iron Brigade. It's really a horror story but it pulled me away from the star of the show, that being Little Round Top. There are other spots to visit and over the years I've gotten more interested in other battles within the battle. But I love the story of the 26th. If I remember they may have the only marker placed at Gettysburg by the south.
I wish they would limit the number of visitors to places like this to lower the impact on them. The one thing I don't like to see in these places is concrete walkways and sidewalks. As a veteran, I like to visit these places to get a feel for how they made decisions on the battlefield during the fighting. It is hard to do with concrete and pavement everywhere. I understand why it's done. I wish it didn't have to be. I always prefer to see a hard pack walkway instead of concrete and handrails. Having said that, with the number of visitors and the fact that money is needed for upkeep, the way they do it is probably for the best and benefits more people. I applaud any effort to preserve these sites.
I hope they go back and fix the 3 loose new steps we found on the Devils Den staircase
I don’t think staircases and sidewalks belong on a historic site such as this. It should be preserved in the condition it was at the time of the event and not updated to reflect modern conveniences
Closing it down for repair.
Hey Gary! Thanks for the update. Is there anything in the restoration plan include a trail up the north face of LRT so visitors can get a sense of the engagement from both sides, a la the Pickett’s Charge trail?
Do you know if any artifacts have been found while doing this?
When i hear are things appropriate to put back I immediately know southern history will be removed.
At 4:41, one has the same view Federal troops had of the rebel forces massing in front of the ridge in the far distance for the rebel attack on LRT, the Triangular Field, Devil's Den, and the Rose Woods.
Are they making access to the 20th Maine's Co. B marker any easier? Last I knew you had to cross private property to get to it.
I hope the park service is prepared for all the hate they are going to get this summer when they fail to be open for the 160th anniversary of the battle.
I am super happy to see the progress. But I am especially ecstatic that the NPS is allowing the pond at the base of LRT to grow. We need a cool place to take a dip on those hot and humid Summer days. Way to go Superintendent Steve Sims and Deputy Superintendent Kristina Heister!! 🙄
Thanks for update. Did I miss it? When is the planned reopening?
This area has been closed for how long and you are only half way through? How long till folks can come visit again?
I waited 35 years to stand where Gen. J. Chamberlain stood. But it figures that when I had the chance to visit Gettysburg, I couldn’t go on the trail.
I want to go back there but I am going to wait until it is all done I understand why it is being done but it is sad that they cut back the tree line and seeing it like this it break my heart seeing construction done on the battlefield like this I just hope they do not remove any of the earth works or reposition any thing it was meant to be left alone Chamberlain and the 20th Maine would be upset seeing this
The tree lines are being thinned to a better approximation of the conditions during the period. The entire battlefield is overgrown and needs a great deal of clear cutting, at this point.
The ecology of wildlife is in the video in the valley below Little Round Top. A family of beavers has made its home. Park Service has commented they will not remove unless the water disturbs roadways.
Looks like great work and a great idea,
It's a shame national parks have to beg for money when douch is simply wasted.
When is the work scheduled for completion?
Thank you for all the videos and information,
Heard rumors of a Texas Trail...
I understand the need to accommodate more foot and vehicle traffic, but I wonder what resources are being used to put the area back to what it looked like in 1863. Considering the amount of construction done to that area in the late 1800’s what with train lines and such, how can anyone be sure that Little Round Top looks anything like it did during the battle.
Good video. Two comments:
1. The purpose of preserving battlefields is not making more park rangers. The purpose is teaching the lessons of history.
2. The Part Service should consider rebuilding the tower atop Big Round Top. With trees surrounding it, a tower would not disturb the skyline, and it would offer spectacular views of the battlefield, including the site of the cavalry engagement.
Thank you.
The tower was originally taken down because few people visited the tower. Of those few who climbed the mountain, fewer then wanted to climb the tower. I would want to see it rebuilt though, perhaps with improved access to the trail up.
Sucks people can’t visit Little Round Top. How many years will it be closed?
Was Little Round Top fortified with stone walls in certain locations when the battle took place?
No, just after the Main fighting ended, but before some of the skirmishing and sharpshooting picked up
✌
While we are waiting, think of it as an opportunity to visit lesser-known battlefields that could use more visitors...
When will this be open. I'm a 5th Texas civil war reenactor, and I would like to take my 12 year old there before he goes to college.