The concept of public/private cooperation to solve critical problems at Gettysburg has been considered since 1995. For several years the National Park Service has been working with the public to find innovative ways protect its collections, improve its interpretation, and remove two outdated buildings from a place where men fought and died during Pickett's Charge.

"Gettysburg National Military Park is a national treasure," says park Superintendent John A. Latschar. "But the state of our museum collections and archives is a national embarrassment. The current proposal to build a new Visitor Center and Museum will fix our most urgent problems at the least cost to the taxpayer."

After a first-hand look at Gettysburg's preservation problems, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt expressed his support for the public private partnership in November. "I'm sure that's the way to go," Babbitt said. "What is at issue is the nature of the partnership," he said, encouraging the public to get involved in the public review.

The next workshop is Wednesday, February 4, at 7:00 p.m., to discuss the Visitor Center/Museum proposal. On Thursday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m., a public workshop will focus on the park's general management plan. Also, on Friday, February 6, at 7:30 a.m., a special public meeting of the working committee of park partners will discuss both issues. All three meetings will be at the Holiday Inn, 516 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg.

The park Advisory Commission meeting on February 19 will include a special workshop to explore issues and impacts. That meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. at the park's Cyclorama Center. Additional public workshops will then be held in early April, mid-May, and in mid-June.

The National Park Service will soon announce details for three open houses that are planned to invite the public to see the park's resource conditions first hand. The open houses are planned for in late January, mid-February, and mid-March.

An updated informational newsletter has recently been mailed to the park's mailing list of over 4000. The next newsletter will be distributed in late January.

Anyone wishing to be put on the mailing list to receive informational newsletters and notices of upcoming public workshops can contact the Gettysburg National Military Park Public Affairs Office at (717) 334-1124 x452.

Prepared 1/7/98

EDITOR'S NOTE: The meetings scheduled for January 21 and 22 have been rescheduled for the week of February 1, as listed above.

Gettysburg Pa.- Over the next several months, the Superintendent and staff of Gettysburg National Military Park are offering to speak with local and regional civic groups. The talks will focus on plans for a new National Park Service Visitor Center and Museum, and the park's on-going general management plan.

"We'd be happy to address the members of civic, social, historical, and other groups -- large and small -- both about the museum plans and about the General Management Plan," said Superintendent John Latschar.

If your organization is interested, call the park Public Affairs Office at (717) 334-1124 x452.