This time we parked and popped in not knowing what we would find, and were pleasantly surprised we did. If you have never been, it is a must stop off the beaten track, truly part of the national treasure we have all come to revere and enjoy over the years. The building itself has been there since 1832 and was , during the battle a field hospital that housed some of the famous soldiers of that battle, both North, and South.
Amazingly the organization and museum inside is one of the primary research life bloods of the behind the scenes work that goes into the “National Park Service, Gettysburg battlefield". We know the public face of the Gettysburg battlefield tours with a it’s millions of dollars of justified funding. Not so much money support here for this crucial hard working volunteer force who chooses to stay in the background as a labor of love. The Adams County Historical Society ( achs-pa.org ) is a non-profit run by Wayne Motts Executive director, two part time staffers, and a host of local townspeople who volunteer tremendous hours for free. It is absolutely a must-see tour stop if you value your relevant time in Gettysburg.
This is the official primary document archive and empirical history depository from Gettysburg
and Adams county. An outstanding collection of primary photographs, original letters, deeds, newspapers, and very special one of a kind artifacts are on public display. Want to know if a distant relative was here during the battle? This is where you will find out for sure!
What is remarkable right off the bat, are the hours and hours of of dedication and stewardship these folks put in, they do not want any accolades, they are inspired to do it. Good for us because if they don't it will never get done and valuable history will be lost! Upon visiting you will find these folks are very friendly, yet expert, as they continually protect, restore, secure, and maintain the valuable records, letters, documents, and originals. This collection is the “operating system”, if you will, for much of the on going legacy for movies, universities, schools, and tourism we know as the Gettysburg experience.
Wayne himself, a former long time tour guide at the Gettysburg National Park, is extremely charismatic, enthusiastic, and a tremendous story teller for much of the “human folk lore” one never gets from the “Official tours”. Our visit to this facility went by in a flash and Wayne's commitment to history has inspired me to add this to my weekly blog voluntarily and of my own free will. The primary source artifacts, records, memorabilia,and libraries guarded in this building are for future generations. These never seen outside this building, original items are astonishing when you realize what is protected here! These folks are truly some of the unsung behind the scenes historians that make Gettysburg a wonderful place to visit. Most of the public never will visit this building, and the staff that runs it, yet it is open to the public. Much of what is done here is maintained for historical record, by the locals, who fund this operation on a shoe string and their own pockets.
As I gladly write out my donation check (and heart felt thank you note) to help them keep this treasure alive, I highly recommend you visit here on your next trip, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you will find here, it is the real deal!
SHOULD YOU WANT TO DONATE AND HELP THIS WORTHY ORGANIZATION DIRECTLY, THE ADDRESS IS:
Adams County Historical Society
111 Seminary Ridge
P.O. Box 4325
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
You will feel really great helping this Non Profit that makes a difference, I do! They can do a lot with a little!
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