A Nation At War Traveling Trunk: Introduction

Introduction

GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK

In 1864, before the American Civil War had even ended, the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association was formed. Its primary goal was to acquire and preserve significant land sites that witnessed the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863. The Association performed these duties for over 30 years. In 1895 the United States War Department became the next official caretaker of the battlefield. At that time the government land holdings at Gettysburg amounted to approximately 523 acres. In 1916 the National Park Service was formed, and consisted of mostly large natural historic parks in the western half of the country. Historic sites of national significance, including Gettysburg National Military Park, were placed under the National Park Service in 1933.

Today, the Gettysburg National Military Park consists of more than 6,000 acres on which nearly 1,400 various monuments, markers, and cannon dot the landscape. The purpose of Gettysburg National Military Park is: to preserve, protect and interpret for this and future generations the resources associated with the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War, the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, and their commemorations.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

The National Park Service is a bureau within the United States Department of the Interior, and is: dedicated to conserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Service is also responsible for managing a great variety of national and international programs designed to help extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. There are over 430 units of the National Park Service system nationwide. These units include parks, historic sites, recreation areas, preserves, seashores, lakeshores, scenic rivers, and scenic trails. Thus the National Park Service is the steward of the nation’s natural and cultural heritage. It holds in trust not only the awe-inspiring splendor of the Grand Canyon and the majesty of Mount McKinley, but also ancient Native American ruins and many hallowed battlegrounds. The preservation of these national symbols depends on the successful interpretation of their messages to each generation of Americans.

CREDITS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to acknowledge the creative and financial contributors to the original Traveling Trunk program and the contributors of its successive expansions. Joe Onofrey, Education Coordinator, Gettysburg National Military Park, and Jim Roubal, classroom teacher and Licensed Battlefield Guide conceived of the original program and wrote this guide in conjunction with the following advisors: Nancy Heverly, Bob Appleton, Lyne Aurand, Pat Conrad, Richard Megela, Barbara Onofrey, and Bob Steenstra. Subsequent stations, lessons and films were produced by Barbara J. Sanders, Education Specialist, Gettysburg National Military Park. This most recent version, with the expanded theme of “A Nation at War” includes significant contributions from Rangers John Hoptak, and Jarrad Fuoss.Financial contributions were made to honor the following benefactors:the late Joan Haines was an avid student of Civil War history and felt a special attachment to the Gettysburg battlefield; the family members of Mr. Daniel Engelhardt also made a generous contribution to this project;the project was initially financed largely through a grant from the “Parks as Classrooms” initiative.The first program expansion, to meet the growing demand of the program in schools across the country, was made possible through the financial support of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania with the help of the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg. A second program expansion was coordinated by The Gettysburg Foundation, with the financial contributions of the following: The Tim and Joni Woofter Family Foundation;The 69th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Inc. Civil War Reenactors; The Degenstein Foundation. Scholarships for schools to receive the trunk have been generously provided by:The 69th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Inc. Civil War Reenactors.We hope that the Traveling Trunk program continues to grow and evolveto foster the next several generations of Civil War historians!

A Note To Teachers

Dear Teacher,
Gettysburg National Military Park is pleased to provide you and your students with our “Nation at War” Traveling Trunk. Hopefully it will enrich your studies of the American Civil War, providing your students with added insights into this American tragedy. The contents of the trunk are meant to motivate students to reflect on the life and times of Civil War soldiers, as well as non-combatants such as women, doctors, and President Abraham Lincoln. Through various clothing items, military accouterments, pastime activities, medical tools, primary sources, photographs and film segments, students will be able to better appreciate what it was like to live in a “Nation at War” with itself! Various lessons, activities and film clips have been included in the trunk. We encourage you to use these at your discretion, realizing of course that your school will only be keeping the trunk for two to three weeks. Before and after using the Traveling Trunk, please conduct an inventory. An inventory sheet can be found inside of the trunk. The contents of the trunk have been inspected and initialed by a person at the park. Please contact us if anything is damaged or lost while the trunk is in your possession. The trunks were designed with children in mind so we do anticipate some wear and tear.If you have any questions or problems while you have the trunk, please contact a member of our education staff at (717) 338-4422.Traveling Trunks are excellent supplements to a class curriculum. Those of us at Gettysburg National Military Park hope you find this trunk useful. Please feel free to comment on the evaluation sheet all about your trunk experience and how we can make it better, and return it inside the trunk, along with the completed inventory. Good luck and enjoy the experience!

Barbara J. Sanders
Education Specialist

Theme, Goals, and Objectives

THEME:

Through the traveling trunk experience, students will better understand a nation at war with itself – its causes, battles, and consequences – by learning directly from those involved in, or affected by it, as well as through hands-on class activities, film clips, and discussions.

GOALS:

The goals of this traveling trunk are to:
1). Instill an interest in the American history through hands-on materials and activities, historical identities, and primary sources;
2). Stimulate interest in the life of a Civil War soldier, as well as in women and children of the era,the Medical Corps and other aid workers, and President Lincoln himself;
3). Help create an active classroom environment that fosters critical thinking skills;
4). Place the battle of Gettysburg within the context of the Civil War, and the Civil War within the context of American history;
5). Enhance an appreciation for the National Park’s role as a preserver of our American heritage.

OBJECTIVES:

After using the trunk, participants will be able to:
1.) Describe the clothing, equipment and pastimes of a Civil War soldiers, and verbalize the experience of their daily life;
2.) Recount specific examples of women’s hardships and contributions during the Civil War;
3.) Compare and contrast the knowledge and processes of Civil War doctors and today’s combat physicians and aid workers;
4.) Identify key phrases from President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and place the speech within the context of the Civil War;
5.) Gain proficiency in discussion circles, and using document-based evidence, and other critical thinking skills through practice with the “You Are a Soldier” video links and other trunk materials;
6.) Comprehend the significance of the battle of Gettysburg in relation to the rest of the American Civil War and develop an understanding of the National Park Service’s role in preserving our country’s heritage.

How To Setup Your Traveling Trunk